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 Period Tracking Apps for Data Privacy in 2026
Period tracking apps have a complicated history of sharing your data, but there are some options that may be safer than others.
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Trying To Dodge DOGE? What To Know To Protect Your Privacy
Shoddy data handling and an embarrassing website hack have many skeptical of DOGE’s ability to keep our info safe, but there are steps you can take to improve your data security.
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Heard of YubiKey? After This, You May Want One
The YubiKey is reminiscent of a flash drive, but instead of holding data, it protects your data with advanced encryption and automated features.
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VantageScore vs. FICO: How To Demystify Your Credit Scores
Lenders and creditors use various VantageScore and FICO score models to determine your creditworthiness. Improve your financial literacy by understanding your credit scores.
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Incogni vs. Aura 2026: Robust Data Removal vs. Full Identity Theft Protection
Incogni beats Aura because it's a more comprehensive data removal service, but Aura has its own strengths when it comes to ID theft protection.
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Whoer VPN Review 2026: Why This Is a Risky VPN
Top-rated VPN services offer advanced online privacy with strong encryption protocols, robust security features, and fast speeds. Here’s where Whoer VPN fell short.
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How To Block or Allow Pop-Ups in Chrome [Step-by-Step Guide]
We tested how to manage Google pop-ups on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android to bring you the most up-to-date ways to customize your Chrome browser experience.
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Google’s Free Dark Web Report Is Dead: Here Are the Best Dark Web Monitoring Alternatives of 2026
We tested Google One’s dark web monitoring service to see if the free dark web report offered enough to protect our personal data. It didn't. Here are better dark web monitoring alternatives.
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Block Temu Ads In-App and Online [Step-By-Step Guide]
Temu has a huge marketing budget to push endless ads out to you on all your devices, but you can learn how to block unwanted ads and protect your privacy at the same time.
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How To Block Ads on Netflix: Go Ad-Free Without Upgrading in 2026
Netflix’s ad-supported tier is cheaper than its two other plans, but we can show you how to block ads on the platform without having to do any crazy configurations or download sketchy software.
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The Best Free Credit Monitoring Services 2026
After testing Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, and Experian, we think Credit Karma offers the best free credit monitoring service. Here’s why.
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Deactivate or Delete Facebook to Help Prevent Identity Theft, Here’s How
If you decide it’s time to move away from Facebook, here’s how to delete your data so you don’t leave yourself open to scams, spam, and even identity theft.
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myFICO vs. Credit Karma 2026: Identity Protection vs. Credit Monitoring
When testing both services, we found myFICO’s free and paid plans were very different, while Credit Karma offered lots of features with some compromises.
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Is Bluesky Safe? As Its Popularity Rises, so Do Bluesky Scams (2026)
Bluesky offers social media users more control over their data and feeds than X or Facebook, but its lackluster verification and rapid growth have left it open to scammers.
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The Best VPNs for Privacy 2026
We've tested dozens of VPNs and think NordVPN, Proton VPN, and Surfshark are the best for privacy. Plus, these VPNs boast a long list of other features that make them perfect for keeping your data secure.
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Ready To Delete X (Formerly Twitter)? Here’s How
There are plenty of reasons why you may want to delete your X (formerly Twitter) account. Follow our step-by-step instructions to make sure all your data is really gone.
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True People Search Removal: How To Remove Your Personal Info and Prevent Identity Theft
Data broker sites like True People Search collect your public info and put it online for anyone to find. Learn how to delete your info and reclaim your data privacy.
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We Tested 15+ AI-Powered Web Builders: These Are the Top 5 AI Website Builders for Businesses in 2026
We tested 15+ website builders and found Wix, Hostinger, Squarespace, DreamHost, and IONOS to offer the best complete AI site builders. Learn which is right for your business.
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WordPress vs. Squarespace 2026: Content Creation vs. Ecommerce Ease
WordPress offered us tools for a beautiful blogging experience, but Squarespace stood out for being more versatile and geared toward online businesses.
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Wix vs. WordPress 2026: Ease of Use vs. Limitless Customization
We were impressed with Wix’s extensive AI tools and the customization WordPress offers. Our comparison highlights the best value for new or established website owners.
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How To Use WordPress: Quick Building Guide for Beginners (2026)
WordPress is super customizable but can be overwhelming for beginners. Use our 10-step WordPress tutorial to get started building your personal or professional website.
