In a recent public awareness campaign, Sharjah Police conducted an eye-opening experiment to highlight the dangers of scanning unverified QR codes. The police printed a QR code labeled ‘Free WiFi’ and placed it in a public area. The code, lacking any official branding or clear destination, was designed to test how many individuals would scan it without hesitation. Instead of accessing free WiFi, those who scanned the code were met with a warning about the potential risks of such actions. The experiment aimed to educate the public on the ease with which QR codes can be exploited for fraudulent purposes. QR codes, while convenient, can be manipulated by malicious actors to redirect users to harmful websites or install malware on their devices. To combat this, Dubai Municipality has previously shared safety tips, including avoiding the input of sensitive information on QR-linked sites, verifying URLs before proceeding, and refraining from scanning codes in public places without knowing their origin. This initiative underscores the importance of vigilance in an increasingly digital world.