Science Question: Is the QR Code Unique?

A QR code is nothing more than a text consisting of a few letters or letters that are not represented by the well-known Latin alphabet, but in a standardized form of pixels, i.e. binary numbers and zeros. It can be compared to a message in Morse code. This is just one way to present your text. For example, “… -…” becomes “SOS”. In this way, the QR code is also not unique in the world.

However, QR codes are often used to define a website URL (for example, http://ministeriumXY.gc.at) For encryption. The URL identifies a resource on a web server, such as an image or a written document, and is unique worldwide. This can also be used to check the legitimacy of the document. Example: The official XY document should be easy to verify. However, the document can be easily falsified (before it is printed), especially if it is sent over the Internet.

However, if a QR code is shown on this, it will lead to a unique URL, such as http://ministeriumXY.gv.at/ documents / 6ec6e87f6ser7fshee8rfjxs erxg778gnc8se7rgThis can prevent fraud. This URL, which appears as a QR code, is not only unique worldwide, but can also be used to verify an original document.

Meanwhile, unauthorized users cannot view the document online without the code because the chances of guessing a valid QR code ID (6ec6e87f6ser7fshee8rfjxserxg778gnc8se7rg) is astronomical due to its length. It is important to understand that, of course, the QR code in this example does not show the entire document – it is stored on the server – but only the globally unique web address where the original can be found.