Restricted Access: Internet In China

We've all heard news and stories about China's internet access, but what's the truth?

As with so many things in our daily lives, the internet is something we often take for granted. It's just always there, and whenever we want something, need to look up a fact or simply jump on Facebook or Twitter, we can. It's ubiquitous, and we're lost without it. Just ask anyone how desperate they feel in a power cut or when their ISP is having problems. You know, first-world problems. We need the internet, pure and simple.

Spare a thought, then, for the people who live in countries where the internet isn't so freely available, certainly not in the way we expect it to be. Some countries look on the internet very differently and don't see it as a simple tool for information, communication and entertainment, but instead see it as a potential way to bring chaos to the populace or campaign against the government.

Are you in danger of falling for Facebook’s Like farmers?

Sarah Dobbs investigates what's going on when a seemingly innocuous post attracts thousands of likes...

Quick, name a Facebook scam someone on your friends list fell for today. Got one? By now, most people have wised up to messages from foreign princes who just need your bank details to help them transfer their millions into the country. And most of us have also figured out that any app that claims it'll show you who's clicking on your Facebook account and reveal friends with secret crushes on you is actually just malware.

Train Your Brain

Give your cognitive powers a boost with brain training apps on the web, PC and mobile. Roland Waddilove shows what you need to think smarter

They say you only use 10% of your brain's capacity and that if you could use 100%, you'd be a genius that would make Einstein look dim. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could use more of our brain power? Brain training websites and mobile apps have all claimed that by using them you can build up your cognitive abilities, boost your IQ and become a lot smarter than you are right now. They say that they combat the effects of aging, make you better at work and help you become better problem solvers.

Steam Alternatives

Steam is the biggest digital storefront for games, but it's not the only option. We look at the alternatives

Valve is undoubtedly the major proponent of digital game delivery for PC and certainly the most successful. Its Steam platform was the first digital gaming distribution services, starting out life with the launch of Half-Life 2 in 2003. Over the last decade or so it's been around, Steam has revolutionised PC gaming and has had a huge impact on gaming as a whole, giving users an easier and more convenient way to grab their games. As it matured as a service. Steam began to offer more and more content and expanded into other areas, embracing more than just mainstream games.

Watching Illegal Content Online

You can watch sport, movies and television programmes illegally online but what is being done about it?

The 2016 UEFA European Championship in France has been watched by millions of people in the UK for free. That's okay, though, because under a deal struck with European football's governing body, the BBC and ITV have the rights to broadcast the games on free-to-air television - so for the four weeks of the tournament, there is no need to subscribe to a premium TV service, or seek out websites for an illegal feed. Come next month, though, many football fans will play a different game. The Premiership and the UEFA Champions League will be aired on subscription television channels, since forking out for Sky Sports and BT Sport could potentially empty the wallets of many a fan, a good number will seek less-than-legal, but free, alternatives.