You probably scanned a QR code this week.
Maybe it opened a restaurant menu, a ticket, a payment page, or a website. Point your phone at a strange collection of black-and-white squares and somehow it knows what to do.
But how?
In this episode of Mr. Fred’s Tech Talks, Mr. Fred pulls back the curtain on QR codes and explains what is actually happening when your phone scans one.
You’ll discover why QR codes aren’t simply “website buttons,” what those three big squares in the corners are doing, why damaged QR codes can sometimes still work, and how error correction helps recover missing information.
There’s also an important cybersecurity twist. A QR code can hide where a link is taking you, which means scammers can use fake codes to lead people toward fraudulent login or payment pages. No need to fear QR codes, but it is worth remembering one simple habit: pause and verify before you tap.
Then try this episode’s Mr. Fred Tech Challenge: The QR Code Stress Test. Create a QR code, cover a small portion of it, scan it again, and keep experimenting until you discover how much damage it can handle.
It’s a simple experiment involving data, coding, computer vision, error correction, cybersecurity, and a bunch of little squares.
Learn more and explore additional technology activities at GetMeCoding.com.
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Keep learning. Keep building. Keep tinkering. And keep asking why.