March 2026

Secure Payments

3 Levels of Payment Security

Have you ever considered how stupid it is that a "security code" is literally printed on the back of your physical credit card? It's no wonder there's so much financial fraud, which we pay for via credit card fees, by the way.

There are better, more secure payment methods, but most people either don't know about them or think they're too complicated. Here's an easy breakdown:

​3 Levels of Payment Security (credit card alternatives)​

Go Deeper: We often don't realize just how much we end up paying in fees in order to cover payment fraud. Trust me...the banks don't take the hit on our behalf.

Fraud Costs Credit card fraud costs the average American $311, according to this report. ​Read the Report →​

Virtual Cards What exactly is a "virtual credit card" and what are the security advantages? Read more: ​Read the Explanation →​

The Hidden Wars

Hi [CORRECTED_NAME GOES HERE], right now there is non-stop news coverage about wars and conflicts happening all over the world. It's enough to make you want to delete your news app...or maybe that's just me?

These wars are newsworthy for obvious reasons: bombings, the impact on oil, the closure of Middle East airspace, etc.

But the fact is that there are hidden wars happening around the clock that most people are content to ignore. It impacts them, but since they feel powerless to do anything about it, they just shut it all out.

These hidden wars include:

• Cyber Wars: There might be missiles being dropped on Iran, but there's also state-linked cyberattacks simultaneously happening online. (see news link below)
• Financial Wars: Whether it's North Korea trying to hack crypto wallets to fund their government or scammers trying to gain access to your bank or credit card, it's non-stop.
• Data Privacy Wars: To combat all of this, companies and governments are fighting to claw back any shred of privacy we think we have online.

It's our choice as individuals how we respond to all of this. Yes, you can just ignore it and go about your regular life.

OR...

...you could take small steps every day or week to build better security, test more private products and just stay informed about best practices.

That's part of what this week's video on credit card alternatives is all about, but ultimately it's a reminder that we need to defy the default and continually be proactive about our cybersecurity and digital privacy.

This Week in Privacy News

​Cyberattacks in the Iran War​

State-linked and hacktivist groups have claimed a series of cyberattacks against the United States and Israel since the war with Iran began.

--> Euronews.com/next/2026/03/18/how-cyberattacks-are-being-used-as-weapons-in-the-iran-war

​China Breaches FBI Surveillance Network​

U.S. investigators believe hackers affiliated with the Chinese government are responsible for a cyber intrusion ​on an internal Federal Bureau of Investigation computer network that ‌holds information related to some domestic surveillance orders, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

--> Reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/us-suspects-china-breach-fbi-surveillance-network-wsj-reports-2026-03-06/
​

​Signal & WhatsApp Attacks​

Dutch intelligence services warn that Russian state‑backed hackers are running a large‑scale campaign to break into Signal and WhatsApp accounts of high‑value targets. Here's what they're doing...

--> Malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2026/03/signal-and-whatsapp-accounts-targeted-in-phishing-campaign

Credit Cards?

How often do you still pull out your physical credit card? Do you still type in your actual card number for online transactions?

If so, hopefully what I've shared today has been of some value. Have a great weekend,

✌️

Josh

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3824 Cedar Springs Rd #801-8170, Dallas, TX 75219
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