QR codes used for mobile marketing may expose customers to security
breaches. A few simple precautions taken by both businesses and
customers will guarantee safety and transaction security.
QR
codes are one of the most appealing mobile marketing strategies in
today's world of advertising. However, some entities use these codes for
malicious purposes. Businesses and customers should not hesitate to
take advantage of this remarkable communication method. However, both
entities need to take precautions that will ensure the protection of
customer information.
Malicious QR codes may be used to connect
customers to phishing websites. Also, malicious QR codes may connect
customers to malware. One story of QR code malware involves a customer
who tried to download an application from a website given by a QR code.
The website instead directed the customer's smart phone to send numerous
text messages to a fraudulent text message service. For each text, the
customer was charged several dollars.
How Businesses Can Protect Their Customers
--Alert customers about what they should expect when using a QR code.
Some text adjacent to the code should tell customers if they will be
directed to a coupon or to a website. When customers know what to
expect, they will be suspicious if they are directed somewhere
different.
--Use a short domain. The domain used for the
connected website should be short enough to fit on the screen of the
customer's smart phone. Short domains make customers feel more confident
about visiting a website.
--Use security to protect online
transactions. Hypertext Transfer Protocol with Secure Sockets Layer
technology, or HTTPS, will help to keep online transactions safe. If the
website connected to the QR code will require customers to input
sensitive information, then HTTPS should be used.
How Customers Can Protect Themselves
--Preview the connection. Many smart phone apps provide not only the
ability to scan a code but also the ability to preview the connected
webpage. Customers should install these apps so that they can always see
where their browser is pointed. If the website looks suspicious
(spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, etc.), then customers should not
click because the site could be a phishing site.
--Back up
smart phone information. Usually, smart phone information is always
backed up anytime the user connects the phone to a computer. However,
some users don't make a habit of regularly syncing their information to
their PCs. If a malicious website destroys smart phone information, then
consumers will be able to replace the information as long as they have a
backup source.
--Use caution when banking or conducting
transactions on a smart phone. Smart phones may store a variety of
sensitive contact and financial information. Not only hackers but also
pickpockets may get access to that information if a smart phone is
penetrated or stolen. Even someone looking over a user's shoulder can
read credit card information in a public place.
QR codes
provide a dynamic opportunity for both companies and businesses. With
just a few precautions, businesses will protect customer information,
and customers will protect their smart phone against malicious attacks.