A PDF QR code generator is an essential business and marketing tool that support the quick conversion of a PDF to a QR code.
Whether for business or professional purposes, it allows the easy and instant sharing of information, helping to save time and effort.
But with convenience comes concern, with the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access to information shared via a QR code for PDF.
The question now is, are PDF QR codes secure?
Let’s examine how it works, the security concerns to be aware of, and ways to avoid or manage these security risks.
What is a PDF QR code, and how does it work?
A PDF QR code is a type of QR code that links directly to a PDF file. Users can easily access the document after scanning the code on their smartphone or laptops.
A PDF QR code generator allows you to create a unique QR code that links to a PDF, either the file itself or one that’s hosted on a storage platform.
Simply sending the PDF QR code image to a colleague or business partner makes information sharing easy, convenient, space-saving, and cost-effective.
Is a PDF QR code generator secure?
If you create a QR code on a generator that is ISO 27001-certified, a global standard for keeping information safe and secure and follows other data privacy standards, you’ll never have to worry about the safety or security of your QR code or PDF.
A good QR code generation platform offers secure hosting, data encryption, password protection, and regular security audits.
This allows you to share your PDF via QR code even if it contains sensitive information. You can guarantee that your file is not exposed to hackers or accessed by unauthorized users.
In essence, if you choose the right PDF QR code creation software, you are able to generate QR codes for your documents for safe and secure use.
How to create a QR code that’s safe and secure
Creating a safe and secure QR code requires choosing the right tools and taking extra precautions to protect sensitive data.Here’s a detailed guide to help you out.
1. Pick a trusted QR code generator
The level of security offered by QR code generation software applications varies greatly. This is why you need to pick reliable QR code software that offers advanced security features.
It is also important that your software of choice has a strong reputation and lots of positive user reviews.
Here are our top three recommendations, known for their security:
- QR TIGER – an ISO 27001-certified and GDPR and CCPA-compliant generator with QR code password protection, data encryption, GPS tracking and analytics, and secure hosting
- Free QR Code Generator – a free, easy-to-use, privacy-focused QR code generator that supports multiple data types. It requires no sign-ups and offers decent security, analytics, and customization options.
- GoQR.me – a reliable QR code maker that allows the creation of secure codes without ad interruptions, ensuring user privacy.
2. Use a secure hosting platform
If you’re linking a PDF file from a hosting platform, its security will determine how easy or difficult it will be for hackers to access your file.
This is why it is important to store your PDFs on sites that use HTTPS encryption, as this makes it difficult for hackers to intercept your data.
Examples of reputable hosting platforms include Dropbox and Google Drive.
3. Use dynamic QR codes
A dynamic code is a QR code that lets you update its content without generating a new one. This is the defining difference to its counterpart, the static QR code, which cannot be updated after creation.
If you use dynamic QR codes, you can update or change the content when you suspect a breach. Also, if there’s an error such as linking to the wrong document, the error can be easily corrected, removing the need to generate a new code.
4. Add a password on the QR code
Other than a password-protected file, adding an access password to your code increases its security. Advanced QR code generators for PDF offer built-in password protection that requires users to enter a password before they can access the code’s content.
This prevents unauthorized users from accessing the code’s content.
4. Limit access or add expiry
You can also create a QR code with scan limits or expiration dates. After a certain number of scans or after a set period, the QR code will no longer function.
This is also particularly useful when sharing time-sensitive business materials.
5. Test before sharing
After you convert your PDF to a QR code, it is important to test it before sharing.
You can scan it using different devices and scanners to ensure that security settings work properly. This will also help you detect broken links, incorrect redirects, or security warnings.
6. Monitor and track usage
Advanced QR code generators provide analytics that help you see the number of times your code was scanned, where it was scanned from, and the devices used in scanning.
If unusual or unauthorized scan activity is detected, the QR code can be modified, deactivated, or redirected to prevent data misuse.
Common mistakes to avoid when generating PDF QR codes
Keep the following in mind when creating your PDF QR code to avoid access or management issues.
- Avoid using long and complex file names for PDFs, as this can make file management difficult.
- Do not generate low-resolution QR codes, as they may not scan properly after printing or sharing.
- Do not use PDFs that aren’t designed to be mobile-friendly as this can affect user experience.
Get more control over your PDF QR codes
When you use the right tool and approach, you can create a QR code that is safe and secure.
Using a tested and trusted dynamic PDF QR code generator helps protect sensitive documents through security features like limited access and password protection, providing you a level of control and security over your file and QR code.