Please check this detail carefully when scanning the QR code to avoid scams and hacking.

Although QR codes are very practical in everyday life, they can also pose great dangers. Here’s what you should check to avoid getting scammed.

QR codes have invaded our daily lives. Various packaging, advertising, food and non-food products, restaurants, hotels, places with public Wi-Fi… we find them everywhere. They are actually very practical for providing access to additional information about a product or service, or for automatically connecting your smartphone to a Wi-Fi network without having to enter a complex password. Simply point your mobile phone camera at it to display the corresponding page or launch an application. And it is this ultra-simple aspect that can put your personal data at risk.

A QR code is actually nothing more than a graphical shortcut that is recognized by your camera software. It usually hides the Internet address, but can also include information needed to download a file or automatically connect a mobile phone to a Wi-Fi network. And when you scan the QR code, little information is displayed on the screen. Typically, if it’s a website, only the beginning of the address (URL) is shown in clear text, and all you have to do is click on it to access the site. However, an extra step can prevent you from making a mistake when connecting to a questionable site and avoid downloading viruses.

Also, it is best not to directly click on the address displayed after scanning the QR code. On Android, tap the little up arrow at the end of the address. On iPhone, tap the QR code icon to the right of the address. The full URL of the site will be displayed on the screen, to which the QR code will redirect you. You can then check to see if it’s a strange address and, if in doubt, copy it and send it to a verification service like VirusTotal, which will tell you whether it’s a phishing or scam attempt, for example.

Also be wary of QR codes that allow you to automatically connect to a public Wi-Fi network. There’s nothing to suggest that this network, which is available for free, isn’t the work of a hacker looking to siphon data from your smartphone. And there, unfortunately, no verification is possible… unless you ask the owner of the premises whether he is really the creator of this Wi-Fi network.