Because the bad guys can hide links to malicious or phishing websites into QR codes, security company Kaspersky Lab rolled out a new iOS and Android app that can protect against such a threat: Kaspersky QR Scanner.

Point your iPhone or Android device at a QR code and the app will analyze it. If everything is safe, the app will direct you to the link that is included in the QR code. If the link leads to a malicious or phishing site, the app will display a warning notification.

“All communication channels via which the fraudsters can transfer harmful information to devices need to be protected. Today they are hiding links in QR codes, so we need a secure scanner. Tomorrow, if they learn to send links via the radio or attach a punch card reader to telephones, we will have to protect them as well. The main thing is that Kaspersky Lab technology can detect the risk and effectively protect users”, said Alexey Chikov, Senior Product Manager, Kaspersky Lab.

Kaspersky QR Scanner – Main Features

• Scan QR Codes – the app can scan QR codes and detect website addresses, texts that are encrypted in the codes, and contact information.
• Malicious websites protection – if the QR code leads to a malicious or phishing website, the app presents a warning notification.
• Wi-Fi Connect – quickly access Wi-Fi settings and connect your device to the network.
• Save Contact Info – as mentioned above, the app can detect contact information from QR codes; the app can also save this contact information.
• Availability – Kaspersky QR Scanner is available for iOS and Android for the great price of free.

Get Kaspersky QR Scanner for iOS from Apple’s App Store.
Get Kaspersky QR Scanner for Android from Google Play.

In related news, I remind you that you can easily create QR codes with Wolfram Alpha, the computational knowledge engine developed by British-born physicist and Mathematica creator Stephen Wolfram.