Scan the QR code

Cobra

Cobra

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I received a letter from the NHS recently ( I'm sure it was genuine )
Something to do taking part in a blood survey, maybe because I used to be a donor, but TBH I don't know for sure because
the first lines had something about scan the QR code to get started.
That's the point I lost interest and read no further.

What is it with these QR codes, from saving money on your shopping
To just about everything connected with modern life?
 
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Cobra said:
I received a letter from the NHS recently ( I'm sure it was genuine )
Something to do taking part in a blood survey, maybe because I used to be a donor, but TBH I don't know for sure because
the first lines had something about scan the QR code to get started.
That's the point I lost interest and read no further.

What is it with these QR codes, from saving money on your shopping
To just about everything connected with modern life?
Click to expand...

It's just easier than giving a link someone has to enter - you can go straight from hard copy to web page with minimum hassle IF you have a smartphone.
 
PITA if you don't like smartphones! Some places don't even offer the option of a link, just the code.
 
My brother had a letter from NHS about 18 months ago asking if he wanted to take part in a trial. He thought, well his wife told him, why not.
He had a blood test and 3 weeks later had a call saying there were some possible indicators of cancer. He had no symptoms at all but had early stage throat cancer, has now had radiotherapy and chemo and recent 12 month check was good. Original plan was to have an op to remove tumour but it grew very quickly so was inoperable.
Think I would get a test if invited.
 
Cobra said:
And that is a bloody big IF here.
I don't need one, to text or make calls.
Click to expand...

For me, it's super-useful to have, but I quite understand some don't want them. Society is rushing headlong towards connection being essential, and I suspect that in 10 years time not having a device like that may make life difficult in much of Europe.
 
ancient_mariner said:
. Society is rushing headlong towards connection being essential, and I suspect that in 10 years time not having a device like that may make life difficult in much of Europe.
Click to expand...
And that's the reality.
It seems that the younger generation, accept all the (tracking) intrusion as normality.
 
Oh FFS can you be any more Dino?
 
Mr Bump said:
Oh FFS can you be any more Dino?
Click to expand...
The QR codes are of no use to me.
If you want everything done e- then that up to you.
But as above they are of no use to me.
 
They are just URLs, You can use them via your desktop pc in various ways if you wish…

www.maketecheasier.com

4 Ways to Scan QR Codes on a Windows PC - Make Tech Easier

Users can easily scan QR codes on Windows PCs through various means, including Windows Camera, Google Lens, and third-party apps.
www.maketecheasier.com www.maketecheasier.com

(A relative was given a booklet about a medical trial In the week and it had QR code on page one or the normal 100 odd character url to type in on page two….)
 
Mozthecat said:
They are just URLs, You can use them via your desktop pc in various ways if you wish…
Click to expand...
There is no camera on my pc, and it looks like you have to down load stuff to be able to read them.
I'm going to look a bt silly with my desk top under my arm going into Tesco, to get the added discounts.
 
Cobra said:
The QR codes are of no use to me.
If you want everything done e- then that up to you.
But as above they are of no use to me.
Click to expand...

You do know that all a QR code is
a web link compressed into a code so that it can be easily read buy a scanner on pretty much every smart phone , tablet or device, its not magic or scary.

Here is a QR code for the BBC news web site.

qrcode_www.bbc.co.uk.png
 
Mr Bump said:
You do know that all a QR code is
a web link compressed into a code so that it can be easily read buy a scanner on pretty much every smart phone ,
Click to expand...
I have no idea what it is as I don't have the ability to "read" it.
Mr Bump said:
Here is a QR code for the BBC news web site.
Click to expand...
And? if I want to watch BBC news I'll turn the TV on.
 
Last edited:
Mr Bump said:
You do know that all a QR code is
a web link compressed into a code so that it can be easily read buy a scanner on pretty much every smart phone , tablet or device, its not magic or scary.

Here is a QR code for the BBC news web site.

View attachment 404593
Click to expand...
The problem is you don't know what the code means, it could link you to a scammers site

From https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/what-is-a-qr-code-how-to-scan

Are QR codes safe?​


Attackers can embed malicious URLs containing custom malware into a QR code which could then exfiltrate data from a mobile device when scanned. It is also possible to embed a malicious URL into a QR code that directs to a phishing site, where unsuspecting users could disclose personal or financial information.


Because humans cannot read QR codes, it is easy for attackers to alter a QR code to point to an alternative resource without being detected. While many people are aware that QR codes can open a URL, they can be less aware of the other actions that QR codes can initiate on a user’s device. Aside from opening a website, these actions can include adding contacts or composing emails. This element of surprise can make QR code security threats especially problematic.


A typical attack involves placing malicious QR codes in public, sometimes covering up legitimate QR codes. Unsuspecting users who scan the code are taken to a malicious web page which could host an exploit kit, leading to device compromise or a spoofed login page to steal user credentials. Some websites do drive-by downloads, so simply visiting the site can initiate a malicious software download.


Mobile devices, in general, tend to be less secure than computers or laptops. Since QR codes are used on mobile devices, this increases the potential risks.

I Do Not use them.
 
seaodyssey said:
I Do Not use them.
Click to expand...
As I see it, many are walking blindly into something they don't understand.
They think they do, but as per your point above.

And of course the more information that is stored on the phone, the bigger the risk.
Bank pay in one form or other be that apple or what ever, could possibly be read.
The techno-geeks will call me a conspiracy theorist, I call it being better safe than sorry.
 
I do nothing financial on my phone and that includes online payments for parking etc.. I do have the facility to read QR codes but it's on an independent app rather than being a native ability to the phone so it's not as simple as just pointing the camera at the code. TBH, I'd be as happy with an old 3310 Nokia as I am with a smartphone. Doesn't help that fat fingers make using a phone keyboard a PITA and needing reading glasses to read the screen isn't ideal either!
 
No banking or such money related usage on my phone.

I think with QR code 'risks' it falls into the category of caution required. If the QR code is from as in @Cobra OP, a known and legitimate source then the risk is low to none existent but in public environments where, as mentioned above, scammers may have placed malicious QR codes then (extreme?) caution required!

However, in respect of the more general risk.......the smartphone and growing presence of QR codes there is fertile ground for the scammers to find enough unwitting victims. :(
 
Box Brownie said:
However, in respect of the more general risk.......the smartphone and growing presence of QR codes there is fertile ground for the scammers to find enough unwitting victims. :(
Click to expand...
I also find it unnerving the way technology is being added ( or being needed) to ( for )just about everything these days.
 
Nod said:
I do nothing financial on my phone and that includes online payments for parking etc.. I do have the facility to read QR codes but it's on an independent app rather than being a native ability to the phone so it's not as simple as just pointing the camera at the code. TBH, I'd be as happy with an old 3310 Nokia as I am with a smartphone. Doesn't help that fat fingers make using a phone keyboard a PITA and needing reading glasses to read the screen isn't ideal either!
Click to expand...

Every single bit of that applies to me. I sometimes have problems answering the phone (doesn't help that I have Essential Tremors).
 
Cobra said:
I also find it unnerving the way technology is being added ( or being needed) to ( for )just about everything these days.
Click to expand...
And on a side note that..........................folk pay a small fortune every month (if they are on say a 24 month contract?) for their high data allowance accounts but they stuff the phone in their back pockets and treat them (in the main?) like a disposable item. I wonder how many actually buy them outright and how those owners treat them by comparison to my perception of those with a contract :thinking:

PS perhaps if they have insurance in place they simply don't worry about it!
 
Box Brownie said:
And on a side note that..........................folk pay a small fortune every month (if they are on say a 24 month contract?) for their high data allowance accounts but they stuff the phone in their back pockets and treat them (in the main?) like a disposable item. I wonder how many actually buy them outright and how those owners treat them by comparison to my perception of those with a contract :thinking:

PS perhaps if they have insurance in place they simply don't worry about it!
Click to expand...
Mine is covered by home insurance. I'm guessing that's the case with most. Maybe I should stuff mine in my back pocket, it would be the safest, if not the most comfortable, place for it! :LOL:
 
Box Brownie said:
And on a side note that..........................folk pay a small fortune every month (if they are on say a 24 month contract?) for their high data allowance accounts but they stuff the phone in their back pockets and treat them (in the main?) like a disposable item. I wonder how many actually buy them outright and how those owners treat them by comparison to my perception of those with a contract :thinking:

PS perhaps if they have insurance in place they simply don't worry about it!
Click to expand...

We purchased ours for £129 each and pay around £7 a month for unlimited calls.
 
Marc said:
Mine is covered by home insurance. I'm guessing that's the case with most. Maybe I should stuff mine in my back pocket, it would be the safest, if not the most comfortable, place for it! :LOL:
Click to expand...
A good point, I wonder whether the UK insurance industry has any figures for the claims for losses, theft, breakages etc specifically for mobile phones? And if so how big an influence on the premium increases that might occur for the individual and/or policies in general???
 
andya700 said:
We purchased ours for £129 each and pay around £7 a month for unlimited calls.
Click to expand...
We buy ours and possibly like yours not the most bleeding edge technology (Motorola/Lenovo) and I am on a rolling 6GB data contract for £6.86 but my OH is still on PAYG but will get her on same/similar to me as she uses data very very sparsely.

So yes lower cost options exist, I should have been more specific about the 'class' of phone and type of contract ;)
 
Box Brownie said:
A good point, I wonder whether the UK insurance industry has any figures for the claims for losses, theft, breakages etc specifically for mobile phones? And if so how big an influence on the premium increases that might occur for the individual and/or policies in general???
Click to expand...
We've made 2 claims. Once when Mrs F dropped one in a bucket of water, the other when she was at a do in Canada and her bag was stolen after she left it hanging on the back of her chair whilst she was dancing (pleasantly surprised the paid out on that one). Didn't see any increase in premium after either.
 
One problem with insurance claims is that they should be declared when applying for motor insurance. "Have you made an insurance claim in the last XX years?" means all insurance claims, not just motoring ones and a failure to declare them COULD result in any claim being refused...
 
We also buy ours outright and have done for quite a few years. The last one for Mrs P was a Samsung Galaxy s@3 Ultra, tried to buy one in a phone shop and they had no stock; but I could have had one on a contract immediately - I said no and left, ended up buying direct from Samsung with a £150 discount, extra 6 choices of case colour, and a further cash back via Quidco eventually too! I'm still on an iPhone 11Pro Max that I bought when it came out, pretty old by some standards now but still more than enough phone for me. Both are on GiffGaff £6/month goody bags with unlimited calls and text and 3Gb data, which is plenty since we are in range of wifi most of the time.
 
Box Brownie said:
I wonder how many actually buy them outright and how those owners treat them by comparison to my perception of those with a contract :thinking:
Click to expand...
I paid about £75 sim free for my last one.
£7 odd on BT unlimited calls & text.
2gig data, that I never use.
 
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