What is a QR code?
This is a first question that
comes to anyone’s mind who has never heard of it. QR code, Is that a type of
barcode? What is the difference between a barcode and a QR code?
QR code is quick response code.
Standard barcodes keep track of inventory. A QR code on the other hand is used
for technological purposes, basically to get more information about the product.
Unlike barcodes which represent numerical data, QR codes can represent numeric,
alphanumeric, byte/binary, Kanji symbols and many more. These are used extensively
for marketing and advertisement. There is no data a QR code cannot store. These
codes can be scanned easily by using scanner apps available on Smartphones.
Whenever a code is scanned, a URL or phone number appears immediately. Though
the standard looks of QR codes are black and white, customized codes are
becoming more popular these days.
Past:
QR codes are new in the field of
technology. This code system was invented in 1994 by Toyota’s subsidiary Denso
Wave. They used these codes to track the vehicle parts during manufacture.
Initially, they were widely used in Japan but now, they have gained enough
popularity in other countries.
Present:
Due to their ability to store
huge capacities of data in different forms and speed they have flourished
beyond the automobile industries. In recent times, Smartphones have scanners
that scan the code and the information linked to it appears on the phones
instantly.
Future:
QR codes are being used
frequently in society, but in few years they will be used everywhere as a way
to provide more information to consumers. It is estimated that large population
would have learnt about QR codes and make use of them to gain needed
information. Eventually, this will lead to rise of smartphones and technical
sales and economy. People believe that the use of QR codes will push the
technological limits far beyond the extremely technical world we live in today.
We discussed about the past, present and future
and understood the importance of using QR codes. But, a system cannot be perfect.
SECURITY is always a major issue. How can security be an issue with QR codes?
We have seen that QR codes can be used everywhere. Let us say you see an advertisement
of a new restaurant with its QR code that will take you to their website once
you scan the code. An attacker can easily paste different sticker on top of the
poster. When you scan the code, it will directly take you to the attacker’s
website and might download malicious files without you even realizing it.
Consequences of security breach can be really bad. So, what can you do to be
safe? One simple solution would be to make sure your QR code reader has the
ability to show you where it is taking you. Also, it gives you the flexibility
to choose if you want to visit the site or not. There are many more code
readers which address different security issues. Get the one that is most secure
yet serves the purpose.
Sources:
I was surprised when you mentioned companies can use the social media to connect with their employes since most companies use them to promote and build brand loyalty among its customers and to influence opinion and perception of general public. I am not sure if any big corporation uses these venues to communicate and connect with their employees.
ReplyDeleteHowever private social networks are all the rage these days SalesForce.com's chatter is very popular and used by companies like Toyota, and even Microsoft recently bought a private social networking software company Yammer for a billion dollars. Also software similar to StackExchange where developers technical answer quuestiosn
I really enjoyed reading this article, it was well written. It was nice how you first gave a background on QR codes then proceeded to talk about their past, present, and future impact. It is true that their utility will rise as time goes on because they are getting more and more recognized. I had not really considered security risks associated with QR codes, but after reading your article I have a better idea of what those might look like.
ReplyDeleteGood work customizing the QR code!
ReplyDeleteI would like to say something from the point of view security. You have a very valid point when you that the QR codes could be easily removed or replaced by a QR code pointing to a malicious website which might to harmful things. However what needs to be understood is that the flaw that you point out is not really a flaw with the QR code but rather in the way that the QR is used. Irrespective, it does bring into light the security aspects that need to be taken care of.
I really like the way you provide a complete background about QR codes. This is a very comprehensively written blog post.
Hi Santrupti,
ReplyDeleteThat is a good work about the introduction and analysis about QR codes. The introduction is brief but can give people a very clear thought of what QR codes are. You also make a list to list the past, present and future about QR code and I think your analysis is good, too.
However, In your "future" analysis, I just get some confused with that. Because you just said that QR code could become more fashion without any reasons. Actually I just can't ensure that QR codes have a good future because there has been some new, more convenience ideas and techniques. So I think at least you can give some reasons according to your own point of view.
But still an awesome work. Thanks for you work!