QR Codes -> The Future of Adware & Spyware
I recently commented on Sahar Sarid's Blog about his post on direct navigation and the world's move towards mobile scanning devices. I really think this information is important to follow because we are at a pinnacle point for this trend and, as devices like the iPhone continue to adapt this technology and the methods for using it, we will begin to see the results of its use very soon.
Here are the comments that I had left regarding QR Codes:
I agree with a lot of the commentary that has been given so far about this topic. QR Codes have been around since 1999 and have only recently had their standards updated in 2006. So it is very easy for them to say that recent news coverage is years behind.
But what you are suggesting is very eye-opening. Even though it is already too late to get the best generic domain names, it is not too late to get into the loop and learn more about QR Codes.
If I knew that the scanning of QR Codes would be an integral part of advertising models in the future then I might do a number of things. These actions that I would take differ depending on my background.
If I produce a product that I sell exclusively on the Internet that might compete with the products people will be scanning as they go down the aisles of a shopping center, then I may want to add comparative advertising along-side those products. If I already bid against keywords in search engines, then it may be profitable for my business to begin a QR Code marketing drive for my products. Customers would be able to scan my ads and purchase my products without "missing a step" in their daily routine.
If I were a computer hacker with an unscrupulous mind and with not-so-good intentions or an adware/spyware developer, then I would be dreaming up the next great phishing scheme. It wouldn't be difficult to palm QR Code Stickers onto products, posters, billboards, or any place that consumers might be able to notice them. These consumers might even "believe" that downloading my trojan software at the website I direct them to is necessary to get an even better deal on the products that they are purchasing today. As a phisher it would even be beneficial to redirect these consumers to a page containing coupons for that specific product. These consumers might then tell their friends, "Hey Betty! Just scan this to get another $.70 off!" Sounds like a winning technology for scam-artists to me...
If I were a company that produces anti-adware, anti-spyware, anti-virus and anti-phishing software, then I would be racing right now... racing to stay ahead of the future phishing schemes and virus/trojan opportunities that QR Codes can introduce to the masses. I would be drawing up plans for the software that every iPhone and mobile device user will be downloading in an effort to be certain that they would not be average Joe Blow that falls victim to the above-described cyber criminals.
If I were a domainer, then it is very obvious what I would be doing right now. I would be registering every domain name combination to do with adware, spyware, anti-virus software, iPhones, mobile phones, mobile devices and QR Codes. But this is like stating that "the sky is blue" or "the Earth is round", we already know that this has been happening even before you posted about these codes on your blog.
As of this posting, the following domain names were available:
- qradware.com
- qrspyware.com
- qrcodeadware.com
- qrcodespyware.com
- qrantivirus.com
- qrcodelabel(s).com (both plural and singular)
taken:
- qrcodeantivirus.com
- qrcodesoftware.com
We'll have to see how this technology introduces itself full-scale into societies across the world. Will there be more benefits or more hindrances this time around? I can't wait to read the news articles detailing the types of phishing scams that use this technology.
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