Which? Scam Alerts – 26/09/2025

Scam Alerts

6 signs your computer has been hacked

If your computer has started running slowly or showing error messages, it could simply be due to age. However, the worst-case scenario is that your device has been compromised, putting your personal data at serious risk from fraudsters.

Our tech experts break down the warning signs to look out for and give their tips to keep your data safe from hackers.

Is it worth paying for antivirus?

The basic job of security software is to passively stand guard, protecting your devices against malicious software (known as malware) that can leave you vulnerable to scams and other criminal activity.

But is paid antivirus protection any better than free software? We explain why our lab tests show that there isn’t as much difference as you might think. To see which free software gets our Best Buy recommendation, you can get 50% off a Tech Support annual membership until 30 September.

Subscription traps: question-and-answer services with a sting

Online question-and-answer services can appear at the top of search engine results, promising to connect you with ‘verified experts’, yet reports to Which? suggest they are little more than costly subscription traps.

Howly and JustAnswer tempt you with a small charge initially – as little as £1 – but if you miss the small print, you’ll face recurring monthly payments of up to £50. Discover what we found in our investigation into these schemes.

Stay safe,

Which? Scam Alert Team

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