Steph Trejos
Steph Trejos is a Senior Product Testing Editor at All About Cookies, where she has personally tested over 200 digital security products on PC, Mac, iPhone, and Android. She has also contributed to writing product reviews and informational guides on data security and identity theft protection.
Her role is built around hands-on product evaluation: when a security product is reviewed at All About Cookies, Steph tests it. Steph applies her firsthand testing knowledge to create rating systems and methodologies that are balanced, comprehensive, and helpful for readers. She has authored and edited over 425 articles on digital privacy and security for AAC.
What distinguishes Steph's testing is the credential framework behind it. She is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) — a formal, exam-based credential awarded by ACAMS, the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists and the world's largest anti-financial crime professional body. That certification reflects demonstrated expertise in financial crime, fraud patterns, and cyber threats that make identity theft protection, VPNs, and antivirus software genuinely necessary — not just desirable. She understands the threat landscape these products are designed to address, which makes her evaluation of whether a product actually delivers on its claims more substantive than surface-level feature testing.
Before joining All About Cookies, Steph served as an editorial assistant at ACAMS, where she produced and edited publications on money laundering, terrorist financing, and cyber threats. She subsequently edited financial crime and cybersecurity content at FinanceBuzz. Across more than 350 articles edited at All About Cookies, her deepest vertical coverage spans VPNs, antivirus software, and identity theft protection — the same threat categories that defined her earlier career.
Steph holds a B.A. in Mass Communication/Media Studies & English: Editing, Writing, and Media from Florida State University.
When she's not testing products, Steph enjoys watching movies and trying new restaurants.
- ACAMS Today
- FinanceBuzz
- Identity Theft
- Data Security
- VPNs
- Antivirus
- Password Managers
- Ad Blockers
- Parental Controls
- Credit Monitoring
- Online Privacy
- B.A. in English Literature and Media/Communications from Florida State University
- Mac or PC: Both
- Android or iPhone: iPhone
Steph's Latest Articles
-
The Best Antivirus for iPads 2026
The best antivirus for iPad is Norton for an all-in-one security suite. Bitdefender is best for scam protection, Avira is the best free option, and McAfee is best for multiple devices.
-
Password Safe Review 2026: Tried and True or Too Outdated?
Password Safe is an open-source software that hasn’t updated its user interface or its features — should you use it?
-
The Best Antivirus Software for Laptops 2026
The best antivirus software for laptops include Norton 360, Bitdefender, and AVG, which offers comprehensive device protection from online threats.
-
Qustodio vs. mSpy 2026: Which Product Is Best for Your Family?
We put two parental control apps to the test to see which is better for your family: The feature-rich Qustodio or the surveillance-king mSpy?
-
The Best VPNs for Israel 2026
Discover the best VPN for use in Israel for every need, from enhancing security to seamless streaming.
-
The Best VPNs for Watching Formula 1 2026
A VPN lets you catch F1 races from almost anywhere in the world. Based on our testing, we recommend NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark to stream Formula 1. Here's why.
-
Speed Up Your Downloads: Top 5 Fastest Torrenting Clients of 2026
Explore our expert picks for the fastest torrenting clients, ensuring quick, efficient, and secure file sharing for all your downloading needs.
-
13 eBay Scams: How To Spot Them and Avoid Them
We’ll go over the red flags for 13 of the most common eBay scams and how to protect yourself while online shopping.
-
IdentityIQ vs. Experian IdentityWorks 2026: A Close Race
IdentityIQ and Experian IdentityWorks go head to head in this battle of identity theft services.
-
Norton vs. Sophos 2026: Norton Has Everything You Need
Norton is a good choice for users wanting additional cybersecurity features with an antivirus suite. Sophos is no slouch either, and works for anyone wanting various options that may cost a bit more than other antivirus programs.
-
The Best Identity Theft Protection With Fraud Detection 2026
Looking for the best identity theft protection and fraud detection solution? You can’t go wrong with LifeLock, Aura, or Identity Guard.
-
The Best VPNs for the Netherlands 2026
For the Netherlands, ExpressVPN excels in security and streaming, CyberGhost offers the best value, and PIA stands out for customization and advanced features.
-
LifeLock vs. Allstate Identity Protection 2026
If you’re looking for an identity theft protection solution, check out how LifeLock and Allstate Identity Protection stack up.
-
Bitdefender vs. Trend Micro 2026: Bitdefender Defends Its Position
Trend Micro is a good option for those who want a comprehensive security program, and aren’t bothered by potential lower third-party ratings. On the other hand, Bitdefender offers reliability and almost-perfect protection scores.
-
How To Recover a Hacked PayPal Account
Learn how to recover your PayPal account if it ever gets hacked and how to avoid breaches in the future.
-
9 Telegram Scams and How To Avoid Them
Scammers are on nearly every online platform, including Telegram. Knowing these 9 Telegram scams and how to protect yourself can keep you from falling victim to an online scam.
-
The Best Browsers With a Built-In VPN 2026
Firefox now leads our list with a free built-in VPN and strong privacy tools. Compare the top browsers with integrated VPNs for privacy, everyday use, mobile, and anti-tracking.
-
The Best VPNs for South Korea 2026
Discover the top VPNs for South Korea in 2024: NordVPN for its extensive server network, Surfshark for budget-friendly options, and ExpressVPN for high-speed streaming.
-
LifeLock vs. Experian IdentityWorks 2026: Key Differences That Matter
LifeLock offers broader identity monitoring, but Experian has FICO scores — here's how the two stack up on features, price, and support.
-
Facebook Messenger Scams 2026: How to Spot and Stop Them
Facebook Messenger scams are like uninvited guests in your digital space. Learn how to spot, stop, and protect against them.
-
LifeLock vs. ID Watchdog 2026: Individual Coverage or a Family Plan?
Identity theft protection services like LifeLock and ID Watchdog can protect you from identity theft without you having to think about it.