Tag Archive for: invention

Are QR codes a great invention or a cybersecurity threat?

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In 2021, 75.8 million smartphone users in the United States scanned a QR code on their mobile devices, up by 15.3% compared to 2020.

The usage of mobile QR code scanners is projected to experience continued growth, reaching approximately 99.5 million users in the U.S. by 2025.

QR codes have grown more appealing to threat actors as it has become more widely adopted. The same accessibility that makes them helpful also makes them efficient delivery methods for malware and phishing scams.

With 59% of respondents believing that QR codes would be a permanent part of using their mobile phone in the future, what are the cybersecurity ramifications of mainstream QR Codes?

Cybersecurity specialists Ping Identity have explored the rising threat of QR Code attacks and how to protect yourself from getting scammed.

What are QR codes?

QR codes are matrix bar codes that frequently let customers access exclusive coupons, go to business websites, get exclusive offers, or discover more about goods and services.

Consumers can easily scan and interpret the message contained in a QR code box by pointing a smartphone’s camera at the code after installing a QR code reader application.

Why QR codes are not often secure

The biggest problem with QR codes is that humans cannot read their format, making it impossible for us to tell if a QR code is real or false just by glancing at it.

Below are some ways that malicious parties can utilise QR codes against you:

Phishing

Another issue known as QPhishing is the usage of QR codes in phishing scams. A cybercriminal could add a phishing website URL to a legal QR code.

Users are then prompted by the phishing website to divulge their data, which crooks will then sell on the dark web. In addition, they could pressure you into purchasing for goods that bring them money.

These phishing websites are barely distinguishable from real websites, giving the victim the impression that they are trustworthy.

With a few small exceptions, they are largely perfect reproductions of the original. For instance, the “.com” in the domain name can be changed to something else, such “ai” or “in.”

Malware attacks

To infect anyone who…

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Local invention transforms students into computer programmers

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MADISON, Ala. – Technology invented in Madison is transforming public school kids into computer programmers across the nation.

The new technology is making it easier for rural schools to teach IT and computer science – starting as early as third grade.

“We build products that make it easy and accessible for a teacher who has no background in computer science to be able to bring computer science into the classroom,” said Geri Ewing with Firia Labs.

Geri and David Ewing developed the computer programming technology at their labratories in Madison.

Thanks to a private grant, they’re now able to teach 100 school teachers – more than half of those in Alabama, how to apply the technology in classrooms.

“They are absolutely on fire,” Geri Ewing said. “We even had one particular teacher after the training, sent to us, she says, ‘you know Geri, I was so overwhelmed, even my principal knew that I was just on the brink of basically falling apart and here you guys come along and show me what I can do, she says, ‘I can now turn the corner.’”

Many rural schools don’t have access to teaching computer science, Ewing said.

With their equipment, students are able to program various devices from scratch.

The knowledge will likely lead to students getting high paying jobs out of high school, said Alesia Doran, an AP computer science teacher at Priceville High School.

“It is very important because computer science touches all of our everyday lives from being able to scan objects in the grocery store to being able to calculate the trajectory of rockets into space,” Doran said. “It touches every aspect. We’re all concerned about cyber security and protecting our health and personal information.”

Doran has been teaching computer science at Priceville High School for four years. She says the technology has been helpful in expanding her curriculum. “They’re very important because students need to have the visual feedback through the microbits because they can hear sounds and see images, program games and get feedback with them,” Doran said.

Firia Labs have implemented their technology in 32 states and six countries.

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Baguette vending machine is the greatest invention since sliced bread

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I can’t believe this exists. I certainly can’t believe it works well. But, heck, I’d pay good money to find out that I’m wrong. And San Franciscans now have the opportunity.

From a report on SFGate:

Shut down the tech industry because San Francisco now has the only new piece of innovation it ever needs: a vending machine that dispenses hot baguettes.

The Le Bread Xpress vending machine is up and running on Market and 15th at the new Myriad market hall. The baguettes are part-baked at a bakery and finished in the vending machine after you place your order.

Bet the name came to them in less time than it takes to bake bread.

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Network World Paul McNamara