QR codes (Quick Response Code) became popular during the covid-19 pandemic, allowing contact-anxious diners to read the menu on their mobile phone. However, many people who are not that close to technology don’t know what they are or how they work.

It can be assumed that the barcode is the predecessor of the QR code. The difference is that while barcodes only store information horizontally with parallel lines (in one dimension), QR codes can store it both vertically and horizontally (in two dimensions).

What is it?

QR codes were created in 1994 by the Japanese company dense wave.

They are an encryption system that stores data that can be accessed quickly. These can store a wide variety of data about a particular product or activity and are a convenient way to provide information via mobile devices. You can store up to 4,296 characters or 7,089 digits in a single code, making it possible to host large amounts of content. It can only be read with smartphones or devices that support code reading via apps.

There are two types of codes that are commonly used. These are static and dynamic.

The static codes are the ones that once created become permanent and the information cannot be changed. If you want to change anything in the data you’re sharing, you’ll need to create new code. The static ones are ideal for documents such as emails, phone numbers and calendar events.

The dynamic codes they allow their user to change data without having to create a new one. The dynamic ones are better for documents that contain videos, audio, and changing URLs.

applications

Because it is so accessible, this technology has many applications. You can embed in the code various information formats such as texts, URLs, contacts (such as name, phone number, email and more) that can be stored directly on your device. There are also event codes and you can give directions; You can also take care of the internet connection without having to provide a password and you can only carry out payment transactions by scanning them.

Security issues

The codes themselves are impossible to hack, as they store pre-existing pages. Security issues can arise for users who don’t know who created that QR, because codes with a malicious URL can be embedded, which can cause problems or introduce viruses to the phone of the person who opens it, as it is usually less protected than others are a computer. That’s why it’s important to only open QR codes that come from trusted individuals or entities.

How do you use it?

There are many websites that you can use for free to create these codes. Google Chrome provides an option to create QR for web pages when you start sharing the URL. You just have to look at the top right corner of the search bar.

For those using Apple phones, all you need to do is access the camera, point to the code and follow the URL that appears on the screen.

On Androids, you should find the option to scan QR code, which is usually in the camera, but can also be found on other parts of the phone. For other types of equipment, such as tablets or iPads, an application must be downloaded to scan.