About Gavin Phillips
Gavin is the Technology Explained Section Editor, co-host on the Really Useful Podcast, and a frequent product reviewer. He has a degree in Contemporary Writing pillaged from the hills of Devon, and more than a decade of professional writing experience. He enjoys copious amounts of tea, board games, and football.
Everything You Need to Know About Bulletproof Hosting Services
Cybercriminals use special secure servers known as bulletproof hosting. Why can't the government just take these servers down?
The Best Sandbox Tools to Safely Test Windows Programs
When testing a new program, use a sandbox environment to protect your system from harmful software.
Should Google Act Faster to Remove Malicious Copycat Apps?
Scammers can use open-source code to create fake apps, and you need to avoid cloned apps on Google Play.
Everything You Need to Know About WPA3 and Wi-Fi Security
The Wi-Fi Alliance newest standard of Wi-Fi security is WPA3. What does it improve? Will your router use it? And when will WPA3 become available?
What Is a Botnet and Is Your Computer Part of One?
Botnets are a major source of malware, ransomware, spam, and more. But what is a botnet? How do they come into existence? Who controls them? And how can we stop them?
What Is Quad9 DNS and Is It Better Than OpenDNS?
If you want to change your DNS, you typically have a choice of Google Public DNS, OpenDNS, and many more. So is new service Quad9 DNS faster, or more secure? Let's find out.
Are Android Ad Trackers Invading Your Privacy?
Exodus security researchers identified 71 trackers in more than 800 Android apps. What does that mean for you? We take a look at Android ad trackers to find out.
The Major Cybersecurity Events of 2017 and What They Did to You
Were you the victim of a hack in 2017? Billions were, in what was clearly the worst year in cybersecurity yet. With so much happening, you may have missed some of the breaches: let's recap.
Is Kaspersky Still Reliable Antivirus Software?
Security news is currently awash with a series of accusations against one of the world's leading antivirus developers, Kaspersky Lab. So, can you trust Kaspersky antivirus, or does it let Putin into your PC?
Android vs. iPhone: Which Is More Secure in 2017?
But before you rush out and buy a new smartphone, consider this: which is the most secure smartphone operating system? Is it an Android device or an iPhone? Let's look at the facts.
Apple Patches Major macOS Security Issue: Check Your Updates Now
Apple has issued a patch to fix a shocking new vulnerability affecting almost all macOS High Sierra systems. Unpatched systems, however, remain insecure...
The Complete Malware Removal Guide
Malware is everywhere these days, and eradicating malware from your system is a lengthy process, requiring guidance. If you think your computer is infected, this is the guide you need.
3 Blockchain Credit Agencies Changing Our Relationship With Money
Credit agencies are relics of the past, dinosaurs prone to abuse, fraud, and identity theft. It's time to talk about the technology that will stop another Equifax-style loss of data taking place: blockchain.
How Can You Avoid Being Stung by PC Hardware Price Collusion?
Price fixing goes against everything the so-called "free market" stands for. And it's illegal. Even so, collusion plagues numerous industries. And the PC hardware industry is no different.
Should I Remove My Laptop Battery To Increase its Life?
Does running your laptop on AC power damage the battery? Should you remove the battery to increase its lifetime? You've probably wondered about this. Find out the answer now!
5 Windows 10 Features You Should Stop Using Soon
Microsoft is cleaning up! Many Windows features will be removed or deprecated. See which key features you should replace before your next Windows upgrade.
Top 10 Free Online Tycoon Games You Should Try
Looking for free tycoon games? With these 10 hits, you can manage music studios, theme barks, hotels, and more in your browser.
Why We Should Never Let the Government Break Encryption
Living with terrorist means we face regular calls for a truly ridiculous notion: create government accessible encryption backdoors. But it's not practical. Here's why encryption is vital to day to day life.
4 Syskey Encryption Alternatives for Windows 10
Windows encryption tool Syskey will disappear with the upcoming Windows 10 update. Here are four alternative tools to secure your data.
Connect Your Smartphone to Almost Any VPN Using OpenVPN Connect
A VPN can help protect your data on the move. But what if your VPN provider doesn't offer an app? Here's how to setup almost any VPN on your smartphone using OpenVPN Connect.