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From the Editor

Forget invisibility, teleportation or X-ray vision. If I

‘Sextortion’ scammers send photos of victims’ homes

Cyber-criminals are using photos of their potential victims’

Are Chinese hackers reading your text messages?

They’ve broken into US networks and could target the UK next

‘Winter living welfare’ payment texts

Protect your tech

New tools

Brave Search’s follow-up questions

Virgin finds ‘dangerous viruses’

I got an email supposedly from Virgin Media

Letters

Tell us what’s on your mind

Can BT really charge me £360 to leave early?

We stand up for your legal rights

HP sends new printer to reader after we explain the law

HP has refunded reader Alan Ingrey for a

Is Google legally obliged to recover my Gmail?

Q I’m trying to regain access to my

Is Argos right to fob us off to Motorola?

Q Argos has refused to help us with

Have I got a case against Virgin for ntlworld mess?

Q Virgin told me I had to change

Amazon and Post Office sorted out my return quickly

One often sees brickbats and criticism aimed at

Grow Your Family Tree

Search new World War 2 records

Best Free Software

Robert Irvine recommends new programs that won’t cost you a thing

What should I download?

We advise you which software and apps to use

Named & Shamed

Keumars Afifi-Sabet puts the boot into tech villains, jargon-spouting companies and software trying to trick you

Four hours, 20 minutes

We’re all (mis)spending much more time on the internet

DITCH YOUR CABLES in 2025

Don’t suffer another year of tangled wires and connector confusion. Robert Irvine reveals the best ways to go wireless on your PC, phone, TV and other devices

New Year, New Email

Start the year by reorganising your inbox – or by switching to a better email service. Jonathan Parkyn reveals the best ways to improve your email experience in 2025

What’s being axed in 2025

It won’t be a happy new year for some tech products and their users. Robert Irvine reveals the services and devices that will shut down or stop working in 2025

Problems Solved

Our experts solve all your tech problems

Reader Support

Having a problem with our recommended software or expert tips? Email editor@computeractive.co.uk and we’ll do our best to help

Jargon Buster

1080p High-definition video: 1920x1080 pixels. 32bit/64bit

Download YouTube videos on his phone

Seeking a free way to watch videos offline on the train, Robert Irvine tries to…

Microsoft: no U-turn on strict Windows 11 requirements

Microsoft has said it won’t relax the strict

WINDOWS 11 24H2 COMING TO MORE PCs

Microsoft has started making the 24H2 update available

You’ll like this…

Google Photos lets you ‘undo’ photo and

But not this…

Cyber chiefs say UK ‘widely underestimates’ risk

Sky launches new £15 Essential TV package

Sky has launched a budget TV package for

Openreach’s app ‘cuts missed appointments by 30%’

Openreach has claimed a new app that lets

WHATSAPP TO STOP WORKING ON OLD PHONES

You’ll need iOS 15.1 or later to use

GB NEWS, QVC & PBS COMING TO FREELY

GB News, QVC, PBS America and True Crime are

TOMORROW’S WORLD

Optimus, the robot made by Elon Musk’s firm

CREATE YOUR OWN AI CHESS SET

Google has launched a tool called GenChess

SIGN UP TO PARAMOUNT+ THROUGH EE TV

EE TV customers can now sign up

THE WORLD’S GONE MAD!

This photo shows Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team helping

‘Brain rot’ beats ‘dynamic pricing’ as Word of the Year

A phrase that means a failing of mental

Three men die after ‘Google Maps sends car off bridge’

Police in India are investigating whether three men

Google users could get £100 each as lawsuit proceeds

Google faces paying billions to UK users after

BELKIN RECALLS ‘FIRE RISK’ CHARGER

Belkin has recalled its ‘BoostCharge Pro Fast

MANHATTAN WON’T ADD FREELY TO RECORDERS

Manhattan has confirmed it won’t add the Freely

PLEX REDESIGNS PHONE & TV APPS

Plex has redesigned its app for phone

Asus ProArt PZ13

Preaching to the converted

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (7441)

Spot the difference

Netgear Nighthawk RS200

At sixes and sevens

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

All the right calls

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera

Eye roll

Anker MagGo Power Bank

Take charge

Logitech H570e

All talk

Panasonic SC-HTB100

Doesn’t speak volumes

On Sale Friday 3 Jan

Amazon Kindle (2024) New version of the

Buy It

Our pick of products that have won the Buy It award

HOW TO... Use hearing aids with phones and Windows

What you need: A smartphone or PC;

Diagnose RAM problems using Glow’s new tools

What you need: Glow Time required:

Readers’ Tips

TIP OF THE FORTNIGHT Send to multiple people

Browser Tips

CHROME Customise Chrome with colourful new themes At

Phone and Tablet Tips

Brilliant things to do on your device

Make Windows Better

Expert tips for every version

Make Office Better

Top tips for the best office programs

Collaborate with others using OneNote

Run a club or society? Here's how your tech can make it easier