How to use Trend Micro QR Scanner to avoid malicious QR codes

Discovered a new line of malicious Android code that steals user data on the electronic application market
What to do when the computer is infected with a virus that fights virtual money?

Scanning QR codes is quick and easy, but scammers often use them to disguise malicious URLs. Luckily, this great app will alert you if you scan something bad, making it a great first line of defense, and it's completely free.

What makes Trend Micro QR Scanner different from other apps?

Trend Micro QR Scanner is a very simple QR code scanner that requires no additional registration or purchase. Additionally, Trend Micro has a great free online virus scanner.

Its main strength is that it can analyze QR code URLs before you click them to see if they go somewhere bad. That way, you can get a warning not to click on the links and avoid scams before you even see them.

How to use Trend Micro QR Scanner

First, download the Trend Micro QR Scanner app from Google Play or the Trend Micro Mobile Security app from the Apple Store . If you're using an Android device, you can access the QR code scanner by simply opening the app. For iOS, you'll need to open the Mobile Security app, then tap the QR code scanner icon in the upper-right corner.

Now, let's scan the QR code. This article will demonstrate the capabilities of Trend Micro QR Scanner by scanning 3 URLs:

MakeUseOf URL.
URL of a phishing site logged in months before this article was written.
The URL of a phishing site was logged in as of the date of this writing.

The app then tells you whether the website is safe to visit or not.

How to use Trend Micro QR Scanner to avoid malicious QR codes Picture 1

Trend Micro QR Scanner has marked MakeUseOf as safe. This is because it is a reputable site with no history of selling malware.

The app says that visiting a malicious website that was discovered months ago is dangerous. Trend Micro has had plenty of time to identify and log the website as malicious, so anyone who scans this QR code will be properly informed of its bad nature.

However, when scanning the QR code for a malicious website that was discovered while writing the article, the app said that the website was not verified. Trend Micro has not recorded the website, so the app cannot know whether the website is safe or not. If you encounter this message in the real world, you should take appropriate steps to determine whether the QR code is fake before clicking on the link and entering your personal data.

The Trend Micro QR Scanner app takes a lot of the guesswork out of identifying bad QR codes, but it's not perfect. You have to consider the QR code you're scanning and the website you're trying to access. Always use common sense when scanning a code, even if the app says it's fine. And when in doubt, err on the side of caution.

QR code malicious QR code

Marvin Fry

Update 26 May 2025

You should read it

May be interested

How to Detect and Avoid Malicious EXE Files on Windows
cybercriminals often use malicious exe files to spread malware, ransomware, or spyware. that's why you should be able to recognize and avoid potentially harmful files to protect your device from infection.
Trojan infection when using KakaoTalk
trend micro, a security firm in japan, recently discovered kakaotalk and many other messaging applications are becoming targets of hackers 'attacks, threatening users' information security.
Some tips with QR Scanner feature on iOS 11
quick response (qr) is a new feature on ios 11 combined with camera, enabling users to scan code or can use it with many other useful uses.
9 cheating apps you should remove immediately
recently, security researchers at trend micro and mcafee discovered nine fraudulent apps on google play, affecting more than 750,000 android devices.
Warning: new code of virtual money digging is available via Facebook Messenger
security researchers from trend micro have discovered a new virtual money code that is attacking users via facebook messenger called facexworm.
10 most dangerous malicious codes in March 2007
british security firm sophos has released a list of 10 most dangerous malicious codes in march 2007. accordingly, the leading position belongs to a very old name - netsky.
10,000 websites were attacked
researchers at trend micro said at least 10,000 websites were infected with a trojan with code that automatically redirected the site to another server.
Trend of virus overwriting the file system
bach khoa network security center (bkis) issued a warning to users of a new trend of virus originating from china overriding malicious code on standard windows file.
17 malicious apps on Android that users need to remove immediately from the phone
a report from zscaler, a us cloud-based information security company headquartered in san jose (california), recently said that at least 17 apps on google play were found to contain joker malware, automatically subscribe to paid services without user consent.
New ransomware appeared not to send Bitcoin, money, but ... nude photos !!!
for years, cyber criminals have attacked many computers with extortion malware. hackers promise to return the file when the victim pays a virtual money. now someone has created a new trend when requesting nude photos instead of bitcoin.