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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Firefox Free VPN Review: Does It Actually Protect Your Privacy?
I ran speed, leak, and streaming tests on Firefox's built-in VPN to give you a straight answer on whether it's worth enabling and how it compares to top VPN providers.
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How To Know if an AirTag Is Tracking You (And What To Do About It)
Learn how to spot the signs of AirTag tracking, find hidden devices on iPhone or Android, and take simple steps to quickly stop Bluetooth trackers from stalking you.
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What Is AgeGO, and Can You Trust It with Your Data in 2026
I break down how AgeGO works, why it’s appearing more often, and whether you can trust online age verification systems with sensitive information.
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The Best Parental Control App for iPhone 2026
The best parental control apps for iPhone include Norton Family, Aura, and Qustodio. All three complement Apple’s Screen Time but offer additional protection features for kids.
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How to Bet on March Madness 2026: A Beginner’s Guide to Betting on the NCAA Tournament
Learn how March Madness betting works, the most common wager types, and how to place bets responsibly throughout the NCAA Tournament.
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Is Sports Betting Legal in the U.S.? State Laws, Restrictions, and Betting Options Explained 2026
We cover where sports betting is illegal in the U.S., how online sportsbooks and DFS platforms differ, and the options available to bettors in restricted states.
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How to Bet on Super Bowl LX: Where to Bet, What to Wager, and How It Works
If you’re a beginner but want to bet on the Super Bowl, we cover where and how to place your first wager. Plus, learn how to stay secure and compliant while placing NFL bets.
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Moonlock Review 2026: A Lightweight Mac Antivirus That Actually Delivers
Moonlock is a fast macOS antivirus that delivers excellent real-time protection and scan performance. Learn more about our experience testing Moonlock.
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How To Bypass Age Verification in Australia (Tested 2026)
Here’s our expert guide for beginners on Australia’s new age verification laws, how they work, and how to bypass AU-only restrictions while protecting your privacy.
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Bark vs. Life360 2026: Smarter Monitoring or Safer Driving?
Bark leads in digital monitoring for families focused on online safety, while Life360 stands out for real-world tracking and driver alerts.
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The Best Parental Controls for Teenagers 2026
Finding the right monitoring app for your teen isn't easy. But we recommend Aura for unintrusive monitoring, along with Qustodio, Bark, and Norton Family.
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Life360 Review 2025: A Smarter Take on Family Location Tracking
Life360 is a location-tracking app that prioritizes safety, especially while driving. It's designed to keep families and groups connected. Learn more about its pros and cons.
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How To Bypass Age Verification in 2026 [Tested]
You don’t need to hand over your ID every time you click “I’m over 18.” Here’s how VPNs and privacy tools help you (and your browsing) stay anonymous.
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Is Aura Worth It in 2026?: Security You Can Trust, Extras You Might Skip
Aura excels at core identity protection with credit monitoring, fraud alerts, and recovery services, but are the extra features worth it for individuals or families?
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1Password vs. Aura Password Manager 2026: Password Security Specialist or All-in-One Suite?
1Password offers specialized password security, while Aura boasts a digital security suite that features a VPN and antivirus protection with its secure password vault.
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Is Incogni Worth It in 2026? What Our Testing Reveals
Is Incogni the best choice for data removal in 2026? Our hands-on review breaks down the value behind the subscription and lets you know when Incogni is worth it.
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Bark Price 2026: Plans, Features, and Value for Families
Is Bark’s price tag fair in 2026? With unlimited devices and deep monitoring, many families find the subscription well worth it. Here’s an inside look at Bark prices.
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The Best VPNs for NFL Streaming 2026
If you’re ready to watch this NFL season but don’t know how to access out-of-market content, we cover the best VPNs for NFL streaming across devices and platforms.
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Aura Ad Blocker Review 2026: AI-Powered Web Protection
Aura Ad Blocker is a user-friendly extension bundled with the Aura digital security suite. Despite a lack of customization and compatibility, it outperforms other ad blockers.
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Aura Password Manager Review 2026: Is It Worth It for the Extras?
Aura Password Manager is a solid choice for users already invested in Aura’s online security suite, but it lacks the advanced features and flexibility of standalone password managers.
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Is McAfee Worth It in 2026?
Some computers come with McAfee pre-installed, but is it worth paying for antivirus software once the free trial ends? We break down why McAfee may be worth the cost.