New QR Code Format Helps Users Spot Secure Websites and Avoid Scams
QR codes are everywhere—from parking meters to product labels. While they make life easier, they also attract cybercriminals. These scams, known as “quishing,” happen when bad actors replace real QR codes with fake ones, tricking people into entering sensitive information on fake sites that look legitimate.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a solution: self-authenticating dual-modulated QR codes, or SDMQR codes. This new technology alerts users if they are heading to a trustworthy site or a scam. Details of this innovation are shared in a recent study in the journal IEEE Security & Privacy.
SDMQR codes enhance security by allowing companies to register their links and add a cryptographic signature within the QR code. When someone scans the code, the decoder checks if the link is from a verified source. It clearly indicates whether it’s safe to click or if it’s risky.
The great thing about SDMQR codes is that they don’t disrupt how existing QR codes work. Gaurav Sharma, a professor in electrical and computer engineering, explains the importance of this seamless integration. Making changes that could confuse users can be a major hurdle.
Visually, SDMQR codes are similar to regular QR codes but use elongated shapes instead of the usual black and white squares. Today’s smartphone cameras can easily read these advanced designs, allowing more information to be packed into each code.
Sharma and his colleague, Irving Barron, are excited about the potential for this technology. They’ve filed a patent and received a National Science Foundation I-Corps grant to explore practical uses, like replacing standard UPC barcodes with these new QR codes.
Beyond just shapes, the team is also experimenting with color in QR codes. This could let a single code lead users to multiple destinations. Companies are interested in these innovations, looking to upgrade packaging by using branded QR codes that take up less space while offering more information.
“Many companies are moving away from traditional UPC barcodes to more flexible QR codes,” says Sharma. “Our technology helps them fit more information into a smaller space.”
