Hello, and welcome…
Rick’s Daily Tech Tips Update for Monday, February 5, 2024
Topics covered in this issue…
• Why online retailers ask for your card’s CVV number
• A warning about your Facebook Privacy settings
• Review: Hiearcool USB-C Hub / Laptop Docking Station
• Video: How many of these things from the 70s can you remember?
• January’s Tech Tips Giveaway – Win this ViewSonic VX3276-4K-MHD 32 Inch 4K UHD Monitor
Today’s issue is sponsored by…
Margaret Bourne – Blogging Coach – As your blog coach and blog growth strategist, I’ll help you develop a strategic plan and roadmap to grow your blog, monetize it and grow your online presence as a niche expert to achieve your goals and start making money.
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Monthly Tech Giveaway….
We have a winner for January…
Congratulations to Krysten B. from Bellevue, Nebraska for winning the ViewSonic VX3276-4K-MHD 32 Inch 4K UHD Monitor in January’s Tech Tips Giveaway.
February’s winner will receive a super-compact, but powerful Beelink Mini PC (click for details).
The prizes featured in my Monthly Tech Giveaways include a combination of the best items I have received for testing and review and brand new items provided directly by partner companies.
All winners are selected at random. All Standard subscribers have an equal chance to win. All Premium subscribers have double the chance to win (their email addresses are added to the pot twice).
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Today’s featured tech tip….
Why online retailers ask for your card’s CVV number
If you shop online you’ve surely noticed how many online retailers ask you to enter your credit/debit card’s three digit “security code” or CVV number along with the regular 16 digit card number and expiration date.
Have you ever wondered what the purpose of that CVV number is?
CVV stands for “Card Verification Value”, and like the card’s 16 digit card number itself, the CVV number helps identify your card as belonging to you and the specific account that it is linked to.
Retailers are prevented by law from storing CVV numbers. They can only use the CVV number to help authenticate your card for that one transaction, after which they must immediately discard it.
That makes your card information a lot less likely to be used fraudulently online by any crook who manages to steal it because without the CVV number any retailer that requires it will refuse to accept the card.
While it does add a beneficial extra layer of security to any transaction that requires it, a card’s CVV number isn’t fool-proof as a security measure, for the following reasons:
1 – A crook could always use the rest of the card info to create a fake physical “clone” card and use it in a local brick and mortar store where CVV numbers are ignored.
2 – Some online retailers either make entering the CVV number optional or simply don’t ask for it at all.
Bottom line: While your card’s CVV number can’t guarantee that your card info will never be used in a fraudulent manner, it greatly reduces the risk that it will be used by a crook to make fraudulent purchases from an online retailer.
The latest from Rick’s Daily Tips Tech Blog…
• A warning about your Facebook Privacy settings
This post explains why your Privacy settings can’t completely protect the info and photos you post on Facebook.
• Review: Hiearcool USB-C Hub / Laptop Docking Station
A great product with one serious limitation for Mac users.
• Click here to see today’s ‘Picture of the Day’.
Every morning I post a new photo that I find inspiring, intriguing, or just plain beautiful to look at. Jumpstart your day by checking it out.
Rick’s Daily Pick…
SimpliSafe 12 Piece Wireless Home Security System w/HD Camera
Quality home security systems used to be super-expensive and overly complicated, but no more.
SimpliSafe has revolutionized the field of home security with devices that work seamlessly together and are easy to install, set up and use. This system is an excellent value for the money.
Today’s post from ‘My Daily Smile’…
Video: How many of these things from the 70s can you remember?
Sweet nostalgia.
Tech news that caught my eye…
• NYC ends trial run of Times Square subway’s security robot
• Samsung to reveal superfast DDR5 memory chip
• Edge extensions on Android: A genuine reason to switch from Chrome
• Android 15 might force more apps to take up 100% of your screen
• Google IT hardware manager: Moore’s Law has been dead for 10 years
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Thanks so much, and have an amazing day.
Your tech buddy,
Rick Rouse
https://www.RicksDailyTips.com