TLS

TLS (Transport Layer Security) encrypts internet communication, succeeding the deprecated SSL protocol. The current version is TLS 1.3. It provides three security functions: encryption (preventing eavesdropping), integrity (detecting tampering), and authentication (verifying server identity via certificates).

When a QR code contains an https:// URL, TLS protects the post-scan communication between browser and server. URLs without TLS (http://) leave users vulnerable to phishing and eavesdropping. Always verify that QR code destinations support TLS.