About Philip Bates
Philip is the Security Editor for MUO, and has worked here since 2014. He’s been a freelance writer since 2012, having trained for an FdA in Professional Writing. He’s written and edited numerous books, and can usually be found reading comics while listening to The Killers.
Five Ways a Thief Can Profit From Your Stolen Hardware
Criminals steal your PC, your laptop, your smartphone, either by burglarising your house, or by snatching them from you. But then what happens? What can thieves do with your stolen tech?
Millions Of People Think They Use Facebook, But Not The Internet
Millions of people say they don't use the Internet, but talk enthusiastically about Facebook. How has this monopoly of the World Wide Web come about? And what wider implications does it have?
Sextortion Has Evolved And It's Scarier Than Ever
Sextortion is an abhorrent, prevalent blackmailing technique targeting young and old, and is now even more intimidating thanks to social networks like Facebook. What can you do to protect yourself from these seedy cybercriminals?
Digital Shadow Exposes What Facebook Really Knows About You
While it began as a mere marketing stunt, Ubisoft's Digital Shadow remains a very useful (and potentially scary) application that shows you how much people can find out about you from Facebook.
Should You Choose The iPhone 5s Over The iPhone 6?
Before you go straight for the new iPhone 6 or even the 6 Plus, why not look into the iPhone 5s instead? That's what I did – and I couldn't be happier.
Five Things Banks Will Never Ask You Online
Ever received an email from your bank conerning suspicious account activity? Such messages are almost always scams, so here are a few things your bank will never request online – but fraudsters will.
What Does Facebook Know About You? Why You Should Delete Facebook
What does Facebook really know about you? One thing's for sure: if you want online privacy, Facebook is best avoided.
How Bionics Will Extend and Improve Your Life
Thought of as a science fiction pipedream, the science of bionics is often viewed as sinister. However, in the real world, bionic technologies can extend and improve your life.
The Theory of Everything: The Web Uncovers the True Love Story
Stephen Hawking called the movie "broadly true" – so what exactly did happen in real life? We piece the true story together behind the Oscar-nominated movie with interesting sources from the web.
How Britain's "Snoopers' Charter" Might Affect You
British Prime Minister David Cameron intends to resurrect the "Snooper's Charter", a privacy-breaching set of new measures to enable enhanced monitoring of communications by the security services. Can it be stopped?
Own A Wii U Yet? These Games Will Make You Want One
The Wii U isn't as popular as the Xbox One and Ps4. Yet. 2015 might be the year it all turns around. Why?
Will LED Contact Lenses Make Google Glass Obsolete?
A contact lens which displays information feels like something from science fiction, conjuring up images of the Terminator and Bionic Woman. This technology, perhaps Google Glass' successor, is just around the corner.
Five Breaches To Your Privacy in 2014 That You Might Have Missed
Numerous publications revelled in the private lives of celebrities in 2014, a year in whcih the spotlight also shone on the general public. Can we learn anything from these breaches?
Forget Band Aid: 7 Charity Singles Perfect For Christmas
Band Aid is back. If you loved it before, you'll love it again. But for those who don't like it, there are plenty of other charity singles to celebrate Christmas.
8 Time Saving Organization Tips for Your Christmas This Year
It's the most wonderful time of the year – and the most stressful! If Christmas is becoming too much to handle, there are a few things you can do to ease your worries.
5 Secrets To Small Business Blogging Success
Blogs are great for getting to know your clients, their worries and interests, and for pulling in more business. But a poorly-executed blog can cause more harm than good.
Taking Part in Stoptober? Five Places To Go For Help
If you can quit smoking for 28 days, you're more likely to give it up for good, but it's tough. So what should you do when you're struggling to stay smoke-free?
Back To School? iOS Tips & Apps To Ease You Into Student Life
Going back to school after an endless summer holiday is harder than the Einstein solid, but your iPhone can help make term time easier.