Max Eddy

Max Eddy

Former Lead Security Analyst

My Experience

Since my start in 2008, I've covered a wide variety of topics from space missions to fax service reviews. At PCMag, much of my work focused on security and privacy services, as well as a video game or two. I also wrote the occasional security columns, focused on making information security practical for normal people. I helped organize the Ziff Davis Creators Guild union and served as its Unit Chair.

My Areas of Expertise

  • Technology, security, and privacy
  • Security and privacy software, including VPNs
  • Hardware multi-factor authentication keys
  • Open-source software and hardware
  • Election security and disinformation
  • Interpreting infosec research for a wider audience
  • Amateur Myst historian

    • The 24 Most Niche Simulation PC Games We Could Find

      There's a vast world of PC games that let you tackle the mundane in creative and surprisingly enjoyable ways. Build a PC, run a pizza shop, or become a bee with these strange and wondrous titles.

      5 months, 1 week By Max Eddy, Gabriel Zamora
      The 24 Most Niche Simulation PC Games We Could Find (Slideshow Mobile World Congress (MWC))
    • IVPN
      4.0 Excellent Editors' Choice

      5 months, 3 weeks By Max Eddy, Kim Key, Justyn Newman
      IVPN (Review IVPN)
    • TunnelBear VPN
      4.0 Excellent Editors' Choice

      A serious VPN that doesn't take itself too seriously

      11 months By Max Eddy, Kim Key, Justyn Newman
      TunnelBear VPN (Review TunnelBear VPN)
    • CyberGhost VPN
      4.0 Excellent

      CyberGhost’s vast network of task-specific servers makes it a good VPN for streaming, torrenting, and location spoofing, while quarterly transparency reports demonstrate its commitment to privacy.

      11 months By Max Eddy, Justyn Newman
      CyberGhost VPN (Review CyberGhost VPN)
    • Livedrive
      3.5 Good

      Unlimited backup sans disk imaging

      1 year, 2 months By Max Eddy, Justin Pot
      Livedrive (Review Livedrive)
    • IDShield
      4.0 Excellent

      Comprehensive identity protection plus decent device security

      1 year, 3 months By Neil J. Rubenking, Max Eddy
      IDShield (Review IDShield)
    • ClamXAV for Mac
      3.5 Good

      Basic macOS antivirus protection at an excellent price

      1 year, 3 months By Neil J. Rubenking, Max Eddy
      ClamXAV for Mac (Review ClamXAV for Mac)
    • Pornhub Is Now Blocked in 2 More States: How to Watch Anyway

      To protest age-verification laws, Pornhub blocks access in North Carolina and Montana. Tools like VPNs can help you get around that, but this type of legislation is part of a troubling trend.

      2 years, 4 months By Max Eddy, Chloe Albanesius
      Pornhub Is Now Blocked in 2 More States: How to Watch Anyway (HOW-TO VPN)
    • Pornhub Is Now Blocked in 2 More States: How to Watch Anyway

      To protest age-verification laws, Pornhub blocks access in North Carolina and Montana. Tools like VPNs can help you get around that, but this type of legislation is part of a troubling trend.

      2 years, 4 months By Max Eddy, Chloe Albanesius
      Pornhub Is Now Blocked in 2 More States: How to Watch Anyway (News VPN)
    • VPN vs. Proxy: What's the Difference?

      Proxies and VPNs both let you change how your web traffic is perceived by the outside world, but they're fundamentally different technologies. We explain which one is right for you.

      2 years, 6 months By Max Eddy, Chris Stobing
      VPN vs. Proxy: What's the Difference?  (HOW-TO Proxy)
    • Opera VPN Pro
      3.0 Average

      An affordable VPN, limited by simplicity

      2 years, 8 months By Max Eddy, Kim Key
      Opera VPN Pro (Review Opera VPN Pro)
    • What to Expect at Black Hat 2023

      The annual Black Hat conference brings together hackers and researchers from all over the world, eager to share their latest discoveries. We have some tantalizing guesses about what we'll learn this year.

      2 years, 9 months By Max Eddy
      What to Expect at Black Hat 2023 (News Security)
    • 6 Tips to Watch Porn Online Safely

      We can all use a little titillation. Here's how to enjoy pornography without putting your privacy (or your reputation!) at risk.

      2 years, 9 months By Max Eddy
      6 Tips to Watch Porn Online Safely (HOW-TO VPN)