The Latest From Kevin The Tech Guy - 3 Things To Know on Friday, Feb 14 2025
Lock your iPhone apps with Face ID, replace free antivirus with stronger protection, and patch that 7-Zip flaw before hackers exploit it. Plus, big changes to my business—here’s what’s next.
Introduction
Hey there,
I’m KevinTheTechGuy.ca. This newsletter is free and always will be. If you appreciate my work, please support me monthly or once on my website.
Over the past few months, I’ve been testing the waters to see what might work better for my home business in 2025. At the same time, I’ve been trying to figure out what I can realistically manage as a sole proprietor—especially with my health issues in the mix. There’s always a balance between ambition and what’s actually doable, and I’ve been feeling that tension lately.
As of February 10th 2025, I am no longer be offering drop-off computer repair or remote support. Instead, I’m going to simplify things and focus on what I enjoy most—writing blog posts and newsletters, creating short tech tip videos, and I might turn them into short podcast episodes as well.
To read more about these changes, please check out my blog post.
This week, we’ve got some important updates to keep your devices secure and running smoothly. iOS 18 introduces a long-overdue feature—Face ID app locks—so you can finally keep prying eyes out of any of your apps. If you’ve ever hesitated before handing your phone to a friend or letting a kid borrow it, this one’s for you.
On the Windows side, free antivirus like Defender does a decent job, but if you want better protection, it might be time to replace it with something stronger, like ESET. I’ll break down why it’s worth considering, especially if you want better detection, fewer false positives, and extra security features that free options just don’t offer.
If you use 7-Zip, there’s a critical security flaw you need to patch manually. Since 7-Zip doesn’t update itself, hackers are exploiting this vulnerability, bypassing Windows security warnings. I’ll walk you through how to fix it before it becomes a problem.
Plus, Microsoft’s latest Patch Tuesday updates, Apple fixing a critical USB security flaw, and some surprising claims about ad blockers causing website failures. Let’s get into it.
—Kevin The Tech Guy
What’s on Tap
Lock It Down – iOS 18 finally lets you lock individual apps with Face ID. No more worrying about someone snooping through your phone when you hand it over.
Free Antivirus? Maybe Not Enough – Windows Defender does an okay job, but if you want better protection with fewer false alarms, ESET is worth considering.
Patch Your 7-Zip, Like, Now – A nasty security flaw lets bad files sneak past Windows warnings. Since 7-Zip doesn’t update itself, you’ll need to fix this one manually.
Windows Update Time – Microsoft just dropped its latest Patch Tuesday updates. If you’re running Windows 11, now’s the time to install them, but take note of the new Outlook app replacing Windows Mail.
USB Security Fix for iPhones – Apple patched a critical flaw that could let attackers mess with your iPhone through a physical USB connection. There’s more to this than you might initially realize. Update your device.
Ad Blockers Are the New Scapegoat – Some sites are blaming ad blockers for breaking their pages, but that’s just what they want you to think. The truth is a little more complicated.
Big Changes on My End – I’m shifting gears in 2025, focusing on writing, tech tip videos, and maybe even short podcast episodes. No more drop-off repairs or remote support, but I’ll still be sharing free content. Want to support my work? You can chip in monthly or with a one-time tip or monthly contribution.
CORRECTION:
Hey everyone,
I want to take a moment to correct something I got wrong in a recent newsletter. I mentioned that Paris Martineau wouldn’t be returning as a cohost on the newly rebranded Intelligent Machines, but that was a misunderstanding on my part. Paris did take some time off, but she is still very much a cohost on the show.
I appreciate those who reached out to clarify, I regret my mistake, and I apologize, especially to Paris. The transition from This Week in Google to Intelligent Machines is a big shift, and while I still miss the old format, I’m looking forward to seeing where the new show goes—with Paris and the rest of the team at the helm.
Thanks for reading, and I appreciate your patience when I (inevitably) get things wrong from time to time!
Keep Your iPhone Apps Private with Face ID Per App in iOS 18
The Short Version
With iOS 18, you can lock any app with Face ID, making it easy to keep your private apps truly private. Whether you're handing your phone to a friend or letting a kid play a game, you can control what stays off-limits. It’s a simple way to add extra security without extra hassle.
Know More
With iOS 18, Apple has made it easier than ever to keep your private apps truly private. Now, you can lock any app with Face ID, ensuring that only you can open it—no more worrying about someone accidentally (or intentionally) snooping through your messages, social media, or personal files. Whether you're handing your phone to a friend, letting a child play a game, or just keeping certain apps off-limits, this feature gives you full control over your privacy. It’s quick to set up and works seamlessly, adding an extra layer of security without disrupting how you use your iPhone.
The Problems With Free Antivirus Software
The Short Version
Free antivirus like Windows Defender works well for most people who follow safe computing habits, but it has its limits. If you want stronger protection and faster threat detection, a paid antivirus like ESET is worth considering. Here’s why it makes a difference.
Know More
For most people, Windows Defender is enough—if you follow safe computing habits. It offers solid protection, but it has drawbacks like false positives and being tied directly to Windows, which means it can be disabled if the system is compromised.
A paid antivirus like ESET goes further by blocking threats before they run, reducing false alarms, and adding extra layers of security like webcam and USB protection. If you browse safely and avoid risky downloads, Defender should work fine, but if you want stronger, better protection, ESET is worth considering. This 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 extract files, a security flaw could put your computer at risk. Normally, Windows warns you about potentially dangerous files, but this bug lets hackers bypass those warnings—meaning you could open something harmful without realizing it. The issue has been fixed in the latest version (24.09), but since 7-Zip doesn’t update itself, you’ll need to download and install the patch manually. It only takes a few minutes, and doing it now can help keep your computer safe.
Tech News You Might Have Missed
Microsoft Releases February 2025 Patch Tuesday Updates for Windows 11
How to stop macOS Sequoia sharing your Safari and Spotlight searches with Apple
How sites are falsely blaming ad blockers for site breakdowns
Apple’s New iPhone Update Fixes a Critical USB Security Flaw
Apple Intelligence still the weakest link in the iPhone 16 Pro Max
How to turn off Apple Intelligence on all your Apple devices
LibreOffice 25.2 released, bringing multiple improvements to the suite
Final Thoughts
That’s a wrap for this week! iOS 18’s new Face ID app lock is a much-needed privacy boost, and if you’re still relying on Windows Defender, it might be time to switch to something stronger like ESET. And don’t forget to patch that 7-Zip vulnerability—small updates like this can prevent big problems down the road.
On a more personal note, I’ve been making some changes to my home business. Over the past few months, I’ve been figuring out what’s sustainable for me in 2025, especially with my health in mind.
I’m shifting my focus to what I truly enjoy—writing blog posts, creating short tech tip videos, and maybe even turning them into quick podcast episodes.
I’ll still be writing free blog posts and sending out my FREE Substack newsletter, and if you find my content valuable, I’d really appreciate your support.
If you want to read more about these changes, check out my latest blog post. Thanks for being here, and I’ll see you next time!
—Kevin The Tech Guy
Please Support My Work
I offer my newsletter and sub-newsletter (blog post teasers) on Substack for FREE to promote my home business and website blog posts. I will never financially support Substack. Please consider supporting my work directly for $5/mo or via one-time options, as noted on my website. Your support makes my work possible.
There are not paid ads. I simply want to support some friends:
Seth has now cut my hair twice. He’s not only an incredibly skilled barber based in Red Deer, but also a genuinely fantastic guy! He has supported my business, so I’m excited to spread the word about his work as well!
Also, his FREE newsletter is absolutely wonderful and hilarious! Sadly you can’t sign up for them on his website for some reason, but check out the archives! Send him a quick email, or get signed up after a haircut! I’m trying to get him on Substack as well. He says he just has to find the time. Fair enough.
Kim Siever has been a good friend of mine since we first joined Twitter in 2007 when I was going to college in Lethbridge. He’s a terrific person, and he’s passionate about his home business, AlbertaWorker.ca, where he focuses on issues directly affecting the working class in Alberta. Please check out his website, and support him on his website or Patreon.