QR Code Based Product Verification System

The developed QR code-based product verification and purchase system provides a practical way to address the problem of counterfeit products. It combines a unique digital identity for each product, real-time database verification, and single-use purchase control within one web application. The system uses a three-tier MERN architecture, allowing administrators to register products, generate the above image and QR code, and manage product details. Customers can scan the QR code using a camera to check the product status before making a purchase. During testing, the three product states, "Valid", "Already Used", and "Fake", helped the system identify genuine, previously purchased, and counterfeit products correctly. The status update after a successful purchase also prevented the same QR code from being reused. By connecting product verification with the purchase process, the system provides better control than methods that only verify product codes. The current system has some limitations. It requires an internet connection to access the database and perform real-time verification. The above image generated through the AI service may also require administrator review in some cases. In addition, the current product identifier provides a good level of security for the prototype, but further security improvements would be required before using the system on a large commercial scale. Several improvements can be considered for future development. A mobile application using React Native or Flutter could make QR code scanning more convenient and support limited offline functionality. Blockchain technology could also be explored to maintain a secure record of product history and transactions. Other possible improvements include online payment integration, AI-based detection of suspicious verification patterns, role-based access for multiple administrators, and an analytics dashboard for monitoring sales, verification attempts, and counterfeit products. Overall, the developed system provides a simple and cost-effective approach to product authentication. By combining QR code verification with purchase control, it can help consumers identify genuine products and reduce the repeated use of product codes. With further improvements and testing, the system could be extended for wider use in different industries.

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