Patti Croft
Patti Croft is a writer at All About Cookies whose experience as a security specialist shapes her approach to product testing and evaluation. At AAC, Patti has authored an extensive library of hands-on reviews and comparisons, specializing in antivirus software and password managers. Her work consistently helps readers make sense of a crowded, often confusing product landscape by breaking down real performance differences rather than relying on marketing claims. She has written over 180 articles for AAC and tests on Mac and iPhone.
Before her cybersecurity writing career, Patti worked as a technical analyst at a leading medical center, where she earned a Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) credential — formal recognition of her expertise in managing and securing sensitive health data in one of the most compliance-intensive environments in tech. Patti holds an M.B.A. and a B.S. in Computer Science from Troy University.
In her spare time, she is an avid reader and researcher and loves spending time with her pets. She currently shares an office with her cat, Beau.
- Antivirus
- Password Managers
- Data Security
- M.B.A. and a B.S. in Computer Science from Troy University
- Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA)
- Mac or PC: Mac
- Android or iOS: iPhone
Patti's Latest Articles
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How To Watch Peacock Without Commercials
If you’re put off by all the ads that invade your streaming service, we’ll give you the best ways to watch Peacock without commercials.
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How To Watch La Liga in the USA
If you’re looking forward to watching the Spanish soccer league, La Liga, you’ll need to know what sites you can watch it on. We’ll tell you where and how to watch La Liga in this article.
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Here’s What You Need To Know About Trojans
Trojans hide inside legitimate files to access your device. Here's how Trojans work and how to get rid of them.
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No Cable, No Problem: How To Watch CBS Without the Cord
If you’re one of the many people who’ve decided to cut ties with cable but still want to enjoy your CBS programming, in this article, we’ll show you the best methods to do so.
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Apple Passwords vs. Dashlane 2026: Your Top Comparison Guide
Apple is improving its password manager options with an app that even works for Windows, while Dashlane is a good all-around app but it has some privacy policy concerns.
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Wipr vs. Adblock Plus 2026: Better Test Scores or Better Price?
Wipr is designed for Apple users and has a low one-time fee, while Adblock Plus works across multiple platforms and offers free as well as paid plans.
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Wipr vs. AdGuard 2026: Which Is the Best Blocker?
Wipr is a simple ad blocker that will improve your browsing, while AdGuard may appeal to you for its broad coverage and premium plan options. We’ll analyze their features in this ad blocker comparison.
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Ghostery vs. Adblock Plus 2026: Your Expert Guide
Both Adblock Plus and Ghostery offer free ad blockers, but neither stopped trackers during our in-house testing. Learn more about how Adblock Plus and Ghostery compare.
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DeleteMe vs. Privacy Bee 2026
DeleteMe is one of the best data removal services on the market, with over 100 million successful opt-out removals. In this expert review, we compare the lesser-known Privacy Bee to DeleteMe.
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DeleteMe vs. Optery 2026: Industry Giant or Budget-Friendly Pick?
Both DeleteMe and Optery offer robust data removal services, but DeleteMe does the work for you, while Optery offers a free self-service removal option.
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Best Total Adblock Alternatives of 2026
Need even more enhanced online security than Total Adblock offers? Consider security bundles like NordVPN Threat Protection, Surfshark CleanWeb, and Aura Ad Blocker. Here are our top Total Adblock alternatives.
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TotalAV vs. Kaspersky 2026: A Head-to-Head Comparison
Kaspersky is tied to national security issues, but it’s still a high-performing antivirus. On the other hand, TotalAV is budget-friendly and includes extras like a password manager and an ad blocker.
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Trustnav Review 2026: A Good Free Ad Blocker
Trustnav blocked intrusive ads on a budget. The free extension even blocked YouTube video ads, but only the Pro plan could stop trackers.
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The Best Surfshark VPN Alternatives of 2026
After extensive testing, we found the best Surfshark VPN alternatives to be NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN, for ultra-secure services, compatibility, and budget options.
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1Blocker vs. AdGuard 2026: Is One a Clear Winner?
1Blocker is a powerful ad blocker that caters to Apple users while AdGuard offers broad device coverage and plenty of features. See how these ad blockers compare in our side-by-side review.
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Norton Discount 2026: Save 58% With This Deal
Norton is our #1 antivirus software for iPhone and in the top 3 for Windows and Android. Learn how to save up to 58% on your first purchase with our exclusive deal.
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TotalAV vs. Aura Antivirus 2026: Which Keeps You Safer?
Our expert comparison looks at how the tried-and-true TotalAV stands up against Aura’s full cybersecurity suite.
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TotalAV vs. McAfee 2026: Which Antivirus Giant Takes the Crown?
McAfee gives you unlimited device coverage with family features, while TotalAV provides effective, budget-friendly options. In this expert guide, we compare the two so you can make the best choice.
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AdLock vs. AdGuard 2026: Which Has the Edge?
AdGuard is more affordable and has unique features, while AdLock keeps your privacy in mind.
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Incogni Price 2026: Is Data Removal Worth the Cost?
If you’ve had a data breach or are tired of those online ads, you may want to consider Surfshark’s Incogni. Here we cover its pricing and features to see if this product is right for you.
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Norton Price in 2026: Is Complete Antivirus Protection Worth the Cost?
Looking for the best Norton plan for your needs? Here we cover its most popular core options and extras, starting with Norton 360 Antivirus.