Are QR codes safe to scan?
Short answer
A QR code is just a link, so it is as safe as the website it opens. Check the address your camera shows before opening it, and be cautious with codes on stickers placed over parking meters or posters, or codes sent by email asking you to sign in.
The details
Attackers use QR codes because many email filters do not read them and because a phone screen hides the full address. A code that leads to a sign-in page or a payment form deserves the same suspicion as any unexpected link.
Where possible, pay or sign in through the official app instead of a scanned code.
What to do
- Preview the URL before opening it.
- Avoid codes that look stuck on top of another code.
- Never enter passwords or card details from a code you received unexpectedly.
Useful next reads and tools
- Suspicious URL Analyzer · tool
Terms explained
- Phishing
- Phishing is a fraudulent message, usually email, that impersonates a trusted sender to trick people into revealing credentials, paying money or running malware.
Sources
Related questions
- How can I tell if an email is a phishing attempt?
- What should I do if I clicked a phishing link?
- Where do I report a phishing email or scam text?
- How do I know if a package delivery text is a scam?
- What is smishing and how is it different from phishing?
- How do I protect myself from phone call scams (vishing)?
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