WEEKLY WHEATIES #2509

Private Information, Alexa+, DirecTV, History

Mar 02, 2025

In this newsletter:

📝 Post: Tips to Keep Your Personal Information Private
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Introducing Alexa+
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: DirecTV Streaming Bundles
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Tech Headlines
😎 Pick of the Week: History in a Timeline
📦 Featured Product: Bluetooth Label Maker

📝 Tips to Keep Your Personal Information Private

Last week in Weekly Wheaties #2508, I talked about a few types of scams to be aware of. However, there are thousands more that pop-up and disappear just as quickly. Since it’s impossible to cover all of them, I wanted to share some general information on things to be aware of that can help keep your information private and keep you from getting scammed as best you can. Some of these tips may be information combined from other newsletters, but they always bear repeating.

First up is credit cards! I’ve talked in the past that, in general, credit cards are safer than debit cards. At least as far as when purchasing items online and regarding potential scams (sorry, Temu and Shein). So, the first step is to use PayPal or another payment intermediary when possible. I have suggested and use Privacy.com regularly.

However, what happens when your credit (or debit) card gets ‘hacked’? Well, for starters, there are a few ways this may happen. As mentioned, using your card on a website overseas, or even one stateside that may not be legitimate, is the first thing to look out for. Next, we would check what type of checkout system is in place. If the website is using Square, Stripe, or another well-known payment processor, that’s great. This means the website owner will not have access to your payment methods.

In-person, simply be careful which commerce stores you frequent, verify their scanner doesn’t have a dummy scanner placed on it, and use the chip (or Apple/Google Pay) when possible. The touch-to-pay methods are much more secure in that they only offer a ‘token’ or one-time payment method to the business. Your card info is all but useless after the fact. This is why RFID-blocking wallets are popular - they actually have a real-life use, blocking people from getting close and scanning your wallet. But… there’s a much more nuanced approach to scamming credit cards.

Whether you have MasterCard, Visa, American Express, etc., they all have a similar fault: the numbering scheme. Typically, cards of the same brand and area share the first 4, if not 8, numbers. If you use that card somewhere with a typical scan, in many cases, the last 4 numbers are shown. Then, a scammer could test multiple numbers, expiry dates, and CCV codes until something hits. They already may know your zip code from where you scanned the card and/or an online search of your number. Then, using a tool, a new card can be created, taken to any store anywhere, and scanned for a new purchase. Check out this video on YouTube that shows how Credit card cloning is too easy!

Similarly with credit cards are PIN codes. You have a more ‘robust’ PIN code than 1234, right? Because 9% of you do. Other popular numbers include repeated digits and birth years from ~1960 on. Meaning that if someone knows your birth year, that’s probably where they’ll start. Followed by your kids’. So, Is your PIN code among the first ones hackers are likely to try?

Let’s move on to email and text. I’ve talked about this ad nauseam, too, so it’ll be quick. Put simply, don’t click on links from any text message or email if you don’t know the sender. Report as junk and don’t interact. Check the email address on emails you receive - not just the name of the email account. Something may say it’s from PayPal or Capital One, but if the email doesn’t end in @paypal.com or @capitalone.com - then you know it’s a scam. Again, report it and don’t reply. And definitely don’t click any links or give them any more information - especially bank accounts, credit cards, or login/passwords.

Social media and apps, in general, are also becoming places where scammers gain information. As best you can, keep as much information on these apps as private as you can. Many of them ask for tons of information about you that is not required. This can include any and all of the following apps: food delivery, car services, social media, dating, fitness, and even games.

Next, be careful about who and what app you give your phone number to. Consider signing up for a free Google Voice number to use for things that don’t need your main number. Do you have a spam email? Now, get a spam phone number.

Lastly, what can you do if your information has already been compromised? Well, luckily enough, there are services to help with that. I know it sounds a bit ironic, but as best we can tell, yes - these companies are legitimately helping protect your data. And yes, you have to give them certain personal information. This is why it’s important you realize to who and where you are giving this information. Essentially, they take your information, scan the records of data breaches (the National Public Data breach last year, for example), and have your information removed as best they can. They also help monitor your information and accounts.

Example services helping here include:

If you’d rather not pay, there are ways to do this yourself, but it can be very time-consuming and tedious. Check out this IntelTechniques Data Removal Guide. Incogni also shared a list of how to Opt-Out & Remove Your Data from 85+ Data Brokers and How to check if someone is using my Social Security Number?

Remember last year; the College students used Meta’s smart glasses to dox people in real-time? If you missed that story, at least watch this video posted on X. Luckily, they kept the software private(ish, at least). I’m sure they have since hired on with some tech company and were paid millions by now. Anyways, they shared how to remove yourself from public searches. And since they used those methods to find people, I’m sure it helps!

What other methods are you utilizing to keep your information safe?

🗞️ ICYMI: Introducing Alexa+

Amazon Introduced Alexa+, the next generation of Alexa. It appears it will work on the web at Alexa.com, on most of your Echo devices, and the mobile app on your phone. The upgraded Alexa assistant will be more conversational to compete with other AI bots but can also integrate with other apps and hardware - especially those within the Alexa ecosystem (including Ring cameras). Panos Panay, Amazon's Products and Services Chief, says “the new Alexa knows almost everything in your life”, including your schedule, smart home, preferences, devices you use, people you're connected to, and entertainment you enjoy.

There’s a full lineup of integrated devices at all sizes, including the wall-mountable Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21 released last year. These two have Fire TV built in, so they can double as a small TV - especially for the kitchen. Alexa+ will roll out in the coming weeks at $20/month, or is included with your Amazon Prime account.

🗞️ ICYMI: DirecTV Streaming Bundles

As the streaming wars continue to heat up, DirecTV Launches Budget-Friendly Streaming Bundles for starting at $35. Aside from their more expensive Signature Packages (starting at $87), there are now 3 new Genre Packages to choose from.

First, for $35, the “MyEntertainment” Base Pack includes 40+ channels, including: basic news (CNN and FOX), and popular entertainment channels like A&E, Bravo, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, History, and more. It also comes with a basic subscription to Disney+ and Hulu. In my opinion, this is a great deal and will probably be my default option for most people…. It is reminiscent of the original YouTube TV package.

Second, for $40, the “MyNews” Base Pack includes 10+ news channels, including: CNBC, CNN, the FOX lineup (including the local stream), and MSNBC. I’m not sure why you’d get this unless you really want the local FOX live stream (which you can access with an antenna) or need a slew of various new channels.

Third, for $70, the “MySports” Base Pack includes 25+ sports channels, including: the full ESPN lineup, ACC, Big 10, SEC, Fox Sports, Golf, TBS, TNT, and USA, among others. It also includes basic news (CNN and FOX). If you only need sports, this is the way to go, but for the price hike, YouTube TV or Hulu Live may still be worth the extra channels.

🗞️ ICYMI: Tech Headlines

😎 POTW: History in a Timeline

Understanding our past and potential order of historical events is just as important as it is difficult. However, I saw this post about the 6,000 Years of History Visualized in a 23-Foot-Long Timeline of World History. It was created in 1871, so that’s about where much of the history stops, but it’s still pretty neat! Then, I found the timeline online through the David Rumsey Historical Map Collection and a copy in book form available for purchase on Amazon.

To go along with the map, how about a few other historical posts and thoughts:

📦 Featured Product

Last week, in talking with some coworkers, I mentioned we should use not just any label maker, but, of course, a Bluetooth Label Maker. Allowing labels to be printed from your phone with emojis, pictures, QR codes, and even bar codes. However, it’s also a thermal printer, meaning there’s no ink required. A potential downside to this is the labels may fade over time, especially if placed outside, in direct sunlight, or placed near heat.