A few weeks ago, I received a direct message from a friend on Twitter. The message and the link it contained seemed more than a little sketchy; however, the message was from a friend. I should be able to trust a message from a friend even if it isn’t written in her usual style, right?

Signcryption is the merging of digital signatures and encryption. The two things - the signatures and the encryption - often are disparate components. Signcryption seeks to unite the two. Although it’s a relatively new concept, it’s receiving notice from Homeland Security and other entities. If it were to gain traction - which it appears to be doing - it could help with maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of systems.

QR codes are championed by many marketers. It’s no surprise; one can fit a large amount of information within a small space. Bar codes come with a twenty-character limit, but QR codes can use upward of 1,000 characters depending on the characters and the codes’ data capacity. QR codes also are easier to scan, and they have a built-in error correction. When space is at a premium or the space itself is awkward, such as the spaces found on subway stations or bus terminals, it makes sense to invest in the QR code.