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Secure QR Scanner

A QR code or a barcode that you scan with your device can contain different kinds of information. This information can be unsafe for your device: for instance, a link to a phishing website. The Secure QR Scanner feature lets you scan QR codes and barcodes and safely access the information encrypted in the codes by checking any links they may contain.

Here are the instructions for performing typical user tasks that the feature provides:

Scanning a QR code

To scan a QR code:

  1. Point the camera at the QR code or barcode.
  2. Keep the device steady for 1-2 seconds.

    Secure QR Scanner automatically focuses the image and decrypts information encrypted in the code.

    Depending on the type of information encrypted in the code, the device displays text, a link to a website, contact details, or Wi-Fi network connection settings.

Secure QR Scanner saves all scanned codes into history if the saving history functionality is enabled in app's settings.

You can see up-to-date information about QR code or barcode contents check results in history by tapping required entry. The app checks the links again and shows up-to-date result.

Follow these recommendations when scanning a code:

  • If Secure QR Scanner is unable to decode the code, move the camera to or from the QR or barcode to get the image in focus.
  • When illumination is insufficient, tap the flashlight icon on the feature's screen to turn on the flashlight

In the Settings section of the feature, you can:

  • Turn on sound and vibration confirmation that a code has been scanned;

    The vibration confirmation is only available on devices that support this feature.

  • Turn on history to save scanned codes;
  • Choose whether you want to be prompted before opening a link from a code.

Opening a website

Secure QR Scanner scans websites for online threats before opening them. The app uses

cloud service for checking. Secure QR Scanner warns about links to websites, known to Kaspersky Security Network cloud service as representing a threat to users. The app highlights such links in red and doesn't let you open them in browser or save in your device's contacts.

To open a website:

  1. Point the camera at a code with an encrypted website link.

    Secure QR Scanner automatically focuses the image and decrypts the link encrypted in the code, then checks the link for threats.If the link is safe, the app prompts you to open it in your device's default browser.

  2. If you don't want to be prompted about opening links that are safe, you can disable this prompt in the feature's settings.

Adding a contact

Secure QR Scanner can recognize contact details encoded in a QR code.

After decoding the QR code, you can:

  • See the content of the contact card;
  • Call the contact if a mobile phone number is specified in the contact card;
  • Send an SMS message to the contact if a mobile phone number is specified in the contact card;
  • Create this contact in your device contact list.

If malicious or phishing links were detected in any field of contact data, it is impossible to add this links to the contact card on your device.

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network

To connect to a Wi-Fi network:

  1. Point the camera at a QR code with encoded Wi-Fi network connection settings.

    Secure QR Scanner automatically focuses the image and decodes the QR code. A window with Wi-Fi network connection settings opens:

    • SSID / Network name
    • Password
    • Type
  2. Tap Save network. If a system prompt appears, agree to save the network.
  3. On the next scree, tap Connect.

If you are using a device running Android 10 or lower, to connect to a Wi-Fi network:

  1. Point the camera at a QR code with encoded Wi-Fi network connection settings.

    Secure QR Scanner automatically focuses the image and decodes the QR code. A window with Wi-Fi network connection settings opens:

    • SSID / Network name
    • Password
    • Type
  2. Tap Show available networks.

    Secure QR Scanner will copy the network's password to the clipboard. A window with available Wi-Fi networks list will appear.

  3. Tap the network name that appeared in step 1.
  4. In the window that opens, insert the password from the clipboard and tap Connect.
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[Topic 237265]