Have you been wondering about those funny square codes you’ve been seeing in the corner of advertisements, tucked onto product labels, and the occasional news article? Well, they are there for you to scan and learn more about that item.

Created in Japan decades ago, QR codes are coming to greater prominence in the US with the rise of smartphones. While you could take a picture of a QR code with a regular camera, and then feed that digital image into a QR program later, they are typically intended to get you information via your smartphone on the go.

You can recognize a QR code by the distinctive three boxes in the corners and it’s square shape. Their intended shape is quite boxy and typically black and white, but some companies are experimenting with wavy lines, color, or including an image within the QR. There are lots of other codes, including the classic “bar code,” that are used for inventory tracking and other business purposes, but in the United States, QR codes are typically intended as a way for businesses to communicate with customers.

What information is within a QR code? While any string of characters can be included, it is most typically a website. Sometimes it is just text, and occasionally contact information in a special format, like a vCard. But you have to scan the code to find out what information is contained within.

Start Scanning

To start scanning QR codes you will need both a device with a camera and a program (or application) to interpret the scanned image. Most smartphones from the last three or four years should be able to both scan the code and run an app to interpret the code. If the phone (or other device) has steadying capabilities and a flash for increasing the light, your ability to successfully scan the codes will increase.

There are a number of free and paid apps for phones to scan images. If you pay for an application, consider getting one that scans more than QR codes. Some of them will also scan additional code types as well as plain text. The text scanners still have flaws, but at least know what you are scanning.

Don’t forget good security

Ideally the app will also provide you with some security measures. Just as a bad website can do very horrible things to your computer, a QR code can take you to a site that will break or compromise your phone. However, if you have your phone backed up in case of problem and are careful to scan codes connected to known brands or organizations, you are likely to be just fine. A QR code on a sticker on a building, or a homemade poster might be worth skipping unless you know your scanner has security protection.

QR codes are showing up in television ads, magazines, billboards, movie previews, and more. They are simply another way to get you information quickly, and with a little care, can be a lot of fun.

Further reading

• Synotac: http://ow.ly/7t62y
• QR Codes (Wikipedia): http://ow.ly/7t66l
• Security Concerns:
• http://ow.ly/7t687
• http://ow.ly/7t69d