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Guest WiFi using a QR code

blog.jgc.org

261–270 of 284 posts

Re: Guest WiFi using a QR code

#261

I am freaking tired of QR codes. I recently moved to another country (SG) and QR codes are literally used for almost everything now, essentially requiring a phone (and good lighting and a clean camera) to do almost anything. At least once a week I have to idle around waiting for a link to load in order to pay a vendor because scanning a qr-code under a glossy plastic standee is taking too long to read. I love how dev…

A shortened URL is just as opaque for humans as a QR code. http://bit.ly/gAtJlyc Would you trust this URL?

Usually, people (who I think pay services like bitly) can use minimized urls with some readable text, not random letters, this is to make the url more readable and visible.

Anyway, for here in Singapore, what I'm talking about generally are government websites, which in SG are plentiful and well used. Things like where to find ART kits or information on GST vouchers or things like that. This is information many people are likely to access via a website, and especially trust given it's a gov website. The government often already have nifty, readable urls already for these links, like gowhere.gov.sg/art and so don't need QR codes.

Re: Guest WiFi using a QR code

#262

I am freaking tired of QR codes. I recently moved to another country (SG) and QR codes are literally used for almost everything now, essentially requiring a phone (and good lighting and a clean camera) to do almost anything. At least once a week I have to idle around waiting for a link to load in order to pay a vendor because scanning a qr-code under a glossy plastic standee is taking too long to read. I love how dev…

QR codes should be REVERSED. ALL vendors should be required to have a camera. I have an app that produces a unique QR code for each transaction. The VENDOR scans MY QR code and REQUESTS for my to PAY them, showing me my receipt for auth on my device. The only VENDOR QR-read codes should only be for information about the product, menu etc. - I used QR codes on product descriptions that led to the product page and lab…

So, this is something some apps actually do, just noting, where they scan the payer's QR code, not the vendor. Also, not sure why you are being downvoted.

Re: Guest WiFi using a QR code

#263

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't there qr codes that can automatically update their values? That could work. Otherwise just buying those picture viewers and setting a qr image would be easiest.

A picture of a QR code will always be the same QR code. There are QR code generators that purport to let you update the value... but they're basically just hosting a link shortener service, giving you a QR code encoding that link, and letting you change where the link redirects to. That wouldn't work with a QR code for wifi, since the QR code does not point to a link, it directly encodes the SSID and password for a w…

Can the http link not be directed to other protocols like FTP, or WIFI:T:WPA;S:{ssid};P:{password};; in this case? I guess this might have some security implication. And, some clients can block such redirection.

I tried with HTML href on my mac. It didn't work. Maybe it'd work on phones.

Re: Guest WiFi using a QR code

#264
post #196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have an iPhone 13Pro Max and this solution is cumbersome. When I walk back to my desk, my phone locks (due to time out or intentional habit of keeping it locked). Then I have to tap buttons to unlock phone, launch the photo app, and find the image I just took. Then I have to spend time later to delete the image. iOS has OCR on images. I can copy and paste the password from the photo, but still not as efficient as n…

Is Face ID so terrible? I'm still on iPhone 8 with fingerprint reader and unlocking is not something I notice, it's absolutely smooth.

I use FaceID and it works well (even with a mask), but you still have to tap to find the Photos app and then the image you just took.

Re: Guest WiFi using a QR code

#267
post #264

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is Face ID so terrible? I'm still on iPhone 8 with fingerprint reader and unlocking is not something I notice, it's absolutely smooth.

I use FaceID and it works well (even with a mask), but you still have to tap to find the Photos app and then the image you just took.

Open camera (swipe from up side, then swipe from right side), click on latest photo in the corner, swipe if necessary. I very rarely open photos app.

Re: Guest WiFi using a QR code

#268
post #62

I tell guests its a long, complex password (it is, and it is on a separate VLAN where all my IoT resides, too). I then ask them to hand over their device so I can enter the password. There's a trust thing going on there, but this is deliberate as the trust goes both ways (my internet connection). If they don't trust me to fill in my password on their device (they may of course watch me do it), I wouldn't want them on…

What is the purpose of typing in the password for them? It's not keeping it a secret. Usually the OS lets you see it. For example on macOS they can just search for it Keychain Access, and even though they may not be able to get to it on iOS, the built-in WiFi sharing will bring that password to their Mac for viewing there. IMO it is just easier to display it on a computer screen in a large-sized text and let them typ…

Yes I am aware of that they can read the password (if not in memory).

These friends are not very technical, and the purpose is that I use their device to fill in the complex password. It would take much longer if I were to spell it out, and its likely they would make typos. By handing me their device, its a sense of trust doing so. In return, I give internet access.

Re: Guest WiFi using a QR code

#269

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Can generate these on Linux with the qrencode program. If you're using Network Manager, you can also just run this command! nmcli dev wifi show-password You get the password as text, and a nice in-terminal QR code.

Recent Plasma Desktop lets you show a network QR code right from the right-click context menu.

I actually lied, if you click the NetworkManager applet in Plasma, there's a direct QR code button visible without having to use the context menu at all.

Re: Guest WiFi using a QR code

#270

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A picture of a QR code will always be the same QR code. There are QR code generators that purport to let you update the value... but they're basically just hosting a link shortener service, giving you a QR code encoding that link, and letting you change where the link redirects to. That wouldn't work with a QR code for wifi, since the QR code does not point to a link, it directly encodes the SSID and password for a w…

Can the http link not be directed to other protocols like FTP, or WIFI:T:WPA;S:{ssid};P:{password};; in this case? I guess this might have some security implication. And, some clients can block such redirection. I tried with HTML href on my mac. It didn't work. Maybe it'd work on phones.

The dynamic vs static is also one of the criticisms to NFTs. They're just links to dynamic content in a distributed database. The content itself could change any time, or go down. But it looks like it works (there's a word for this: scam).

How would you use a dynamic link like HTTPS URL shortener if you're trying to achieve internet access? You could overcomplicate it with another AP which only works with QR code.

A colleague once painted a QR code, kinda cool its possible and it worked, but its no magic. Its just static content. If you want it to be dynamic, e-ink is perfect for this purpose. It doesn't require electricity, only if you change the content. So if it is say a Raspberry Pi Zero, it could be powered off, and only get powered on when required (even the e-ink screen itself could be detached).

I know they use captive portals a lot for this purpose but I don't see how say WPA2/3 Enterprise could not work for this.

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