The Latest From Kevin The Tech Guy for April 18th 2025
I’ve moved my website to Substack and shifted focus to Quick Tips, Picks, and short videos. This update includes free tools and tips, plus deeper dives and security content for paid subscribers.
Intro
It’s been a few weeks since my last newsletter, and I apologize for that. Sometimes life gets in the way, and issues related to health and family take priority. So I appreciate everyone’s patience. I’m back.
Going forward, I’m mostly focusing on Quick Tips and Picks, including a weekly short video or two. I have many of those blog posts up already, so I’ll focus on videos for a while to add to them. I’ll also add new posts. Many of my longer blog posts are now behind the paywall for paid subscribers. That brings me to my next point…
I’m Moving My Website to Substack
I am making a big change: I’m moving my website to Substack.
This wasn’t an easy decision, and I want to be clear: I DO NOT agree with all of Substack’s choices as a company. But for where my home business is at right now, Substack offers the most practical and sustainable solution for both me and the people who follow and support my work. You can read more about that decision in detail HERE.
All of my blog posts have been moved to Substack. My old site will stay up a little longer, but will soon redirect to my new Substack homepage. No new blog posts or content will be posted on my old website. Eventually, visiting KevinTheTechGuy.ca will take you straight there.
I won’t repeat everything from the longer post, but I’ll say this: I really regret spending so much time building and maintaining my old website itself, trying to create something that was all my own with the help of my web host. Spending that time and money was a mistake as my business is starting out, where I truly needed to focus on creating content I set out to make for YOU. So, that’s what I’m doing now.
That said, it is worth reiterating how fantastic Web Savers has been to me as my website host. I have no regrets working with them at all, and I strongly recommend them.
Looking back, I should have started here on Substack and only considered a standalone site later, if it made sense. Now that I’m here, I plan to stay, unless things get worse here.
Anyway - ONWARD! Please support me on Substack going forward. $5/mo CAD gets you access to my paid posts and other benefits!
If you value my work and even this newsletter, please strongly consider becoming a paid subscriber. That said, this newsletter will ALWAYS be FREE.
There aren’t any new blog posts linked in this newsletter, but I wanted to feature a few of my blog posts, now on Substack, including those available to paid subscribers.
What’s On Tap
✅ Why I’m Moving My Website to Substack – A personal update on the switch, what it means for you, and what I learned from building my old site.
🧰 Kevin’s Picks: Consent-O-Matic – A smart browser add-on that handles cookie pop-ups so you don’t have to.
🔎 How To Clean Up Your Google Search Results – My go-to tools and tweaks to block ads, hide AI summaries, and simplify search.
🛡 Keeping Windows 10 Secure After 2025 (For Paid Subscribers) – How 0patch offers an easy, no-reboot way to stay protected without upgrading.
🔐 Apple’s Privacy Test with the UK (For Paid Subscribers) – A breakdown of Apple’s encryption standoff and what’s at stake for user privacy worldwide.
🍪 Kevin’s Picks: Consent-O-Matic – Browser Add-On for Automatic Cookie Management for Every Site
➜ The Short Version
Cookie pop-ups are designed to encourage you to share more than you want. This add-on fights back by automatically applying your privacy choices across every site you visit.
🔎 Know More
Cookie consent pop-ups are everywhere, and they’re rarely straightforward. They're often designed to confuse you or pressure you into accepting more tracking than you might be comfortable with. Companies highlight the “Accept All” button while burying the privacy-friendly options under multiple clicks. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s a subtle way of nudging users into giving up more data.
This blog post introduces Consent-O-Matic, a browser add-on created by privacy researchers at Aarhus University. Instead of making you click through those pop-ups on every site, this tool lets you set your cookie preferences once. From then on, it automatically handles cookie pop-ups by selecting the most privacy-protective options based on your choices.
🧹 How To Clean Up Your Google Search Results
➜ The Short Version
Tired of cluttered Google results? Here’s how I strip out the ads, AI summaries, and noise to get back to clean, traditional search—using tools like AdGuard, Startpage, and a few smart tweaks.
🔎 Know More
In this post, I share a few tools and tricks I use to keep my Google search results clean and focused. I start by using AdGuard, an ad blocker that removes search ads and self-promotion from websites, while also offering phishing and malware protection. I also enable an automatic filter setting to ensure the best experience. To further streamline my search, I use a Firefox extension called "Hide Google AI Overviews," which removes the AI-generated summaries that often clutter search results.
For an even cleaner search experience, I use Startpage.com as my homepage. It pulls from Google’s search engine but removes most of the ads and unnecessary clutter. I also rely on a trick from UDM14.com, which adds special characters to the Google search URL to strip out ads and AI content. While AI-powered search engines like Perplexity.ai are gaining traction, I still prefer the traditional search power of Google for many tasks.
🪟 Don’t Want to Upgrade to Windows 11? Here’s How 0patch Can Keep Your Windows 10 Secure Beyond October 2025 [Paid Subscribers]
➜ The Short Version
Windows 10 security updates end in 2025, but 0patch can keep your system secure with micro-patches that don’t need reboots. No upgrade required, just protection.
🔎 Know More
As of October 2025, Microsoft will stop providing free security updates for Windows 10, leaving users vulnerable to new threats unless they upgrade to Windows 11. However, for many, upgrading isn’t a practical solution due to compatibility issues, preference for the familiar interface, or the need for critical applications that may not run on Windows 11. This leaves users looking for alternatives to keep their systems secure.
One such solution is 0patch, which offers micro-patches for Windows 10, allowing users to stay protected long after official support ends. These small patches are applied directly to running processes in memory, so they don’t require a reboot, and they cover both known and zero-day vulnerabilities. With affordable pricing and the ability to extend Windows 10 security for years, 0patch provides a cost-effective way to maintain a secure system without the need for constant updates or forced upgrades.
🍎 Apple’s Moment of Truth on Encryption: A Purity Test for Its Commitment to Privacy [Paid Subscribers]
➜ The Short Version
Apple’s fight with the UK over iCloud privacy isn’t just a local issue. It could reshape global encryption. If they cave and set a precedent, governments everywhere will be able to demand access.
🔎 Know More
Apple is facing a major privacy showdown as the UK government demands a permanent backdoor into iCloud encryption under the Investigatory Powers Act. This isn’t just a one-time request—it’s about giving governments ongoing access to private user data, bypassing Apple entirely.
Experts like Matthew Green and Alex Stamos warn that if Apple gives in, other governments, including China, will follow, effectively dismantling end-to-end encryption worldwide. Apple’s Advanced Data Protection still offers strong encryption for now, but that protection could disappear, and it already has in the UK. If Apple complies to these government demands, it risks losing all credibility on privacy.
Honorable Mentions
⚠️ E-Transfer Scams Are on the Rise. Here’s How to Protect Yourself
🔁 Quick Tip: How To Backup And Restore Your Chrome Bookmarks
Final Thoughts
Thanks for sticking with me through the website changes. As I shift to Substack, I will focus on making the most of my time and energy by sharing more useful content.
Tips like those in this newsletter and in my blog posts that help you browse more privately, clean up your search results, and provide a solid solution for folks who want to stick with Windows 10 beyond October when support from Microsoft officially ends.
When it comes to bigger issues, like Apple's battle over encryption, I’ll continue to highlight why these moments actually matter to you. Whether you're here for the Quick Tips or the deeper dives behind the paywall, I'm glad you're here, and I appreciate your genuine support, especially you financial support.
