About Philip Bates
Philip was the Security Editor for MUO, and has worked here since 2014. He’s been a freelance writer since 2012, having achieved a Distinction in Professional Writing FdA.
He's worked with Windows PCs since the 1990s, but is an avid iPhone user. He thinks Brave is much better than Chrome, the Nintendo Switch is the best console, and AI used in creative pursuits is appalling.
Philip has written, proofed, and edited numerous books, and written for publications like the Sherlock Holmes Magazine, HeroCollector, and The British Comedy Guide.
Latest Articles
Why Is Find My iPhone Offline? (And How to Find It Anyway)
Learn about your options when Apple's Find My service shows the "Offline" status for your missing iPhone.
What Does This Emoji Mean? Emoji Face and Smiley Meanings Explained
Confused by the emojis in that text message you just got? Here are the commonly accepted meanings of popular emojis.
The 10 Best Ways to Read Comics Online for Free
Comic books aren't cheap! You can save a lot of money by using these sites to read comics online for free.
How to Fix "iMessage Not Delivered" on Your iPhone
Seeing an "iMessage not delivered" error? Here are some essential tips and fixes for when iMessages won't deliver your messages.
Why Film Is Better Than Digital Photography: 6 Reasons
All photographers argue about which is better film or digital? Here's why you should dumpy your DSLR and opt for SLR photography.
How to Recover a Lost Snapchat Streak and Get It Back
If you lost your Snapchat Streak, don't panic! Here's how to get a Snapchat Streak back.
What Happens When You Deactivate Your Facebook Account
Instead of deleting Facebook, you may want to deactivate your account instead. Here's what that means and what happens when you do.
How to Tell if Someone Blocked You on Snapchat
Getting blocked on Snapchat can be painful. Learn how to tell if someone blocked you on Snapchat!
How to Tell if Someone Was Snooping on Your PC: 4 Ways
Suspect that your computer isn't how you left it? Think someone is checking on your computer? Learn how to tell if someone was snooping on your PC!
5 Ways to Bypass Blocked Sites Without Using Proxies or VPNs
You're at work or school, but want to view a blocked website. Here are several methods you can try—no proxy or VPN needed.
How to Tell If Your Phone Is Tapped: 7 Warning Signs
How can you tell if your phone is tapped? Can you know who tapped it? Learn the warning signs and what you can do.
When Did Apple Become Popular? A Brief History of the Rise of Apple
How did Apple start and when did Apple become popular? We answer these questions and more as we explore Apple's past.
How to See Who Blocked You on Facebook
Worried that someone blocked you on Facebook? There are ways to check for signs of whether that's the case. Here's how to find out.
How to Use Messenger Without Facebook
You can't simply use Messenger without a Facebook account. But there is a smart little workaround so you can have Messenger without Facebook.
13 Common Netflix Error Codes and How to Fix Them
Netflix stopped working? Here are some of the most common Netflix error codes, what each one means, and what you can do to fix the problem.
How to Recognize and Avoid Free Gift Card Scams: 7 Warning Signs
Received an email or social media message saying you've won a free gift card? It's likely a scam. Here's how to tell.
The 12 Most Common Instagram DM Questions, Answered
Everything you need to know about Instagram DMs, from direct message features to how to unsend a DM in Instagram.
What Is Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?
Sometimes called "personal data", PII is valuable to you, to companies, and to hackers. But what is it? What does it include?
What Is Email Spoofing? How Scammers Forge Fake Emails
It looks like your email account has been hacked, but those weird messages you didn't send are actually due to email spoofing.
Can You Trust Your Browser With Credit Card Information?
Shopping online and tempted to save your credit card information in your browser? Here's why you might not want to do that.