That doesn’t only apply to barcode scanner apps. You shouldn’t install unofficial apps unless you’re certain the source is trustworthy.īut every now and then, an app on the Google Play Store makes headlines for housing malware or spyware behind Google’s back and infecting millions of users. The most basic advice to keeping your Android device safe is to avoid installing unofficial apps and APK from third-party websites and stick to apps officially on the Google Play Store. But if your phone doesn’t have that, you may have to install a third-party app from the Google Play Store or AppStore.
In the case of iPhones, anything running iOS 11 and above comes with a built-in barcode scanner. Nowadays, most smartphones have built-in QR and barcode readers-all you have to do is take a clear picture of the code. You need a specialized scanner that can translate the pixelated information. You can find them everywhere, from products on store shelves to posters and paper ads.īut unlike shortened and full-length links, barcodes are impossible to read with the naked eye. QR codes and barcodes are a collection of lines or pixels that can hold data and information into a small, easy-to-replicate and share rectangle.
