Mike Williams

Mike is a lead security reviewer at Future, where he stress-tests VPNs, antivirus and more to find out which services are sure to keep you safe, and which are best avoided.

After graduating with a degree in Computer Science, Mike's career began as a lead software developer in the engineering world, where his creations were used in the Quality Control departments of big-name companies from Rolls Royce to British Nuclear Fuels and British Aerospace.

Always keen to learn what's happening under the hood, Mike also developed a number of low-level Windows troubleshooting tools. He began using these to help others on CompuServe's forums, writing guides to solve tricky problems, and getting to know some surprising forum regulars including Harry Potter actor Miriam Margolyes (great fun, and even 30 years ago, an experienced web user with more computers than she could count).

Future's .net magazine editor Richard Longhurst noticed Mike's work, and invited him to write a regular Q&A feature, with useful advice on solving reader's technical troubles. Reviews and features for other print magazines followed, then TechRadar, with Mike eventually taking up writing full-time. But he still keeps a foot in the software development world, and has developed an automated VPN speed test system, a ransomware simulator for antivirus testing, and assorted smaller tools to help deliver more detailed and accurate reviews.

When the workday is over, Mike can often be found cooking stir fries, exploring local woodlands or exploring his family history, where he's unearthed everything from a Netflix mini-series-worthy murder mystery to a possible connection with Pocahontas (no, really!).