Look before you scan – the QR code scammers are phishing for business | John Naughton

The proliferation of Quick Response codes has created a cybersecurity nightmare, but public vigilance can help

Here's a familiar scenario. You're going to a meeting in an unfamiliar part of town. You're running late and it's raining. And there isn't a car park in sight. Ah, but here's some on-street parking and you gratefully pull into the empty bay. Now all you have to do is pay for a couple of hours and then scuttle along to your meeting. But the parking meter (of course) no longer takes coins. This is the 21st century, after all.

No worries - you can pay by phone. There are notices plastered all over the meter on how to pay using an app that - of course - you have not yet downloaded. The rain is getting heavier and there's no mobile signal. You're getting increasingly flustered. And then you spot that there's a Quick Response (QR) code - a nice (if incomprehensible) square with lots of funny squares and spaces - on one side of the meter. Phew! All you have to do is scan it and you'll be through to a website in no time. So you do and you are. Job done. Relax.