News July 18, 2024
How to Shop With Virtual Credit Cards to Protect Your Privacy
In the pursuit of safeguarding our personal and financial data, it’s crucial to maintain a sense of discretion when sharing information about ourselves. By concealing email addresses, phone numbers, and even credit and debit card details, we can create a technological barrier between ourselves and those with whom we interact. This approach not only protects us from potential data breaches but also enables transactions to proceed as usual.
Virtual cards, in particular, offer an added layer of control over how they are used, allowing individuals to set up multiple cards for distinct purposes or merchants. For instance, one card could be designated for transportation expenses while another is reserved for online food delivery. Although fees may apply depending on usage, some virtual card providers operate free of charge by generating revenue from merchants through credit or debit card fees.
The process of obtaining a virtual card is straightforward: sign up and receive a new set of details, including the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and CVV. These digits can then be shared with online retailers while keeping actual information private. The virtual card provider handles all transactions behind the scenes, ensuring that merchants never see real details. If necessary, users can simply delete their virtual card and start anew.
When selecting a virtual card provider, it’s essential to choose one that is reputable and widely used, as they will be handling sensitive financial information. Look for providers that publish information about their auditing and security processes, and consider opting for a virtual card from an existing card provider or bank if available.
Spotify, Stop Trying to Become a Social Media App
Spotify’s decision to introduce comment sections under podcasts is no surprise, given the trend of apps borrowing each other’s most popular features. The music streaming giant has been flirting with social tools for years, and its latest move allows podcast publishers to review and select comments submitted by users. While Spotify plans to implement an option for comments to default to public, it’s unclear what content guidelines will be in place to prevent the kind of anonymous bullying and predatory behavior that plagues YouTube comment sections. The platform is aware of these risks, having declined Joe Rogan’s request to enable comments on his episodes due to concerns about abuse. Creators who opt-in for comments will bear the responsibility of reviewing each one, which could deter some from participating.
Newly Discovered Moon Caves Could One Day House Astronauts
The existence of caves beneath the moon’s surface has been a topic of debate for decades, but now we can confirm that they do indeed exist. A team of international researchers led by the University of Trento in Italy has published a study in Nature Astronomy revealing evidence of accessible areas beneath the lunar surface. This discovery could be crucial for the construction of future colonies on the moon, providing sheltered areas from hostile environmental conditions such as meteorites and radiation. The research team analyzed data captured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2010, which revealed a hidden lava tube in the Sea of Tranquility that could one day be accessible to astronauts. According to the researchers, this discovery provides the first direct evidence of an accessible rock tunnel beneath the surface of the moon. The findings have important implications for future lunar missions, as sheltered areas are needed for probe landing sites or long-term lunar infrastructure.
NYT Strands hints, answers for July 18
As you navigate the world of Strands, the New York Times’ brain-teasing word-search game, you may find yourself stuck or in need of a little extra help to progress at your own pace. Luckily, we’ve got all the NYT Strands hints for today’s puzzle right here, including the theme and spangram answer. Today’s theme is cleverly disguised as “At your fingertips,” which refers to the keys on a keyboard - something you might be touching as you read this. The spangram answer is revealed to be “keyboard” itself, and if you’re looking for more daily online games or hints for another game, Mashable’s Games page has got you covered.
The Kindle deals were kind of disappointing this Prime Day, but these ones are still live
As Prime Day continues to unfold, we’re still waiting for those jaw-dropping Kindle deals that never quite materialize. Despite our high hopes, the discounts on Amazon’s e-readers are more modest than expected, with prices only dipping slightly from their usual marks. However, there are some notable exceptions worth snagging if you’re in the market for a new Kindle. The Kindle Scribe, for instance, has seen its 16GB version with Basic Pen drop to $234.99 - a 31% discount and its lowest price on record. Meanwhile, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids is available for $149.99, a 12% savings from its usual price. If you’re looking to score an e-reader for your kids, this deal is particularly noteworthy, as it’s distraction-free and perfect for young readers.