I. Core Design Principles
Layered Anti-Counterfeiting:
A single technology is easily compromised. Combine multiple security measures such as physical, digital, and material-based protections.
Information Hierarchy:
Store sensitive data in encrypted form and display only essential public information to avoid full data exposure.
Traceability and Verification:
Embed a unique identifier in each QR code to support quick official authentication and retain usage records.
Scenario Adaptability:
Adjust protection levels according to use scenarios — outdoor vs. indoor, high-frequency contact vs. static display, etc.
II. Physical Layer: Anti-Copy and Anti-Tampering Design
Special Materials and Printing Techniques
- Use customized anti-counterfeiting substrates such as paper with invisible fluorescent fibers or holographic positioning paper, which cannot be replicated with standard printing devices.
- Apply irreversible printing technologies such as thermochromic ink (color changes with heat) or optically variable ink (color changes with viewing angle). Any tampering leaves visible traces.
- Add micro/nano-texture printing — embed microscopic patterns (e.g., microtext or logos) around or beneath the QR code background, which are invisible to the naked eye and distort easily during duplication.
Structural Anti-Tampering Design
- Add a destructive security border around the QR code that breaks if peeled off, rendering the code unreadable.
- Use custom QR code shapes incorporating the brand logo or unique outlines (e.g., irregular rounded corners, missing segments) to disrupt standard QR patterns and increase duplication difficulty.
- Apply anti-transfer adhesive layers on the label’s back — if removed, the label tears and the text blurs, preventing reuse.
III. Information Layer: Encryption and Access Control
QR Code Data Encryption
- Encrypt sensitive information (e.g., traceability data, user privacy) using AES or RSA algorithms. Only authorized devices can decrypt the encrypted string stored in the QR code.
- Implement dynamic QR codes containing timestamps or usage limits — once expired or used beyond a set number of times, the code automatically becomes invalid.
- Embed digital watermarks that hide unique identifiers (e.g., enterprise keys or product serial numbers) in the QR data, allowing detection of unauthorized copies even if duplicated.
Access Control Mechanisms
- Set tiered access permissions: regular users can only view public details (e.g., product name, manual), while administrators access full data through password or identity verification.
- Bind access to whitelisted devices — only authorized scanners (e.g., company devices or official apps) can read sensitive content, blocking unauthorized mobile devices.
- Add geolocation restrictions, allowing code verification only within target regions to prevent cross-region misuse.
IV. Verification Layer: Rapid Authentication and Traceability
Official Verification Channels
- Link each QR code to a single official verification entry point (e.g., company website or dedicated app) to avoid misjudgment through fake verification sites.
- Display detailed product data — batch, production date, authorized distributor — and provide a “Report Suspicious Code” button for user feedback.
- Support multi-mode verification: besides scanning, users can manually enter the printed code on the official platform, suitable for offline environments.
Traceability and Alert Mechanisms
- Assign each QR code a unique serial number tied to full lifecycle data (production, logistics, usage). The system automatically issues alerts for abnormal scans (e.g., the same code scanned simultaneously in multiple locations).
- Record scan logs — including time, location, and device — to trace unauthorized activity and support rights protection.
- Use a one-item-one-code system, ensuring each label corresponds to a unique product, preventing bulk duplication and reuse.
V. Scenario-Based Security Enhancements
Outdoor Applications
- Add UV-resistant coatings to prevent fading or blurring from sunlight, while enhancing wear and water resistance.
- Use reverse printing — light-colored code on a dark background — to reduce glare interference and increase replication difficulty.
High-Value Products (Luxury Goods, Pharmaceuticals)
- Integrate biometric or electronic authentication, such as embedded fingerprint or NFC chips accessible only by authorized personnel.
- Combine physical and digital verification — scanning the QR code must be accompanied by checking hidden features (e.g., fluorescent marks) to confirm authenticity.
Confidential Environments (Documents, Equipment Labels)
- Employ one-time-use QR codes that self-destruct or partially reveal data after scanning; full access requires offline identity verification.
- Cover the QR code with a scratch-off coating that must be removed before scanning, preventing unauthorized pre-use access.
VI. Common Risk Prevention
Avoid using free public QR code generators, which lack encryption and are easily tampered with.
Do not embed complete sensitive data directly into the QR code. Even encrypted data should have its encryption keys updated regularly to reduce exposure risk.
Conduct regular security testing — simulate attacks, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously upgrade anti-counterfeiting strategies.
