The Latest From Kevin The Tech Guy - 3 Things To Know on Friday, Feb 7 2025
Lock apps with Face ID in iOS 18, rethink free antivirus, update 7-Zip to fix a security flaw, Pebble’s back, AppleCare+ is changing, and Microsoft’s January updates are causing audio issues.
Introduction
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If you’ve ever hesitated to hand your phone to someone because you didn’t want them snooping through your apps, iOS 18 has your back. Now, you can lock any app with Face ID—no more relying on app developers to include it as an option. Whether it’s your messages, banking apps, or social media, only your face can open them. It’s a simple change that makes a huge difference in privacy.
Speaking of security, I’ve also been rethinking my approach to antivirus software. Free options might seem convenient, but the hidden trade-offs can be serious—some even collect and sell your personal data. If you’re still using free antivirus, you might want to reconsider.
If 7-Zip is your go-to for opening compressed files, you need to install the latest version. A flaw was recently discovered that lets malicious files bypass Windows safety checks, but the fix is out now—you just have to install it manually.
Plus, a few other interesting updates: Pebble smartwatches are coming back, Microsoft’s latest Windows update has caused audio issues, and Apple is tweaking AppleCare+ plans. Let’s dive in.
What’s on Tap
Latest Blog Posts:
Lock Any App with Face ID in iOS 18
The Problems With Free Antivirus Software
7-Zip Security Flaw – Update Now
Some Quick Tech News:
Pebble smartwatches are making a comeback.
Apple is phasing out multi-year AppleCare+ plans.
Microsoft’s latest Windows update is causing audio issues.
Google is improving Android notifications with Live Updates.
Apple patched a security flaw affecting all devices.
Keep Your iPhone Apps Private with Face ID Per App in iOS 18
The Short Version
iOS 18 lets you lock any app with facial recognition, so you can only open it with your face ID. Whether it’s messages, social media, or anything other app, this feature keeps your apps secure when letting someone use your phone for a moment.
Know More
With iOS 18, Apple is giving iPhone users more control over their privacy by allowing them to lock any app with Face ID. This means that even if you hand your phone to a friend, coworker, or family member, they won’t be able to access apps you’ve secured—messages, social media, financial accounts, or anything else you’d rather keep private. Unlike before, when only certain apps supported Face ID at the developer’s discretion, this update ensures that every app on your device can be locked down if you choose.
Setting it up is simple: just long-press an app icon, select Require Face ID, and confirm. From then on, anyone trying to open the app will need your biometric authentication, keeping your personal content off-limits. It’s perfect for situations where you need to share your phone but not everything on it—whether you’re handing it to a child for a game, letting a coworker make a call, or lending it to a friend to check something quickly.
I absolutely LOVE this feature, and use it every day. It’s reassuring to have my iPhone confirm that it is indeed me who is trying to open an app. I just really like that.
The Problems With Free Antivirus Software
The Short Version
Free antivirus software promises protection, but the hidden trade-offs can put your privacy and security at risk. Here’s why I stopped relying on most free options—and why you might want to reconsider too.
Know More
I used to rely on and recommend free antivirus software, but I’ve stopped, with the exception of Microsoft Defender (Virus and Threat Protection).
Avast has been the go-to for many, but was caught collecting and selling user data, including financial status and political beliefs, and anything else it could gather from your computer. That raised a bigger question—what other risks come with free antivirus programs?
If you can afford it, I strongly recommend ESET. This blog post explains why.
Urgent Update: If You Use 7-Zip, You Need to Patch It Now!
The Short Version
A security flaw in 7-Zip lets dangerous files sneak past Windows warnings, putting your computer at risk. Since 7-Zip doesn’t update itself, you’ll need to patch it manually—here’s how to do it.
Know More
If you use 7-Zip to open compressed files, you need to update it now. A newly discovered security flaw lets attackers bypass Windows’ built-in safety checks, meaning you could unknowingly open a dangerous file without any warning.
The good news? The issue has already been fixed in 7-Zip version 24.09. The bad news? 7-Zip doesn’t update itself automatically, so unless you manually download and install the latest version, you’re still at risk.
Tech News You Might Have Missed
Apple reportedly phasing out option to purchase multi-year plans of AppleCare+
Microsoft Confirms January Update Issues: Audio Problems Hit Windows PCs
Here's how Google's changing notifications in Android 16 with Live Updates
Final Thoughts
That’s it for this week! I hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of the newsletter. I’m always open to your feedback!
I’ve already locked down a few apps with Face ID, and honestly, it’s nice knowing no one else can take a peek without explicit consent.
If you’re still using a free antivirus, it might be time to rethink that and consider using ESET to avoid the trade-offs of privacy vs security.
And if you’ve got 7-Zip installed, go ahead and update it now before it slips your mind.
My first “smartwatch” was a Pebble, and I dearly miss it, so I’m looking forward to what they’re coming up with next! I’m happy with my Apple Watch (Series 7), but it’s expensive and more than I need, but it was the next best reliable option at the time. I’ll probably end up using both in some capacity in between charges.
What are your thoughts? I’d love to know! Please reach out! Thanks for taking a few minutes. See you on Monday for 3 Things To Try, and next Friday for a new edition of 3 Things To Know!
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