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r-370-canon-pixma-mg8250-showing-controls-in-lid

Canon Pixma MG8250 multi-function inkjet printer-scanner

Lots of extras and a beautiful design too

ISPs still patchy on revealing broadband speeds says Ofcom

Regulator said ISPs need to train sales staff more effectively

Rutland Council and BT to roll out fibre for 90 per cent of the county

Homes and businesses in the rural area will receive speeds of up to 80 Mbits/sec, with £2.2m of the budget coming from Rutland County...

email-scam

How to spot email scams

We take a look at a recent phishing email, claiming to be from the HMRC, to show how you can catch the scams

Make your child's web surfing with Internet Explorer a whole lot safer

An Internet Explorer feature called Content Advisor can prevent your youngsters straying onto unsuitable websites. It's not perfect,...

hank-hazard-stunt-hamster-title

Hank Hazard - the Stunt Hamster

Exactly how much fun can a hamster have in his ball? Lots if he can avoid the sharks and flames in this fun iPad and iPhone app

Making the move from inkjet to laser

The passing of an old inkjet offers the chance to cut printing costs

Download the new issue of Computeractive for iPad

Twitter celebrates 10m UK users and a year at its London office

Micro-blogging site enjoys success in the UK but promises to work with the authorities more, after accusations that it aids criminals...

Google Play

Android users are a "lucrative target" for cyber criminals

Security company F-Secure's latest mobile-threat report shows worrying trend towards more sophisticated and complex malicious software attacks on Android devices

Improve your PC's start-up speed

If a computer is slow to start as too many programs try to open simultaneously, the Delayed Start option in Windows 7 and Vista will...

fractal-design-define-r3-white-pc-case

Fractal Design Define R3 (USB 3.0) Arctic White

A PC case with great build quality that's also very quiet

Plan your journey and get live times with the National Rail app

This free National Rail app is a useful tool when taking the train

ICO website goes offline in suspected DDOS attack

Information Commissioner's Office's website appears to be latest target of hacktivists

Windows security alert

Give your computer maximum security with Windows Firewall

We explain how to check if the Windows Firewall is working correctly, how to fix it if something goes wrong, and how to configure it for maximum protection

broadband-internet

ISPs still patchy on revealing broadband speeds says Ofcom

Regulator said ISPs need to train sales staff more effectively

Rutland Council and BT to roll out fibre for 90 per cent of the county

Homes and businesses in the rural area will receive speeds of up to 80 Mbits/sec, with £2.2m of the budget coming from Rutland County...

Twitter celebrates 10m UK users and a year at its London office

Micro-blogging site enjoys success in the UK but promises to work with the authorities more, after accusations that it aids criminals...

Google Play

Android users are a "lucrative target" for cyber criminals

Security company F-Secure's latest mobile-threat report shows worrying trend towards more sophisticated and complex malicious software...

ICO website goes offline in suspected DDOS attack

Information Commissioner's Office's website appears to be latest target of hacktivists

facebook-who-is-stalking-who

Facebook trials 'promote a post' scheme in New Zealand

Users of Facebook in New Zealand can pay a small fee to promote a post

Facebook to launch App Centre

Social-networking site goes head to head with Apple and Google for apps

Download the new issue of Computeractive for iPad

Anonymous hactivists likely to attack Everything Everywhere

Hactivist group has already caused problems for Virgin Media and Talk Talk

School children using Ordnance Survey computer software

Retailers face jail and fines for ignoring game age ratings

Government to clamp down on people selling inappropriate video games to children

Norwegian teens arrested in connection with cyber attacks

UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency was suspected target

getrichquick1

Scams disguise malicious software as apps says Bitdefender

Cybercriminals are setting up get-rich-quick websites that download malicious software disguised as apps

Government ploughs ahead with widely criticised 'snooping charter'

Access to all communications data is essential for purposes of anti-terorism and crime detection, says the Government, despite privacy...

New website shows public how the brain works and affects our bodies

Brain Facts.org busts myths about how the brain functions, and examines the way it drives thought and behaviour, with blogs, discussions...

Image of Google driverless car technology

Google gets licence to try out self-driving car on Nevada roads

US state of Nevada grants Google a licence for its driverless car, which uses video cameras, radar sensors and lasers to identify traffic

hank-hazard-stunt-hamster-title

Hank Hazard - the Stunt Hamster

Exactly how much fun can a hamster have in his ball? Lots if he can avoid the sharks and flames in this fun iPad and iPhone app

Plan your journey and get live times with the National Rail app

This free National Rail app is a useful tool when taking the train

Optimise your computer for games with Iobit Game Booster

This system optimiser is available at no cost for a limited time

bootracer

Test how quickly your computer starts with Boot Racer

A benchmark utility that measures a meaningful test of your computer

Get a detailed diagnostic report on your computer with HijackThis

This free tool will report on Windows Registry and file settings on your PC

skydrive

Store and share documents on the internet with Microsoft SkyDrive

View your files on Skydrive in a normal folder in Windows

Send personalised postcards with Touchnote Postcards

Take a picture, write a message and send a postcard

Download the new issue of Computeractive for iPad

Save articles to read later with Pocket for Android

Find an interesting article and save it for later with this handy smartphone and tablet app

wheres-wally-hd

Find the world's most misplaced man with Where's Wally HD

Where's Wally HD - The Fantastic Journey even has a multiplayer game on the iPad

Make a bootable Linux USB key with the Universal USB Installer

A useful Windows app for making bootable USB keys

mobipocket-reader

Enjoy ebooks on your PC and mobile devices with Mobipocket 6.2

A capable ebook reader for Windows with a built in store browser and the ability to transfer to other devices

Painstaking family tree assembly with Gramps

While it might look dull, Gramps is a very powerful piece of software

Try a free security suite with Bitdefender Total Security 2012

A 30-day trial version that enables you to test the software fully

vlc-media-player-2

Play just about any audio or video file with VLC

Play and convert music and video files on your computer

r-370-canon-pixma-mg8250-showing-controls-in-lid

Canon Pixma MG8250 multi-function inkjet printer-scanner

Lots of extras and a beautiful design too

Fractal Design Define R3 (USB 3.0) Arctic White

A PC case with great build quality that's also very quiet

Griffin Helo TC Assault

Take short-haul flights with this smartphone-controlled attack helicopter

microkorg

Make music with the MicroKorg digital synthesizer and vocoder

Edit your sounds with proper controllers rather than a keyboard and mouse

AVM Fritzbox WLAN 3270

A router that is expensive but very easy to use

r-370-pentax-vs20-brilliant-white

Pentax Optio VS20

A compact camera with a big zoom and a twist in its design

Sony Xperia S

A smooth and stylish Android smartphone

Download the new issue of Computeractive for iPad

Samsung ML-2955DW

A bargain fuss-free laser printer

samsung-900x3b-03

Samsung Series 9 900X3B

Samsung’s sleekest lightweight laptop yet

Motorola Motoactv 8GB

If you need technological motivation to exercise, then this MP3 player could set your pulse racing

r-370-hp-touchsmart-520-aio-consumer-pc-front-view-keyboard-mouse-2

HP Touchsmart 520-1030UK

Watch TV on this space-saving all-in-one touchscreen PC

HTC One X

Have HTC designed the best Android smartphone yet?

Sapphire Radeon HD7750 Ultimate

Graphics cards using the latest technology don’t have to be noisy beasts

fl-studio-mobile-hd-ipad

Image Line FL Studio Mobile HD

Seminal dance-oriented music-making software comes to the Apple iPad

email-scam

How to spot email scams

We take a look at a recent phishing email, claiming to be from the HMRC, to show how you can catch the scams

Improve your PC's start-up speed

If a computer is slow to start as too many programs try to open simultaneously, the Delayed Start option in Windows 7 and Vista will...

Why do I keep getting a Genuine Windows Validation request?

Before downloading some software from Microsoft, it will ask you to verify that you have a legitimate copy of Windows – even though...

Remove properties from file - screenshot

How do I delete metadata that appears on my digital photos?

Windows can decipher the metadata on a digital photo and delete some or all of it

How to sell unwanted goods online

If you're thinking of selling unwanted items online, it's easier than you think. Our expert sales tips will help you towards making...

Motherboard components

What are small PCIe slots for?

These x1 slots are used for basic wireless network adapters, whereas the longer (x16 or x32) ones are used for graphics cards which need fast data-transfer rates

How do I find the @ symbol on a keyboard when I am abroad?

Foreign keyboards have a different layout to UK ones, but there's a useful shortcut

Download the new issue of Computeractive for iPad

Sky download limit is breached

Many things can eat into a usage limit, but if none of these are the cause, it may be that the PC has been infected by malicious software...

wubi-install-window

Install Ubuntu using Wubi

The Wubi installer is the easiest way to install Ubuntu and also makes removal easier

Uninstall Ubuntu with Wubi

If you don't want to use Ubuntu anymore, or want to install it properly, a Wubi installation is simple to remove in Windows

Control Panel - uninstall programs screenshot

Can I dump Internet Explorer 9?

If you want to revert to IE8, use the Control Panel to uninstall Microsoft's newer browser

Get the best picture possible on your computer's monitor

As most of us spend hours staring at a PC monitor, it’s important to make sure you get the best possible picture. We explain the...

Spy clock was not up to the task

A retailer is responsible for ensuring that goods arrive as described. If not, they must either offer a replacement or prove that the...

Internet usage report

Can I monitor my internet usage?

There are several tools available for monitoring how much data you download from the internet each month - offering daily, weekly or monthly reports

Content advisor - approved sites for lead pic

Make your child's web surfing with Internet Explorer a whole lot safer

An Internet Explorer feature called Content Advisor can prevent your youngsters straying onto unsuitable websites. It's not perfect, but it is a good place to start

Give your computer maximum security with Windows Firewall

We explain how to check if the Windows Firewall is working correctly, how to fix it if something goes wrong, and how to configure it...

Replace the hard disk in a laptop

It is inevitable that every hard disk will run out of storage space or fail at some stage. We show you how to fit a new hard disk with...

Youtube 3D viewing modes screenshot

Convert your home movies into 3D

We explain how to take 2D footage shot on a normal camera and convert it to 3D using free tools found on Youtube. You can then share...

Check your documents and essays for style, content and plagiarism

A free service can check the spelling, grammar, content and style of your documents. It can also tell if you've been using someone...

Keep files organised illustration

Use Smart Folders to organise files

A free tool from Addictive Tips makes creating folders easy and fast

Give your desktop a great new look

How to create attractive wallpapers for the Windows Desktop using your favourite photos

Download the new issue of Computeractive for iPad

Use Microsoft Word to create all types of electronic forms

We show you the best way to create an electronic form within a Word document

If this then that screenshot

Perform online tasks automatically with the If This Then That service

The internet has countless useful and valuable tools that allow users to share and swap information. A free tool helps automate tasks between these online tools

Record and share videos of your computing techniques in Windows

A free service lets you share things you've discovered how to do on your PC with friends. We demonstrate how to use Screenr to make...

Network hard disk

Get more storage by using a network-attached hard disk

We show you how to add extra storage space to your local area network

Keep your Android data in sync

We demonstrate how to synchronise files between a Windows 7 computer and a Galaxy S Android smartphone using Samsung's free Kies application...

Give your PC an essential service

A new PC runs like lightning and rarely crashes but things don't stay that way for long. We show you 14 quick but vital tasks that...

Performa a virus scan illustration

Scan a computer for viruses using the Microsoft Safety Scanner tool

Every PC should have reliable, up-to-date, anti-virus software installed. We show you how a free Microsoft tool can check the security of any computer instantly

email-scam

How to spot email scams

We take a look at a recent phishing email, claiming to be from the HMRC, to show how you can catch the scams

Make music with the MicroKorg digital synthesizer and vocoder

Edit your sounds with proper controllers rather than a keyboard and mouse

Install Ubuntu using Wubi

The Wubi installer is the easiest way to install Ubuntu and also makes removal easier

uninstall-wubi

Uninstall Ubuntu with Wubi

If you don't want to use Ubuntu anymore, or want to install it properly, a Wubi installation is simple to remove in Windows

Install Windows 7 in VMware Player

VMware Players offers a way to create a Windows 7 installation that can be experimented on without putting files at risk

word-autocorrect-links

Stop Word 2010 automatically creating links in documents

This video shows how to stop Word 2010 from creating web links when it thinks it recognises a web address

A trip back in time

The Centre for Computing History stand at the Gadget Show Live 2012 has some fascinating items on display

Download the new issue of Computeractive for iPad

Hands on: Windows 8 on a touchscreen all-in-one PC

We take a look at the Windows 8 Metro interface on an all-in-one touchscreen PC

Western Digital at the Gadget Show Live 2012

Western Digital details internal hard disk range

The Western Digital Caviar range has three different hard disks designed for specific types of user

Hands on: Acer S5 Ultrabook

Super-thin laptops were the order of the day at Gadget Show Live 2012

cleaning-a-laptop

How to clean your laptop

Make your laptop quieter and cooler by cleaning the fan and heatsink

Apple iPad (third generation)

Is Apple’s latest tablet still the best there is?

How to clean your desktop computer to keep it functioning

Prevent overheating by keeping the insides of a computer clean and free from dust

gechic-onlap-portable-monitor

Add a second monitor to a notebook with the GeChic On-Lap 1301

This portable monitor can be used to extend the Windows Desktop or show people what you're doing

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Are you concerned about viruses that target mobile phones?

Jargon Buster

Computing terms explained in plain English

CPU

Central Processing Unit. Another term for a computer processor.

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