QR Codes from untrusted companies carry malware risk

QR codes are becoming the hot new item among major brands and retailers to drive consumers to websites, promotions, sweepstakes, and more. What's easier for consumers than to scan a code with a smartphone app and instantly go to a mobile website to learn more, compare products, or complete an action in order for you to capture critical customer data? A simple click is all it takes to access this information, quickly and conveniently.


Unfortunately, some consumers have found that snapping images of QR codes has also led to infection of their phones by malware. According to one anti-virus software company, a smartphone was infected with a code that sent a number of expensive text messages.

Malware is not the only risk associated with QR codes. They have been linked to phishing scams, too. If a smartphone user is asked to provide a user name and password for his or her e-mail account or a social networking site, this is a red flag that something may not be right.

Businesses and advertisers that use QR codes should be aware of these scams and create measures that increase consumer trust, such as only working with reputable QR code companies and listing traditional contact information near the QR code for the customer, in case they want to confirm.

Mobile Websites Will Drive Sales for Retailers This Holiday Season

The annual holiday shopping season is about to start, and mobile retail websites definitely have a role to play in helping consumers get the most bang for their buck. I can’t say that I enjoy shopping as an activity at any time of the year. Any technology that can make it a quicker and easier experience is something that I am prepared to embrace with open arms.

Recent surveys and data about consumer interactions with mobile web offer some very interesting results. It found that consumers are turning to mobile websites to provide them with information they need to make an educated decision. A full 63 percent of respondents said that they had visited a store’s website from a mobile device and I was surprised to find out that 41 percent of them have done so from within the store itself.

Using mobile devices to check out offerings does not necessarily translate into loyalty, though. Shoppers reported checking out the offerings from another store during the same visit.

Mobile sites can act as more than just an electronic brochure for a retail establishment. They can be an effective promotional tool for retailers. Shoppers who are already interested in researching prices and taking advantage of store coupons to find the best deals on the perfect gift will simply reach for their smart phones. Savvy store owners will make sure they are providing that information.



Source: http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20111020005358/en/mobile-marketing/mobile-advertising/research