QR codes are really rubbish

[sufi]

1. whose idea was it to make this non-human readable thing?
2. what's to stop you from scanning the code for the hipster menu or public info display and then replacing it with a sticker with a code diverting to a malware attack on the way to the genuine destination?? that seems like a simple hack

 

[sufi]

also on the topic of misconceived tech solutioneering

what3words is not scalable

Why bother with What Three Words?

shkspr.mobi

 

[sufi]

2. what's to stop you from scanning the code for the hipster menu or public info display and then replacing it with a sticker with a code diverting to a malware attack on the way to the genuine destination?? that seems like a simple hack

"qishing" & "attagging"

How attackers exploit QR codes and how to mitigate the risk

Attackers are taking advantage of the increased use of QR codes to steal sensitive information or conduct phishing campaigns. Here's what security teams and employees need to know.

www.csoonline.com

 

[Clinamenic]

1. whose idea was it to make this non-human readable thing?
2. what's to stop you from scanning the code for the hipster menu or public info display and then replacing it with a sticker with a code diverting to a malware attack on the way to the genuine destination?? that seems like a simple hack

You mean like physically replacing the QR at a restaurant with one that leads to a malicious site? I think that’s how you’d have to do it, not sure it’s possible to reroute an existing one, because they seem to be one QR permutation perk link, but maybe there are services out there that let you keep a constant QR but change the link, and if there are services like that, they can be hacked.

 

[sufi]

just print a sticker that redirects to the bad place

 

[mixed_biscuits]

I've just invented a holographic 3D QR code that sends you to a different site depending on the angle at which you view it.

 

[sufi]

I've just invented a holographic 3D QR code that sends you to a different site depending on the angle at which you view it.

actually making the code a fancy hologram is a good way to stop stickers being stealthily swapped, but that would be costly and defeats the object somewhat?

Can't smartphones read normal text these days anyway??

 

[sufi]

Can't smartphones read normal text these days anyway??

e.g. this intrusive sounding gadget does OCR

Google Keep

We all know Google’s Keep as the cloud-based note-keeping app, a close competitor of Evernote and OneNote.
Google keeps updating the app from time to time. An interesting feature it provides, along with note-keeping, is its capability to capture the text from images.
Google Keep uses the camera and grabs the text from images. But it can do so only if the image is captured from the app.
Once the image is obtained, the text is quickly captured and stored in digital format in a note.
The text is available to the users without having to type in anything manually. The users can then delete the image from the note.
Once the text is extracted, it automatically synchronizes with the cloud on every device associated with the account.
Available for iOS and Android both, Google Keep is a free and ads-free app just like OneNote.

If mobiles can already read text then QR codes are obsolete

 

[sufi]

If mobiles can already read text then QR codes are obsolete

as well as annoying

 

[Clinamenic]

e.g. this intrusive sounding gadget does OCR

If mobiles can already read text then QR codes are obsolete

I mean, they’re still useful for facilitating access to a website. I’ve got a couple stickers with QR codes leading to my website, but if I could just have “clinamenic.com” written on the sticker, and mobile phones could detect that and automatically treat it as a hyperlink, that would seem to make QRs obsolete.

 

[WashYourHands]

as well as annoying

have to actually print an e-ticket for a coming event, basking in a stone-age Nokia wonderland

 

[mixed_biscuits]

Harder to do a good URL jump scare without a qr code.

 

[sufi]

 

[Clinamenic]

Is this broken image preview meant to illustrate how rubbish QR codes are?

 

[sufi]

Is this broken image preview meant to illustrate how rubbish QR codes are?

yeah more or less

 

[william_kent]

here's an article on "how to read QR codes without a computer"

it may be a skill worth cultivating as from 2027 QR codes are likely to replace barcodes on retail products

 

[mixed_biscuits]

here's an article on "how to read QR codes without a computer"

it may be a skill worth cultivating as from 2027 QR codes are likely to replace barcodes on retail products

Oh yes, everybody can read barcodes after all. I wonder why they bother with all that writing on the packaging, cos no-one looks at it.