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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The Best VPNs for Crypto Trading 2026
NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all offer maximum security and anonymity for safe crypto trading.
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The Best VPNs for PUBG 2026
NordVPN is our top pick for PUBG and PUBG Mobile, with 9,300+ servers for low-latency connections and easy region unblocking on iOS and Android.
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Best Ad Blockers for Chrome [Tested 2026]: Manifest V3–Ready Picks
I tested the most popular ad blocker extensions for Chrome. Here are the best Chrome ad blockers and how they addressed the Manifest v3 update.
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KeepSolid VPN Unlimited Review 2026: Decent Features, Worrying Data Collection Policies
KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is a decent VPN that offers good security features but it needs improvement in terms of speed and privacy policies.
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The Best VPNs for Sports Betting and Gambling 2026
Learn more about the top three VPNs for a secure and private gambling and sports betting experience.
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Best Adware Removal Tools 2026
Unlock optimal cyberthreat protection with these top adware removal tools.
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How To Change Your Snapchat Location in 2026
Learn how to change your location settings on Snapchat quickly and easily.
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The Best Ad Blockers for Microsoft Edge 2026
Want to block more embedded ads, pop-ups, and trackers than Microsoft Edge's built-in ad blocker can? We recommend Total Adblock, Surfshark, and NordVPN Threat Protection. Here's why.
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The Best VPNs for Mac 2026
Learn about our top three VPNs for Mac users: NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN.
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How to Find Your Roku's IP Address: 5 Methods
Find your Roku's IP address with these methods so you can troubleshoot issues or set up a VPN.
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How To Set Up a VPN on Your Xbox
You can't directly install a VPN onto an Xbox console, but through your router, computer, or hotspot, you can get the benefits of a secure VPN connection while gaming. Here's how.
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What Could Happen If Your SIM Card Falls Into the Wrong Hands?
The dangers of SIM card hacking: How hackers can access your personal information and communication data.
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Keep Yourself Off the Web: How To Remove Your Personal Information From Google
For those concerned about their presence on the internet, it is essential to remove personal information from Google search results.
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Is My VPN Working? Here's How to Check
Here’s how to verify that your VPN is working as it should be and not leaking your private data.
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What Is an Ad Blocker and How Does It Work?
Ad blockers filter out ads, trackers, and malicious scripts before they ever load. Here's how ad blockers work and what they can — and can't — block.
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What is a VPN and Why Would You Use One?
Learn what a VPN is and why you might want to use one for secure and encrypted internet connections.
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The Best Antivirus Software of 2026 [Expert Tested]
In our first-ever Editors' Choice Antivirus Awards, we tested over 30 antivirus programs and compiled our list of the best antivirus software for better device security in 2026.
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Bitdefender Free Review 2026: Good or Should You Upgrade?
Explore how Bitdefender Free stacks up in offering essential antivirus protection without the price tag and whether it's the right choice for your cybersecurity needs.