Mary James
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Mary is a cybersecurity writer based in Los Angeles, holding a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University in Pittsburgh. With over seven years of experience, she focuses on educating the public on a wide range of cybersecurity topics, from VPNs to antivirus software.
Mary’s previous experience in sales and content creation at a private cybersecurity firm has enabled her to translate complex topics into easily digestible concepts. Her work has been featured in national publications such as MSN, CNBC, and PC Matic's private blog, reflecting her dedication to sharing vital cybersecurity insights and empowering the public to safeguard their private data.
When she's not writing, Mary works at her local theatre while also enjoying the trifecta of the beach, mountains, and desert.
- MSN
- CNBC
- PC Matic
- Antivirus
- VPNs
- Identity Theft
- B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University
- M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University
- Mac or PC: Both
- Android or iOS: iPhone
Mary's Latest Articles
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The Best VPNs for Hulu 2025
World travelers and streaming enthusiasts alike can use a VPN to unblock their favorite content on Hulu, and these VPN choices make sure that’s possible.
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NordVPN vs. CyberGhost 2025: Nord Has the Advantage
CyberGhost focuses on a lower price whereas NordVPN is feature-rich.
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The Best VPN Routers 2025
Using a VPN-protected router encrypts the traffic coming from all your devices, including ones where a VPN can’t be installed manually. Here are the best VPN routers we recommend.
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LastPass vs. Bitwarden 2025: Is It a Case of David vs. Goliath?
LastPass is heralded as a well-known name in password management solutions. But with so many hacks, can it hold up to the security of Bitwarden?
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The Best Password Managers for iPhone 2025
Apple Passwords (formerly iCloud Keychain) is a good free app for iOS. But if you want a secure password vault that allows for seamless password sharing, military-grade encryption, and more, check out our top-tested picks.
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How To Turn Off Amazon Sidewalk on Alexa (and Why You Should)
In 2021, Amazon launched its much-criticized Sidewalk feature by opting-in all eligible Alexa users, but what is this feature and are you still connected?
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McAfee vs. Norton 360 Antivirus 2025: Two OG Antiviruses Go Head-to-Head
Norton and McAfee are both household names that offer modern security solutions with plenty of additional features to keep you secure.
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The Best Ad Blockers 2025
Looking for the best ad blocker? We hand-tested top options and hidden gems to find the ones that truly deliver.
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1Blocker Review 2025: What Your iPhone Has Been Missing
1Blocker is a tool built exclusively for iOS, macOS, and Safari that delivers powerful protection against ads, trackers, and cookies, as well as useful controls for parents.
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Dashlane Review 2025: Powerful and User-Friendly
Dashlane is a good product and probably one of the best password managers out there right now.
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Does Antivirus Slow Down Your Computer?
Security software is necessary protection in today’s world, but the trade-off could be a slower machine. Here’s what to know about antivirus software and a slow computer, plus tips for speeding things back up.
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MacKeeper Review 2025: Mac’s Best Friend
MacKeeper used to have a bad reputation, but an internal overhaul resulted in a product that’s useful and offers Mac users much-needed security.
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Here’s What Remote Workers Should Know About RDP Security
Remote desktop protocol has been around since Microsoft created it in the ’90s, but has security for the data-sharing protocol stayed in the past?
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HMA VPN Review 2025: A Service With Lots of Sass
HMA provided fast speeds during testing and transparent policies, but does the U.K.-based VPN service have the security and functionality to back it up?
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1Password Review 2025: A Powerful Lockbox for Your Data
1Password isn’t the only password manager on the market, but its strong security, unique features, and ease of use during our testing make it a top contender.
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AdLock Review 2025: A Truly Free Ad Blocker
AdLock is a free browser extension that blocks ads and gives you a pleasant browsing experience without selling your data.
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The Best Ad Blockers for Mac and Safari 2025
We tested every ad blocker we could find on Mac and Safari — here are the five that came out on top.
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LastPass Review 2025: Has It Earned Our Trust?
LastPass has been the subject of scrutiny over the years with its growing list of hacks and cybersecurity incidents. We tested the password manager to determine if its service is worth risking our data using.
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Adware Is Out To Sell Your Information. Here’s How To Stop It
Adware is a nuisance aimed at stealing your data and selling it to the highest bidder — whether you knew you were installing it or not.
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F-Secure Mobile Security Review 2025: Does It Provide Enough Antivirus Protection?
Formerly Lookout Life, F-Secure Mobile Security can protect you from fraud, but can it protect you from malware?
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Hide My IP VPN Review 2025: Can It Compete with Modern VPNs?
Hide My IP VPN has been around a long time as far as VPNs are concerned but has it evolved enough to measure up to its competitors?
