While most QR codes are perfectly safe to scan with any device, as with anything digital, there do come some risks involved. In particular, codes can link to malicious websites that steal your information, install bloatware on your device, or even allow viruses to infect your system. In most cases, your device’s default web browser will either issue a warning to not proceed with the link or not allow access all together, though there are cases where malicious codes can break through this layer of security.
While most users should be fine using the default QR scanner in their device’s camera, along with their own judgment, others may want to add an extra level of security when they scan a code. For this reason, several safe QR scanner apps exist to provide extra protection to a user’s device and information. In this piece I will go over 5 of the most popular QR code scanner apps and let you decide if a product like this is right for you.
Effortlessly create, customize, and monitor dynamic QR codes.
The Safe QR scanner from Trend Micro is relatively bare bones in terms of features, but that is exactly what many users want. The app is compatible with Android and iOS devices, and is available free for both platforms on their respective stores. The app works just like the default camera scanner on most mobile devices, all you need to do is point the camera at the code and tap the link when it pops up.
When the app detects that the code is linked to a malicious site, it will alert the user and give them the option either to scan another code or to proceed anyway, despite potential risks. In addition to this app, Trend Micro offers a variety of other cyber security services for mobile devices, including antivirus, VPS, and scam protection.
For a more feature packed scanner, users may want to check out the QR and Barcode Scanner from Gamma Play. This app not only lets you scan QR codes, but traditional barcodes as well, on just about anything that might have a code.
Additionally, users can access their scanning history, get more information from each code, and copy links to send to others. However, while this is another free app, it does contain some banner ads that can get annoying to swipe away when you’re trying to scan.
Another free-with-adds QR scanner available on Android and iOS is the one made by Digital Alchemy. This app allows users to not only scan QR codes, but also to customize and make their own. In addition, users can access a scan history and share codes with others.
There are some downsides however. As of now, it doesn’t seem like this app is any more secure than a default camera scanner, potentially opening up the possibility of a device becoming infected from a malicious code. In addition, the ads also dampen the user experience.
For an app that does more than just scan codes, users may want to look to Google Lens. This App lets you scan just about anything, including QR codes, to get more information. You can take a picture of an object you want to purchase to bring up a store website, translate foreign text, Find more information on plants or animals you see outside, and more.
In terms of security though, the app doesn’t seem to provide any more protection than other Google products, like search and Chrome, so it’s up to the user and the built in safety measures of Chrome to ensure safety. User’s may also be apprehensive about using an app from Google, which has had some controversy regarding personal data and breaches.
While most users will be fine with using the default camera app on their device for scanning QR codes, others may want more features, including more security, the ability to scan more than just QR codes, and to be able to create and share codes. The examples listed above are just some of the many QR code scanners available for mobile devices, though these three are the best, at least in my opinion.
Users looking for an alternative QR scanner should still be careful, both when searching for an app as well as scanning codes. There are a few fraudulent QR scanners out there that can steal your data or infect your device. In addition, some malicious codes can get through multiple levels of security. Remember to use your own good judgment and common sense when interacting with anything regarding technology, whether it be apps, websites, or QR codes.
Effortlessly create, customize, and monitor dynamic QR codes.
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