Ryan L. Clancy
Ryan L. Clancy is a writer at All About Cookies who brings a working engineer's perspective to consumer technology and digital security — explaining how products actually function under the hood rather than relying solely on feature lists and vendor claims.
At All About Cookies, Ryan has written more than 220 articles across VPN, streaming, parental controls, and antivirus verticals, personally testing more than 20 products on Mac and iPhone, with a focus on VPNs and parental control software.
Ryan holds a Master of Engineering (M.Eng) from the University of Limerick, where he also earned his undergraduate engineering degree, and spent more than five years as a practicing mechanical engineer and engineering manager on commercial and residential projects in New York City. That technical foundation gives him a unique vantage point on the infrastructure behind the products he covers: VPN encryption protocols, streaming platform architecture, parental monitoring app behavior, and the network-level mechanics most consumer security writers treat as a black box.
He founded Mechanical Engineering HQ, a technical content agency that produces engineering and technology content for global clients, and has written about technology and digital security for publications including Forbes, Engineering360, and MakeUseOf. He is based in New York City.
- Forbes
- Engineering360
- MakeUseOf
- VPNs
- Streaming
- Parental Controls
- Ad Blockers
- Antivirus
- Master of Engineering (M.Eng) from the University of Limerick
- Mac or PC: Mac
- Android or iOS: iPhone
Ryan L.'s Latest Articles
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Does a VPN Slow Down Your Internet?
Explore how a VPN impacts your internet speed, and learn how to measure your VPN's performance and optimize your connection for a seamless online experience.
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CyberGhost vs. Proton VPN 2026: A Narrow Victory
CyberGhost is best for a well-rounded VPN experience, while Proton VPN stands strong for prioritizing high-level security features. Learn which is better in our head-to-head comparison.
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Surfshark vs VyprVPN 2026: Speed or Security — Which Matters Most?
Uncover whether Surfshark's blazing speed and unlimited connections or VyprVPN's stringent security protocols best suit your VPN needs.
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The Best VPNs for Apple TV 2026
Discover the top-performing VPNs for Apple TV based on speed, security, ease of setup, and ability to unblock geo-restricted streaming content.
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Astrill VPN Review 2026: Is It Worth Its Premium Price?
Astrill VPN offers robust security features and it can bypass geo-restricted content. But are its offerings worth the cost?
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Stands Free AdBlocker Review 2026: Is It Truly a Balanced Ad-Blocking Solution?
Delving into the features, performance, and compatibility of Stands Free Adblocker (formerly Fair Adblocker), we assess whether it offers the balanced, user-friendly ad-blocking solution it promises.
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How To Stream NFL Games for Free and Unlock the Gridiron
Discover reliable live streaming sites to catch every NFL game for free while protecting your online privacy.
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How To Hide Your Browsing History and Protect Your Privacy
Learn who can see your internet browsing history and how to hide it from prying eyes.
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Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN 2026: A Close Call
Discover the key differences between Proton VPN and ExpressVPN to determine which VPN offers the best value, features, and security for your unique needs.
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How To Use Safari Private Browsing (And Why You May Not Want To)
Discover the ins and outs of Safari Private Browsing, its limitations, and alternatives to keep your information secure while browsing the web.
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NordVPN vs. PureVPN 2026: Advanced Security or Beginner-Friendly Coverage?
PureVPN is a budget choice for beginners, while NordVPN offers advanced security and enhanced performance for streaming, gaming, and more. Learn about our experience testing both.
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Surfshark Antivirus Review 2026: Your Cybersecurity Lifeguard
Discover Surfshark Antivirus’ comprehensive protection and features and find out if it's the right cybersecurity solution for you.
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The Best Password Managers for Businesses 2026
We rounded up five business password managers on security, compliance, admin controls, and deployment speed to find the best fit for teams of every size.
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Watch 'Friends' Online From Anywhere in the World
Even though “Friends” ended over 20 years ago, it’s still one of the most streamed shows online. Learn how to watch it from anywhere with a premium VPN.
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The Best VPNs for China 2026
The best VPNs for China are NordVPN for affordability and security, ExpressVPN for consistency and reliability, and VyprVPN for security features.
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NordVPN vs. Mozilla VPN 2026: Does Mozilla Stand Its Ground Against This Heavyweight?
Discover the best VPN for your needs as we compare Mozilla VPN's user-friendly approach with NordVPN's advanced features and customization options.
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TunnelBear VPN vs. NordVPN 2026: How Does TunnelBear Match Against This Juggernaut?
Discover the key differences between TunnelBear and NordVPN to determine the ideal VPN for your online privacy, streaming, and security needs.
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IPVanish vs. Private Internet Access 2026: Which Is More Reliable and Cost-Effective?
Discover the key differences between IPVanish and Private Internet Access, and find out which VPN offers the perfect blend of security, performance, and affordability for your needs.
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How To Use a VPN on Playstation to Game Anonymously
Become an anonymous online gaming ghost by using a VPN on your PlayStation console.
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The Best VPNs for the UK 2026
Get the best U.K. VPN experience tailored to your needs, whether it's for the number of servers, server speed, or streaming.
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How To Cancel Your NordVPN Subscription in Just a Few Simple Steps
We’ll show you how to cancel your NordVPN subscription easily and conveniently.