Over the last decade, the gig economy boom has allowed professionals worldwide to switch to freelancing and build a network of international clients.&nbsp;
According to Upwork, 1 in 3 US workers engaged in freelance work during 2020. Some of the most successful freelancers earn hundreds of thousands of dollars per year through platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal.
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Does your company hire freelancers? How do you <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/should-i-share-data-with-freelancers">share passwords with freelancers</a>? TeamPassword is an affordable password management solution for small businesses, startups, and agencies to share credentials securely with team members and freelancers. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today.
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<h2>10 Successful Freelancers</h2>
Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field with excellent track records&mdash;many have worked with the biggest companies in the world!
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<h3>1. Scott Luscombe - Graphic Designer / Shopify Expert / Website Developer / Copywriter&nbsp; - Canada</h3>
Scott Luscombe is a freelance graphic designer, Shopify expert, website developer, and copywriter from Uxbridge, Canada. He holds a degree in Illustration from Sheridan College and a degree in Marketing from the University of Toronto.
Scott has been a freelancer for most of his professional career and has earned over $500k on Upwork. He has completed over 311 jobs and worked&nbsp;10,956 hours!&nbsp;
Scott's work includes graphic design and branding, illustration and icons, copywriting, website design and development, UX/UI, and printing and packaging. He also provides freelance coaching and consulting. Scott is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer currently charging $99 per hour for various creative gigs.
Some of Scott's most notable work includes designs for Coca-Cola, the Canadian Cancer Society, Nickelodeon, and Wallet Ninja (to name a few).&nbsp;
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<h3>2. Kathy Edens - Marketing Consultant / Freelance Copywriter - United States</h3>
<a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~016177d19f0624c1a7?viewMode=1">Kathy Edens is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with over $300k platform earnings! Kathy has been self-employed as a marketing consultant and freelance copywriter for almost ten years from her home in Ohio, United States.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing and Psychology from Oregon State University, which she says "...helps me understand how to reach your target audience with words."&nbsp;
Kathy has ghost-written several non-fiction books on various topics, including social entrepreneurship, healthcare, real estate investing, and the cannabis industry, to name a few.
Kathy also writes web content, sales pages, email marketing content, case studies, white papers, brochures, press releases, and more. Kathy's rates start at $86 per hour for her writing and marketing services.
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<h3>3. Koen van Oeveren - UX designer - Netherlands</h3>
Koen van Oeveren is a freelance UI &amp; UX designer from North Brabant, Netherlands, with almost ten years of experience. Koen works with several design agencies in the Netherlands, designing apps, websites, and eCommerce experiences for many international brands.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Koen holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Communication and Multimedia Design from Avans University in the Netherlands. Koen's <a href="https://www.koenvo.com/index.html">portfolio website Koenvo</a> was nominated for a <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/sites/koenvo-ui-ux-portfolio">2021 awwwards. Award</a>.
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<h3>4. Pascal Strasche - Product / UX designer - Germany</h3>
Pascal Strasche is a product and UX designer with more than ten years of design experience from Germany. He holds a Master of Arts in Interaction Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, both from HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
For almost a year over 2020/2021, Pascal worked as the sole product designer to design Con Cubo's SaaS tool that helps complex organizations visualize and manage teams. He's also worked with German steel giant XOM Materials to find product solutions to digitalize&nbsp;Germany's steel industry.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
In 2019, Pascal founded Product Design Resources, a growing archive of 800+ design resources, weekly updated for the design community.
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<h3>5. Paul Hunkin - Developer - New Zealand</h3>
Paul Hunkin is a freelance software consultant and developer from Tauranga, New Zealand, but currently living in Portugal.&nbsp;
Paul has over ten years of experience as a software developer with an impressive work history, including Google, NASA, InfoSys, and the Chinese aerospace industry leader COMAC.
He's worked with several early-stage startups designing everything from high-performance big-data systems to complex web applications to 3D rendering engines. He's also built a lot of the foundational code for independent games on Android.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Paul is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. His rates start at $120 per hour for software development. <a href="https://paulh.consulting/">Check out Paul's website</a> for more about his impressive portfolio and work history.
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<h3>6. Jana Galat - Writer / Brand Strategist - Canada</h3>
Jana Galat is a freelance copywriter and brand strategist from Ontario, Canada. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Organizational Studies from King's University College and an Honors in Business Administration from Western University.
Jana has extensive experience writing landing pages, email campaigns, social media ads, and print materials and says, "I am obsessed with creating copy that sells..."
After several years of professional work experience, Jana went freelance in 2019 and has quickly built a reputation as a <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01bfa17a48301876dd">Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with over $70k in platform earnings. Jana's rates start at $100 per hour for copywriting and brand consulting.
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<h3>7. Kate H. - Logo Designer / Branding Expert - United States</h3>
Kate is a freelance professional logo designer and branding expert from Maryland, United States. Kate&nbsp;ran her own green wedding brand which she sold to mywedding.com in 2014, allowing her to focus on helping small&nbsp;businesses figure out what they want (and who they are) and translate that into design.
She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management from Yale School of The Environment, and a J.D. in environmental law from Pace Law School.&nbsp;
Kate's skillset includes redesigning and updating material to make it easier to understand, building a consistent brand from a simple starting point like a logo, and creating unique logos that guarantee results.
Kate is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer, and her rates start at $225 per hour. You can find out more about Kate on her <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~013ce73876c1c18126" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Upwork profile</a>.
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<h3>8. Marcos Rezende - UX designer - Canada</h3>
Marcos Rezende is a UX Designer from Ontario, Canada, with more than 13 years of experience. Marcos has worked in over 30 industry sectors for multinational organizations in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Brazil.&nbsp;
Some of Marcos' notable projects include apps for Ontario's COVID-19 dashboard, Urban Master Planning collaboration platform, and Reaction (kid's e-learning app), to name a few.&nbsp;
Marcos loves sharing his industry expertise with aspiring UX designers and regularly writes for the popular UX publication Career Foundry. Total recognizes Marcos as part of its "Top 3%" of global freelancer talent&mdash;a title given to elite freelancers in their given field.
We don't have access to Marcos' rates, but the best UX designers on Upwork earn upwards of $100 per hour. As a Toptal Top 3% freelancer, Marcos likely charges $200-$300 per hour.
<a href="https://www.marcosrezende.com/">Marcos Rezende's website</a> was nominated for the prestigious <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/sites/ux-portfolio-marcos-rezende">awwwards.</a> in 2021.
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<h3>9. Tanya Litvinova - UX/UI Designer - United States</h3>
Tanya Litvinova is a freelance UX/UI designer from New York City, United States. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design / Communication Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Tanya specializes in product, mobile, and web design as well as user experience flow, research, and validation.
"I have a passion to make the complex simple, shape behavior, design, plan, and strategize. Aiming for the best user experience, all the while balancing the needs of business and technology to create engaging, habit-forming digital products."
Tanya has worked with Fortune 100 &amp; Fortune 500 companies and successfully delivered business-transforming data-driven analytics, responsive BI dashboards, enterprise web apps, and management systems. Some of Tanya's notable clients include KOCH Industries, BlackRock Financial, BCG Group, and FireEye, to name a few.
<a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0165035041b26e96df">Tanya is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with more than $200k platform earnings. Her current rate starts at $162.50 per hour.
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<h3>10. Guangming Lang - Data Scientist - United States</h3>
Guangming Lang is a freelance data scientist from Michigan, United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from New College of Florida and a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan. Guangming has also completed several Coursera courses in data science and machine learning.
Guangming has been a freelancer since 2013 and has worked across several industries, including fintech, trading, medicine, biotech, advertising, and HR.&nbsp;
Guangming is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. He's completed 216 jobs on Upwork totaling 3,805 hours! Guangming's current rates start at $200 per hour.
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<h2>Secure Freelancer Workflows With TeamPassword</h2>
No matter how talented or reputable the freelancers and contractors you hire, your company must use secure workflows to protect your digital assets.
Freelancers often need access to shared accounts and tools. Using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> is the first step to securing these accounts and platforms. You can also use a password manager to share credentials with employees, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure you never expose raw passwords via email, spreadsheets, chat apps, and other non-secure methods.
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> lets you create groups to share access with only those who need it. When they're done, revoke access with a single click. No need to change passwords every time someone leaves the team.
If you do need to change a password, TeamPassword's built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a> lets you create secure passwords between 12-32 characters using numbers, letters (uppercase/lowercase), and symbols.
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Ready to onboard clients and freelancers securely with TeamPassword's robust <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password management solution</a>? <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a free trial</a> to secure your company's digital assets today!

Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field.

Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in ...

10 extremely successful freelancers and what they do

Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field with excellent track records—many have worked with the biggest companies in the world!

Password managers are a reliable and secure solution for storing login credentials, particularly for businesses requiring daily access to numerous systems and digital tools. Although LastPass is loaded with features, it might not be the best fit for your specific requirements.&nbsp;
LastPass received significant criticism in 2022 for a breach that allowed cybercriminals to steal backups of user vaults. At the time, LastPass tried to assuage concerns by saying the vaults were still encrypted, and that you should only be concerned if your password wasn't strong. This shifting of the onus of responsibility onto affected users wasn't generally appreciated.&nbsp;
A few months later, a series of cryptocurrency heists <a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2023/09/experts-fear-crooks-are-cracking-keys-stolen-in-lastpass-breach/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">had experts worrying that the vaults were being cracked</a>.
That being said, you may want to look elsewhere for a password manager!&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ve rounded up 5 of the best alternatives to help you and your team find the most appropriate password management solution.
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="#teampassword" rel="follow">TeamPassword</a>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Collaboration-focused, affordable, secure</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="#1password" rel="follow">1Password</a>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Additional security measures, flexible features</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="#nordpass" rel="follow">NordPass</a>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Integrates with other Nord products, good for solo users</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="#bitwarden" rel="follow">Bitwarden</a>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Open-source, cost-effective</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="#dashlane" rel="follow">Dashlane</a>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Feature-rich</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr">Why do you need a password manager?&nbsp;</h2>
Without a password manager, most of us fall back on the same password strategy: one or two unique passwords with a handful of variations as needed.&nbsp;
As a solo user, you may be able to come up with other clever ways to remember unique passwords for every account, or maybe you're willing to haul a notebook around. But for teams and businesses, passing a notebook around just doesn't cut it. Spreadsheets aren't secure or convenient, and for remote workplaces, you want a tool that tracks how the passwords are being accessed. 
That's where password managers enter the market. Audited, highly secured, convenient password vaults for you and your business. 
<h2 dir="ltr">Password Manager Features to Look For</h2>
There are a few essential features that most top password managers have. Still, it&rsquo;s important to cover the basics before importing passwords and onboarding your team.
Some password managers overwhelm you with features or lock useful features behind a paywall. Try to find a password manager where you&rsquo;ll pay for the features you need and not the ones you don&rsquo;t.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Other Features to Consider Include:</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Multi-device compatibility: Ensure the password manager works on all devices used by the business.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Password generator: You want a built-in password generator so that creating strong and secure passwords is easy.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Auto-fill/autocomplete: Choose password managers that auto-fill login details to save time.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Easy setup: Select managers with easy setup to avoid wasting onboarding time and troubleshooting. Your password manager should simplify your business operations.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Enhanced security features: Built-in audit tools and enforceable multi-factor authentication help keep your password vault safe</li>
<li>Stellar customer support: If you or your team has questions, you want real people to provide fast answers</li>
</ul>
Now, let&rsquo;s examine five potential password managers to choose as LastPass alternatives.
<h2 id="teampassword">TeamPassword</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/a6vavwsQ8qjAmiskFVtA" alt="TeamPassword homepage new.webp">
<a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a> is the perfect password management tool for collaborative teams, such as agencies handling multiple client passwords and small businesses seeking to bolster security across departments.
One feature distinguishing TeamPassword from similar tools is its user-friendly interface, which simplifies navigation. Not only does this improve the user experience on a day-to-day basis, but it also ensures seamless onboarding for new team members.
TeamPassword is a streamlined and affordable solution that offers only the necessary features without the added complexity of unnecessary bells and whistles. <a href="https://teampassword.com/pricing" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword offers its yearly plans</a> for just $3.00 per user/month for the standard plan, and $6.00 per user/month if you need more advanced features.
<h3 dir="ltr">TeamPassword Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Easy accessibility: Team members can easily access their tools and services from any device.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Intuitive user interface: The simple and user-friendly UI enables effortless use of all features, resulting in a high adoption rate.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Password sharing: Sharing passwords with team members or groups is a hassle-free process with just a few clicks. Access restrictions can also be implemented quickly.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Password generator: TeamPassword generates strong, random, and secure passwords on your behalf.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Security features: TeamPassword offers robust security features, including two-step verification (enforceable) and encryption, to ensure the safety of your data.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1password">1Password</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/sysUqVPQqK2FVFjIEmLg" alt="undefined">
<a href="https://1password.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">1Password</a>, similar to LastPass, offers an automatic form filler, cross-platform support, multi-factor authentication, a password generator, and superior data encryption. These overlapping features make it a viable option to consider as an alternative.
Although 1Password does not provide a free plan, a 14-day trial of its premium plan is available. After the trial, a personal plan costs $2.99, while the Teams Starter plan for businesses is $19.95 per month for up to 10 people. Additionally, the Business plan is available for $7.99 per user per month.
<h3 dir="ltr">1Password Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Travel Mode: This feature allows you to temporarily eliminate sensitive information from your devices when traveling.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Secure Document Storage: Store confidential documents, such as passports and insurance policies, in an encrypted format that is protected by a master password.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Watchtower: 1Password's Watchtower feature tracks website security concerns and promptly notifies you of any issues, enabling you to keep your accounts safe.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="nordpass">Nordpass</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/GAnmlMPTQaW9cBCBgFxO" alt="Nordpass Homepage.webp">
<a href="https://nordpass.com/homepage/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">NordPass</a> is a reliable alternative that enables cross-platform accessibility, generating and storing passwords without any storage limits. It goes beyond password management and allows you to securely store sensitive information in folders for quick and easy access. NordPass offers a free personal account with the option to upgrade to a paid premium account. Their business pricing includes a two-year plan that costs $3.59 per user/month and comes with a free trial.
<h3 dir="ltr">Nordpass Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Store without limits: NordPass lets you store an unlimited number of passwords, credit cards, and notes in your vault without worrying about storage limits.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Stay informed about data breaches: The data breach scanner notifies you whenever your email or password is detected in a data breach, so you can take quick action to secure your accounts.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Advanced authentication: NordPass uses time-based one-time password (TOTP) and universal two-factor (U2F) authentication to provide an extra layer of security for your data.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="bitwarden">Bitwarden</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/3xJkMQFRScNT374cvODA" alt="Bitwarden homepage.webp">
<a href="https://bitwarden.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Bitwarden</a>, an open-source alternative to LastPass, prioritizes security and ease of use with features such as strong encryption, unlimited device syncing, zero-knowledge encryption, and password generation. These features make password management effortless and secure.
Bitwarden offers various pricing plans, including personal and family plans, as well as business plans starting at $4.00 per user/month, making it an affordable solution for both personal and professional use.
<h3 dir="ltr">Bitwarden Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Bitwarden Send: This feature lets you securely share encrypted information with others, such as passwords or credit card details, and set a self-destruct timer for added protection.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Secure Notes: Bitwarden also provides secure storage for other types of sensitive information beyond passwords.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Vault Health Reports: Bitwarden generates reports that analyze the strength and security of your passwords, providing a score for each one. By using this data, you can identify and address potential security concerns proactively.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="dashlane">Dashlane</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/hpQroUUeT9ipTMZEsQGq" alt="Dashlane Homepage.webp">
<a href="https://www.dashlane.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Dashlane</a>, like other LastPass alternatives, offers several similar features, including a password generator, password sharing, autofill, and accessibility capabilities, to help users organize, speed up, and secure their online activities. Additionally, Dashlane has a dark web monitoring feature that sends alerts when a data breach occurs.
For up to 10 users, Dashlane's starter pricing starts at $2.00 per seat/month, while larger teams can use the "Team" package, which starts at $5.00 per seat/month. The Business plan will cost you $8.00 per user/month but includes features such as single sign-on and on-demand phone support.
<h3 dir="ltr">Dashlane Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Password changer: Update your passwords on supported websites with just a few clicks using this feature.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Dark web monitoring: Receive alerts if your data is found on the dark web as this service scans the internet for compromised information.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Secured note: Save sensitive information like passport numbers or business details within the app and grant access only to trusted parties with this feature.</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr">How to Switch Password Managers</h2>
Switching password managers is a straightforward process that requires only a few steps. First, you need to export your data from your current password manager, then import it into your new LastPass alternative. With the right instructions, the process can be completed quickly and easily, allowing you to start using your new password manager in no time.
<ol>
<li>Go to the LastPass login page: https://lastpass.com/?ac=1</li>
<li>Enter your email address and master password, then click Log In.</li>
<li>If prompted, complete steps for multifactor authentication (if it is enabled for your account).</li>
<li>Select Advanced Options &gt; Export.</li>
<li>If prompted, enter your master password. If desired, select Do not re-prompt for and use the drop-down menu to select a time interval.</li>
<li>Select Continue. Result: An email notification has been sent to your LastPass email address for verification.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Check your inbox for a "Verify export" message, then click Continue export in the email to verify. Note: The verification link expires after 10 minutes.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Return to your vault, then go to Advanced Options &gt; Export again.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">If prompted, enter your master password and click Submit.</li>
</ol>
<h2 dir="ltr">Which Password Manager is the Best For You?</h2>
TeamPassword is an excellent solution tailored to teams that value robust encryption algorithms, personalized access controls, and timely customer support. With its exceptional features, this password management tool enables your team to securely store, share, and manage passwords. <a href="https://teampassword.com/pricing" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Try Teampassword FREE for 14 days</a> to discover how it improves your workflow!

Looking for LastPass alternatives? Discover the important features to consider when choosing a password manager to keep your online accounts secure and organized. While password managers can be incredibly helpful, finding the one that best fits your needs is crucial.

Looking for LastPass alternatives? Discover the important features to consider when choosing a password manager to keep your ...

Top 5 LastPass Alternatives (2024)

Looking for LastPass alternatives? Discover the important features to consider when choosing a password manager to keep your online accounts secure and organized. While password managers can be incredibly helpful, finding the one that best fits your needs is crucial.
TeamPassword was built for groups who need to share logins, like Digital Marketers. 

<hr />

"As a user of both TeamPassword and LastPass, I really appreciate the ease with which TeamPassword allows me to control who can access certain systems and who can't. As a SaaS provider, we use a lot of other SaaS applications to provide great experiences for our customers. TeamPassword gives us the comfort to share access to those applications within our org, knowing we can easily remove users when needed." - Tom H., VP Engineering, Network For Good

<hr />

KeePass is a solid software for certain use cases, but there are a few reasons you might look for an alternative password manager. Let's look at the best KeePass alternatives.

KeePass is a solid software for certain use cases, but there are a few reasons you might look ...

Top 10 KeePass Alternatives for 2024

You have probably seen many popular communication technologies declaring that they use end-to-end encryption to protect your data. End-to-end encryption is often thought of as the most private and secure way to communicate online and it is now more accessible than ever.

Sounds great &ndash; but what exactly does end-to-end encryption mean? How does it work? Does end-to-end encryption offer better and more secure communication?&nbsp;

In this blog post, we will answer these questions and more as we discover how end-to-end encryption ensures secure communication.

<h2>What Is End-to-End Encryption and How Does It Work?</h2>
Encryption describes the practice of making data or information indecipherable to unauthorized third parties. It works by transforming data into a code that can only be decoded through an authorized decryption process. These complex transformations make it virtually impossible to decode the data without proper permissions.&nbsp;

End-to-end encryption focuses on protecting data as it is sent from one device to another. The data is encrypted on the sender&rsquo;s device and decrypted on the recipient&rsquo;s device. If someone <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/man-in-the-middle-attack" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">attempts to intercept the data</a> during transfer, it is unreadable.&nbsp;
<h2>How does end-to-end encryption differ from other encryption practices?</h2>
Unlike traditional encryption practices, end-to-end encryption is a complete solution from sender to receiver. Not only is the data encrypted in transit, but it is also never decrypted on the server. In contrast, at-rest and in-transit methods only encrypt in certain contexts.&nbsp;
<h3>Encryption in transit&nbsp;</h3>
As the name suggests, this type of encryption safeguards data as it travels between two systems. Data encrypted in transit is protected from malicious activity as it travels from sender to receiver. For example, data is in transit when using messaging services, uploading information to an app or even using <a href="https://www.dialpad.com/blog/call-center-ivr/">contact center IVR</a> systems.&nbsp;
<h3>Encryption at rest</h3>
Encryption at rest is a method of protecting data that is not in use. Often used alongside other data protection measures such as authentication and access control, encryption at rest makes stored data less vulnerable to data breaches.&nbsp;

<img height="401" width="602" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/MQ2so6iO7I8Sg7BYqQqscgRLKjlcG7lyRma3e_ajjcDxTd6N624ONcXGmsiSzuNCd3cIMQ-Hcyk2dbJ5rd39hRsAerkfqeqV991hPA2yxhv39gM15iPKKQW9IiaHMUWkpw7Dw3iSHjlB6OXHrMpxYbs">
Free to use image sourced from Unsplash

End-to-end encryption is unique in that only the sender and receiver can decrypt the data. The data is encrypted at the point of transmission and an obfuscated message is delivered which only the end-user can decrypt. The encryption and decryption are limited to the end-to-end users and not the server itself.&nbsp;

End-to-end encryption is therefore a much more private method of secure communication when compared with other encryption practices.&nbsp;
<h2>Benefits of End-to-End Encryption&nbsp;</h2>
End-to-end encryption is a powerful tool for data protection and secure communication. There are many advantages to using end-to-end encryption which we will discover in this section.&nbsp;
<h3>Data security</h3>
When you use end-to-end encryption, it is much more difficult for hackers to access your data. Even if hackers are able to compromise the servers where encrypted data is stored, they would not be able to decrypt and read the data.&nbsp;

With end-to-end encryption, even system administrators accounts are not given access to encrypted data. Only the senders and receivers have the necessary credentials to decrypt the data. Hacks against admin accounts therefore don&rsquo;t necessarily result in a data breach and this significantly <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/third-party-data-breaches-risks" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">mitigates the risk of third party data breaches</a>.
<h3>Data integrity</h3>
Since data is encrypted at the point of transmission and only decrypted when received by the intended recipient, data is protected against tampering attempts. End-to-end encryption ensures data integrity across the whole journey of a message.&nbsp;

Using cryptographic techniques, end-to-end encryption protects against data modification. Senders can rest assured that the data remains unchanged throughout the transmission process.&nbsp;
<h3>Privacy&nbsp;</h3>
End-to-end encryption provides higher levels of privacy when compared to other methods of encryption. It prevents anyone from accessing your data other than the intended recipient &ndash; even the service provider. This helps to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-prevent-insider-threats" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">protect data from insider threats</a> as well as external attacks.&nbsp;

<img height="377" width="602" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/2OjrLgjjppRwvoO5h6vMbfEFsHaTKrLRC453zisv6OINA6vj4xm6TKE315VL96X3ezt3k_me5-L9zi0Azx-Jiewg6ZiDIXEgGXlfgqgO6ZZi59fzgda79-BAaUMAUwwHe8BoYKVuoJvpB31D9OIFWF8">
Free to use image sourced from Pixabay

For example, if you use an email service provider who does not use end-to-end encryption, it can technically access the data stored within your emails at any time. On the other hand, using an end-to-end encrypted email service gives you reassurance that no one without authorization is reading your emails.&nbsp;
<h3>Compliance&nbsp;</h3>
Compliance with regulations such as ITAR and CMMC, or fraud-preventing frameworks such as COSO (read here if you&rsquo;re wondering: &ldquo;<a href="https://www.auditboard.com/blog/coso-framework-fundamentals/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">what is COSO framework</a>?&rdquo;) is essential for any organization handling sensitive data. Many compliance frameworks require total encryption protection for data at all points of storage and transmission.&nbsp;

Implementing end-to-end encryption not only ensures secure communication but also plays a significant role in meeting compliance standards.&nbsp;
<h2>How End-to-End Encryption is used&nbsp;</h2>
Due to the benefits explained above, end-to-end encryption is becoming more popular across industries that rely on secure communication. Let&rsquo;s take a look at some real examples of how end-to-end encryption is being used in today&rsquo;s world.&nbsp;
<h3>Messaging Apps</h3>
Popular messaging app WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to ensure secure communication among its users. When a user sends a message, WhatsApp encrypts the data using a unique private encryption key on the sender&rsquo;s device. The encrypted message is then transmitted to the intended recipient and can only be decrypted by that user. The receiving device possesses the corresponding private decryption key. Even if the message was somehow intercepted, it would be unreadable.&nbsp;

Signal is another open-source messaging app providing secure communication for its users. Prioritizing <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/customer-data-security-best-practices">customer data security</a> and privacy, it uses end-to-end encryption to ensure only the sender and receiver of a message can read it. This applies to all forms of communication within the Signal app, including text messages, group chats, voice calls, and video calls. It's no wonder Signal has been praised and endorsed by privacy and cybersecurity experts in the industry.&nbsp;
<h3>Email services&nbsp;</h3>
You may be surprised to learn that many email service providers do not use end-to-end encryption. However, email services that use end-to-end encryption uphold high standards of data security and privacy.&nbsp;

<img height="401" width="602" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/5tDkCKK5lTbBSZGoreI4rFDNO_-X9CAn4Lvl09F9RcQGZUznBPzjQdpp3h2CLZbRi_cSdX2xiAN4cqG-Bq2NViFkL2tV43gB0zBCuQgRA9Grap_NcM-aWl-zRT0xiXOsnAr_skkCJYcSwccKXq2ICU8">
Free to use image sourced from Unsplash

One such provider is ProtonMail, who use sophisticated end-to-end encryption practices to block all unauthorized users from accessing the data exchanged between its users - including ProtonMail itself.&nbsp;

As well as the benefits that come with end-to-end encryption such as protection from surveillance, hacking, and other security threats, ProtonMail includes additional security features. Two-factor authentication and zero-knowledge password storage further protect user data and make ProtonMail a leading provider of secure communication via email.&nbsp;
<h2>How to Implement End-to-End Encryption&nbsp;</h2>
Whether they are financial institutions, <a href="https://www.dialpad.com/guides/ccaas/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">CCaaS providers</a>, or insurance companies, today&rsquo;s businesses have more data than ever that needs protecting. If you&rsquo;re looking to up your data protection game with end-to-end encryption, we are here to guide you through three simple tips on implementing it effectively.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li>
<h3 role="presentation">Use strong encryption keys</h3>
</li>
</ol>
If you were going to protect your most prized possessions with a physical lock and key, would you choose a flimsy lock or something more robust? Of course, you would opt for something that was strong and difficult to tamper with. The same should be the case for your digital data.&nbsp;

Data encryption essentially transforms your stored data into a code that can only be deciphered using a special &ldquo;key&rdquo;. This key unlocks the data and makes it readable. Without it, the data makes no sense, so even if someone was able to access it, they wouldn&rsquo;t understand it.&nbsp;

<img height="401" width="602" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/1QPaw3ejzfAJnbgjcWXPxjcrL5p6hh06tAx0EHxUjhBVYL3l9eUj00AhNo5W4D5IDY5bAeucafXOCBuOtX0j4o3LQW0bkYkUcFD-ecALmQN-c2K1j-3WrNSAv7HYVsARx0npxnyMJWwGdggB28rhDto">
Free to use image sourced from Unsplash

Strong encryption keys are essential when it comes to data protection and secure communication with end-to-end encryption. So, how do you create a strong encryption key?

<ul>
<li>
Make it long. It goes without saying that a longer encryption key is harder to crack.&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Avoid the obvious. As tempting as it is, avoid using personal information such as names or birthdays. These are often easy to find out and therefore easy to guess.&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Mix it up. Use a mixture of letters, numbers, and special characters to make your encryption key unique.&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Change it often. It is good practice to regularly update your encryption keys as an extra layer of security.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>

Remember that your encryption key is protecting your data. Don&rsquo;t underestimate the power of a strong encryption key because the stronger it is, the safer your data is too.&nbsp;

<ol start="2">
<li>
<h3 role="presentation">Use two-factor authentication&nbsp;</h3>
</li>
</ol>
Two-factor authentication (2FA) acts as an additional layer of protection when using end-to-end encryption. 2FA is a security measure that requires an additional form of verification before allowing access to the data in question. Remember that strong lock you&rsquo;ve installed on the front door? This is like needing an extra key to unlock it.&nbsp;

For example, you may enter your password, but then be asked to verify your identity using a specific authentication app or by entering a code sent to your mobile device. If a hacker happens to guess your password, but doesn&rsquo;t have access to your authentication method &ndash; access denied.&nbsp;

When combined with end-to-end encryption, 2FA acts as a deterrent to hackers and gives you peace of mind that your data is highly protected and secure.&nbsp;
<ol start="3">
<li>
<h3 role="presentation">Keep software up to date&nbsp;</h3>
</li>
</ol>
If you&rsquo;ve ever hit &ldquo;snooze&rdquo; on a software update notification, you wouldn&rsquo;t be the only one. However, these updates can often include important security improvements which are essential for data protection and secure communication.&nbsp;

<img height="429" width="602" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/aUAZzF2XnbnvjtvjjjMzNMO-GW-oZB6Vl5wbG51M7O2h_e1OXbrGc1zDFzN5LaWadjkrkaGAcLwYnCAfUD7LTQRGtwnUm7HpZCm91QOhuX59wKvMXpYDwhzrT6yQJoOhFiny6qekb1ier7G0XzkGugo">
Free to use image sourced from Pixabay

The digital realm is fast-paced and ever-evolving, so it makes sense that there is a constant stream of new threats. To ensure you are protected against the latest security threats, you need to keep your software up to date.&nbsp;

In doing so, you maximize the protection you are getting with end-to-end encryption.&nbsp;
<h2>Securing login credentials with end-to-end encryption</h2>
So, are you ready to take your data protection and secure communication to the next level? If so, you need end-to-end encryption services. Using secure encryption keys to protect data while at rest and in transit, end-to-end encryption is designed to prioritize privacy and security.&nbsp;
<a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a> keeps your login credentials and other records safe in an AES 256-bit encrypted vault. Each teammate is given their own login to the vault, so that the data is encrypted locally and no one else, not even TeamPassword, can see it.&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Try Teampassword FREE for 14 days</a> to get secure sharing, simplified.&nbsp;

Does end-to-end encryption offer better and more secure communication? Find out exactly what end-to-end encryption means, the benefits and how it works.

Does end-to-end encryption offer better and more secure communication? Find out exactly what end-to-end encryption means, the benefits ...

How End-to-End Encryption Ensures Secure Communication

Businesses are always looking for ways to improve cybersecurity, but those improvements can come at a cost to accessibility and productivity.&nbsp;
A zero-trust approach to security is great for protecting your business against cyberattacks but can become a barrier to user experience&mdash;especially when it comes to user verification and secure access.&nbsp;
Adaptive authentication is an intelligent verification system that utilizes ongoing risk assessment to determine a user's login credentials and access permissions.
Instead of a static, one-size-fits-all solution like multi-factor authentication, adaptive authentication is a risk-based authentication method that offers a way to streamline access for trusted users.
In this article, we&rsquo;ll discuss what adaptive authentication is and how you can utilize it to protect your business from cybersecurity threats.

[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#howworks" rel="follow">How does adaptive authentication work?</a></li>
<li><a href="#5ways" rel="follow">5 ways adaptive authentication can protect your enterprise from cyberattacks</a></li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li><a href="#strengthenscyber" rel="follow">Strengthens cybersecurity across your business</a></li>
<li><a href="#accesscontrols" rel="follow">Provides intelligent user access controls</a></li>
<li><a href="#employeeexperience" rel="follow">Improves the employee user experience</a></li>
<li><a href="#customizable" rel="follow">Highly customizable for your business's unique needs</a></li>
<li><a href="#customerssafe" rel="follow">Provides a better customer experience while keeping customers safe</a></li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><a href="#adaptivecanprotect" rel="follow">Why adaptive authentication is an essential to cybersecurity</a></li>
</ul>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/wgKMI4VzQlS0Kaz0dCVx" alt="1 copy.webp" width="500" height="333">
<h2 id="howworks">How does adaptive authentication work?</h2>
Adaptive authentication determines access to organizational systems based on user-defined, ongoing, and dynamic risk assessment.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s how it works:
<ol>
<li>A user (employee or customer) inputs their login credentials.</li>
<li>The adaptive authentication system goes into assessment mode, looking at risk factors such as user location, their device, an employee&rsquo;s level of access, etc.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Adaptive authentication determines whether this user&rsquo;s interaction involves high or low-risk activities.</li>
<li>If the interaction is high-risk, the user in question is sent an authentication request to provide additional authentication methods that confirm user identity.</li>
<li>Low-risk activities are determined safe, and the user is allowed access without providing multi-factor authentication (MFA).</li>
<li>The adaptive authentication process doesn&rsquo;t end there; user behavior is continually assessed throughout interactions for signs of suspicious activity, building a risk profile for each user. Users might be prompted to log in again, provide additional verification, or be blocked from access at any time based on ongoing risk assessment.</li>
</ol>
MFA is an important aspect of adaptive authentication.&nbsp;
The point of adaptive authentication is to tighten organizational security while improving user accessibility.&nbsp;
Trusted employees performing low-risk interactions aren&rsquo;t asked to jump through additional verification hoops to do their jobs. And customers are allowed a more user-friendly experience when accessing their accounts from usual locations and devices.&nbsp;
Adaptive authentication uses intelligent risk assessment to streamline and control access.
The risk assessment process is both user-defined by your business and adaptive in real-time using <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/machine-learning-for-cybersecurity">machine learning</a> and predictive models.&nbsp;
User-defined risk factors can include:
<ul>
<li>An employee&rsquo;s level of access in the company: organizations often set access controls for various levels of information sensitivity.</li>
<li>The IP address and geographical location of the login attempt: companies might only allow access to sensitive information on-site and from work networks.</li>
<li>The device the user is trying to log in from: for employees, this might mean the difference between a company-issued laptop and a personal laptop. For customers, this might mean a different device than usual.</li>
<li>Multiple failed login attempts: organizations can block access after a certain amount of failed attempts.</li>
</ul>
After user-defined risk factors, AI can take over the authentication process with real-time monitoring. Adaptive authentication uses machine learning algorithms to learn from past user behavior to predict future behavior.
For example, if an employee is trying to log into your <a href="https://www.dialpad.com/blog/contact-center-software/">contact center solutions providers</a>&rsquo; business portal but has multiple security incidents on their record, the system might look at the information they&rsquo;re trying to access, determine its sensitivity, and deem that user a risk.&nbsp;
Once the risk criteria are assessed, adaptive authentication determines whether the user should provide MFA or be locked out of the system entirely.
Some password managers, like <a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow">TeamPassword</a>, use adaptive authentication. Account administrators can set each employee's level of access by setting their user role to limit what information the user can see. They can also assign the user to specific groups of records, thereby limiting what accounts the user has access to.
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-a-password-manager" rel="follow">Password managers</a> often use back-end fraud analytics to monitor user-account access. For instance, a user may be prompted to enter a secondary MFA code if AI determines that a login attempt is a high risk due to the geographic impossibility of recent login attempts or if the attempt was made from an unrecognized device.&nbsp;
The point of adaptive authentication is to tighten organizational cybersecurity while creating a more streamlined and accessible experience for users.

<h2><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/3zVWdEDsRvCf6D0fowui" alt="2.webp" width="500" height="333"></h2>
<h2 id="5ways">5 ways adaptive authentication can protect your business from cyberattacks</h2>
Now that we understand adaptive authentication, let&rsquo;s look at the benefits it can bring to your organization.&nbsp;

<h3 id="strengthenscyber">1. Strengthens cybersecurity across your business</h3>
Often, the weakest link in any cybersecurity infrastructure is its users.&nbsp;
According to IBM&rsquo;s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, phishing attacks were the most common attack vector for organizations, accounting for <a href="https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/E3G5JMBP">16%</a> of all data breaches.&nbsp;
Phishing attacks were also the second most costly cyber threat to businesses, after ransomware attacks.
Multi-factor authentication arose as a solution to this issue, but MFA can create friction for users while still having the same vulnerabilities as password-only security.
Adaptive authentication creates additional layers of security based specifically on user data and behavior.&nbsp;
It tackles the weakness head-on, allowing your organization to set the risk factors while also utilizing machine learning to learn, predict, and adapt based on user behavior.&nbsp;
By utilizing user behavior as a learning tool, adaptive authentication creates a stronger cybersecurity environment across your entire organization.

<h3 id="accesscontrols">2. Provides intelligent user access controls</h3>
Access management is important to a business&rsquo; internal cybersecurity.&nbsp;
Access controls manage which employees are allowed secure access to which tools based on user authority and information sensitivity.
Adaptive authentication strengthens access controls by taking those risk factors into account when authenticating.&nbsp;
For example, if a customer support employee with low-security access tries to log into customer financial data, they could be asked to provide an additional layer of security or become blocked from access. This generally works to secure sensitive information.
But if that employee requires this data to quickly resolve a customer issue, you&rsquo;ve created a barrier to their ability to do their job. They might not have the ability to provide MFA on hand or they might be denied access outright.&nbsp;
Then, the whole customer support process is ground to a halt, upsetting the customer and potentially affecting your <a href="https://www.dialpad.com/blog/service-level-call-center/">call center service level</a>.
Adaptive authentication can help by determining:
<ul>
<li>
The employee&rsquo;s location
</li>
<li>
The device they&rsquo;re logging in from
</li>
<li>
The employee&rsquo;s role in the company
</li>
<li>
The employee&rsquo;s user access history
</li>
<li>
The employee&rsquo;s past behavior when accessing information outside of their usual permissions
</li>
</ul>
The adaptive authentication system might decide the user passes all these risk criteria and allow access to the sensitive information without any additional barriers.
Often, the first line of defense against a cyberattack is the password protecting the account. That's why and advanced <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/best-password-managers-for-teams" rel="follow">password manager built specifically for teams</a>, like TeamPassword, is essential to any business security plan. Password managers allow users to create unique, strong passwords for every account and a way to share and limit access to login credentials so that only the users who need access have access.&nbsp;
Access to your organization&rsquo;s systems isn&rsquo;t a one-size-fits-all solution&mdash;adaptive authentication creates a more streamlined and intelligent system of authentication.

<h3 id="employeeexperience">3. Improves the employee user experience</h3>
Improving your employee experience is an important part of cybersecurity awareness.
Preventing cyberattacks is a company-wide endeavor, with everyone from entry-level employees to cybersecurity experts to C-suite leaders working towards a common goal.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s easier to get everyone on board when a system makes their lives easier.&nbsp;
Intelligent access controls streamline access to systems and tools, removing unnecessary barriers to an employee&rsquo;s ability to do their job. This cuts down on frustration and wasted time, improving employee morale and productivity, while keeping security at the forefront.

<h3 id="customizable">4. Highly customizable for your business&rsquo; unique needs</h3>
Each business&rsquo; cybersecurity needs are different, and adaptive authentication offers plenty of flexibility.
Your organization can set up its own risk factors based on authentication requirements, industry standards, employee access controls, user roles, whether you&rsquo;ve conducted <a href="https://www.openlegacy.com/blog/legacy-modernization">legacy application modernization</a>, and the sensitivity of the data you handle.&nbsp;
Like we said earlier, cybersecurity isn&rsquo;t a one-size-fits-all solution. Adaptive authentication has the flexibility to suit your unique organizational needs.

<h3 id="customerssafe">5. Provides a better customer experience while keeping customers safe</h3>
When multi-factor authentication became the norm, it seemed like a perfect solution to the growing problem of weak passwords, phishing attacks, and cybersecurity breaches.
Unfortunately, MFA can be frustrating. It&rsquo;s a good solution with a sometimes clunky implementation.&nbsp;
As a customer, logging into shopping apps and websites can become exasperating. A customer inputs their login credentials and a notification pops up saying a code has been texted to their mobile device.
Then, the customer realizes their mobile phone is at the other end of the house. Or that they changed their number and forgot to update their personal details. Or that juggling the text screen and the app on their phone while trying to input a long series of digits is actually super irritating.
It&rsquo;s a frustrating customer experience.
Customers who become frustrated with MFA might simply turn off all extra security steps. This puts customers and businesses at risk of financial and&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/customer-data-security-best-practices">data losses</a>.
Adaptive authentication works to create a better system.&nbsp;
It considers risk factors such as customer location (is it different from their usual locations?) and user device (is it a device they&rsquo;ve never logged in from before?) to determine if the customer&rsquo;s login is suspicious. If the login is determined to be safe, the customer is spared multi-factor authentication.
This can help create a more streamlined customer experience.&nbsp;
It also helps to protect customers who don&rsquo;t have additional devices or pathways to set up MFA, or those who don&rsquo;t have the tech literacy to feel comfortable with MFA.&nbsp;
Adaptive authentication creates a more accessible experience for all customers while still emphasizing password security and proper authentication.
<h2><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/ODthN1V7TQ2BMmxgpMhB" alt="4.webp" width="500" height="333"></h2>
<h2 id="adaptivecanprotect">Why adaptive authentication is essential to cybersecurity</h2>
Cybersecurity is integral to modern business operations. From small businesses that use a work Wi-Fi network to global enterprises with software, social media accounts, and <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-to-manage-a-remote-digital-marketing-team">remote workers</a>, the cost of ignoring cybersecurity is high.
Cyberattacks can cause businesses financial, reputational, and legal harm. Anything you can do to tighten up your cybersecurity is a win.
Adaptive authentication is a solution with two major benefits&mdash;it strengthens your organizational security and improves the user experience.&nbsp;
Adaptive authentication can provide user-defined risk assessment to meet every business&rsquo; unique needs. It can also continue to protect your systems using AI predictive models that provide ongoing, real-time risk assessment.
Don&rsquo;t leave any weak spots in your cybersecurity systems. Implement adaptive authentication for a safer, more streamlined operation.&nbsp;

<h2 id="protectbusiness">Protect Your Business with TeamPassword's Adaptive Authentication</h2>
Now that you know what adaptive authentication is and that you need it, you may be wondering where to begin. A great place to start is by using a password manager built specifically for teams.&nbsp;
Whether you're looking to protect your business from <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-prevent-insider-threats" rel="follow">insider threats</a> or <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/third-party-data-breaches-risks" rel="follow">third-party data breaches</a>, a password manager streamlines your team's access while protecting those accounts from unauthorised users, or worse, malicious actors. Password managers, like TeamPassword, use Adaptive Authentication and fraud analytics to challenge users who log in from impossible locations, in unusual patterns, or at weird times.&nbsp;
With TeamPassword's user-friendly interface and adaptive authentication, you can rest easy knowing your business is protected. Don't believe us? <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow">Sign up for a free 14-day trial</a> today and try it yourself.

Adaptive authentication streamlines access to your business systems while protecting your organization from cyberattacks. Here's how.

Adaptive authentication can streamline access to your business systems whilst protecting your organization from cyberattacks. Here's how it ...

5 Ways Adaptive Authentication Protects Your Business

Adaptive authentication can streamline access to your business systems whilst protecting your organization from cyberattacks. Here's how it works.

5 Ways Adaptive Authentication Can Protect Your Business From Cyberattacks

Consider a typical day at a digital marketing agency. How many client and company accounts do you think you log into over the course of a day? Ten? Twenty? Amongst all the employees at a digital marketing agency, there could be hundreds of logins each day into private accounts.
That&rsquo;s why password protection for digital agencies should be a top priority and not an afterthought.
Unfortunately, many digital marketing agencies fail to follow password management best practices. Perhaps the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-state-of-the-password-problem-in-2021" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">most concerning example</a> of poor password management is that nearly <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/world-password-day-the-first-thursday-in-may" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">70% of all Americans use the same password</a> for multiple accounts, at home and at work. And when you consider that over <a href="https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/99529-3-in-4-people-at-risk-of-being-hacked-due-to-poor-password-practices" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">80% of all data breaches result from poor password</a> security, the potential for a data breach in a digital marketing agency is monumental.
For the safety and reputation of your company, as well as the security of the many client accounts accessed on a daily basis, password protection for digital agencies is a critical necessity. Thankfully, password management best practices are fairly easy to follow, and can significantly reduce the risk of a data breach.
Here are five key takeaways to act upon now:
<ul>
<li>Strong, Unique Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for each account to minimize the risk of a major data breach. Utilizing a password manager can help generate highly secure, encrypted passwords.</li>
<li>Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of protection by enabling 2FA on work accounts. This acts as a deterrent to hackers and enhances security, especially when combined with strong passwords.</li>
<li>Avoid Password Sharing: Ensure that employees do not share passwords. Each individual should have a unique password for every login or application, making it easier for IT admins to manage security and control account access.</li>
<li>Secure Wi-Fi Practices: Remote workers should secure their home Wi-Fi networks, and employees working outside the office should avoid using public Wi-Fi for logging into accounts to prevent data hijacking by hackers.</li>
<li>Use a Password Manager: Implement a password manager, like TeamPassword, to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account. Password managers simplify the process of adhering to password management best practices and enhance overall security for digital agencies.</li>
</ul>
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#stronguniquepasswords" rel="follow">Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account</a></li>
<li><a href="#enable2fa" rel="follow">Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</a></li>
<li><a href="#dontsharepasswords" rel="follow">Don&rsquo;t Share Passwords</a></li>
<li><a href="#donotaccessprivateaccounts" rel="follow">Do Not Access Private Accounts Using Public Wi-Fi</a></li>
<li><a href="#useapasswordmanager" rel="follow">Use a Password Manager</a></li>
<li><a href="#faq" rel="follow">FAQs</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Password Management Best Practices</h2>
Hackers and cybercriminals don&rsquo;t always choose random targets, and they don&rsquo;t just target large corporations as the media might make it seem. Instead, they target smaller businesses where the chances of a successful cyberattack are high. <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/top-5-security-threats-for-small-businesses" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Digital marketing agencies are at particular risk</a> and a common target due to the high number of accounts a hacker might be able to access. Hackers are relying on employees not following password management best practices. Don&rsquo;t make it easy for them.
<h3 id="stronguniquepasswords">Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account</h3>
The first defense against a major data breach is using strong, unique passwords for each account. That way, even if one account is breached, the hacker will not have the password to access additional accounts. However, it is also important to realize that even user-generated passwords can be vulnerable &mdash; in fact, a Deloitte study revealed that over <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/90-percent-of-passwords-vulnerable-to-hacking-2013-1" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">90% of user-generated passwords are still vulnerable</a> to cyberattacks.
So how can digital marketing agencies combat cyber threats? Simply by using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/">password manager</a> to generate highly secure, encrypted passwords that help keep your accounts and critical data safe. More on using password managers in a bit. First, consider the next important step in password protection for digital agencies.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/tj8gEkSCTwiowMUAocHy" alt="Built-in password generator.gif" width="573" height="436">
Built-in password generator
<h3 id="enable2fa">Enable Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)</h3>
You may have experienced <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2fa-vs-mfa" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">2FA</a> already with some of your own personal accounts. But by enabling two-factor authentication on as many work accounts as possible, you can add an extra layer of password protection for digital agencies. Accounts enabled with 2FA make data much more secure and are a major deterrent to hackers.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/DmBsCrqDTr2ShbqBusdP" alt="2FA vs MFA Venn.webp" width="299" height="299">
Understandably, employees who aren&rsquo;t apt to change their passwords much probably aren&rsquo;t going to enjoy the extra login step required by 2FA either. But when used in conjunction with a strong password, 2FA offers additional protection against other <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/five-most-common-password-attacks" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">types of password attacks</a> such as social engineering and phishing attempts as well.
<h3 id="dontsharepasswords">Don&rsquo;t Share Passwords with Anyone</h3>
Another important step in ensuring strong password protection for digital agencies is for all employees to avoid sharing passwords. Each employee should have their own unique password for every login or app. This makes it easier for IT admins to keep a good handle on security, and also ensures that only those who are authorized can access an account.
When using a tool where shared credentials are necessary, they should only be shared and accessed within an encrypted environment - i.e., a password manager.&nbsp;
<h3 id="donotaccessprivateaccounts">Do Not Access Private Accounts Using Public Wi-Fi</h3>
Much of today&rsquo;s workforce consists of <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/remote-work-isnt-just-a-trend-its-the-future" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">hybrid and remote workers</a>. Digital marketers working from home must take care to ensure that their Wi-Fi network is secure and that their systems and software are updated. Likewise, employees working in the field or while out on a lunch break must avoid using public Wi-Fi to log into accounts. It is too easy for hackers and cybercriminals to hijack data being sent over a public network.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/49dfYwKbTyycsYTZYmIu" alt="Cybercriminal intercepting data.webp" width="373" height="373">
VPNs make this safer by encrypting your data so it's harder to intercept. Understand, however, that you must trust your VPN provider - they're handling your data!
<h3 id="useapasswordmanager">Use a Password Manager</h3>
As we mentioned earlier, using a password manager serves a multitude of benefits. For starters, it eliminates the need for employees to attempt to remember a number of unique passwords. Password managers work by generating strong, unique passwords for each account, which are then stored in an encrypted account. Employees then need only remember one password to access the information in the password manager, which subsequently grants entry to the desired account.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/0gCOt5oQBCE1vxckmRZC" alt="TP extension in action GIF (video) (1).gif" width="871" height="490">
Additionally, password managers are much more adept at generating strong passwords, using a long string of random upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, as opposed to patterns that make passwords weaker.
Password managers also make it easy to change passwords for multiple accounts as often as you&rsquo;d like. That means you can have all your employee&rsquo;s passwords changed without causing a ripple in productivity while still adhering to password management best practices.
<h2 id="faq">FAQ:</h2>
<h3>Is it safe to share your password with a marketing team?</h3>
It is usually more efficient for the marketing team if you give them access to your social media accounts and other analytics they need.
Most professional social media accounts allow you to assign different roles so that you don't have to worry about a third party taking over your account (as an example, <a href="https://help.instagram.com/218638451837962" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">here's instructions for Instagram</a>).&nbsp;
<h3>What is a good password example?</h3>
For a good password, you need length, complexity, and randomness.&nbsp;
You can achieve this with a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password generator</a>, which will throw something like this: G'P3Ks}Ndklb^"Tl*A?"%-oQ,G$UNee]
If you need to memorize the password, you can create a passphrase. The most common way is to combine three to five random or meaningful-to-you words together with some symbols thrown in: cookie-algebra-562024-f!@tball
When going the passphrase right, length is important. If the account limits you to 12 or 16 characters, you're better off using the password generator.&nbsp;
<h2>How TeamPassword Can Help</h2>
TeamPassword is a business-oriented password manager specially designed to solve many of the security threats that small businesses and digital marketing agencies face daily.
The biggest challenge, of course, is managing passwords and providing secure access to team members. TeamPassword solves these challenges and more with flexible password management to suit the size of your teams and your business.&nbsp;
Protect your agency today with&nbsp;<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword's free 14-day trial</a>!
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Password protection for digital agencies is essential as hackers continue to target businesses that work with multiple client accounts.

Password protection for digital agencies is more important than ever as hackers continue to target businesses working with ...

Password Protection Best Practices | TeamPassword

Password protection for digital agencies is more important than ever as hackers continue to target businesses working with multiple business and client accounts.

Password Protection Best Practices for Digital Agencies

Sharing passwords with coworkers requires a higher level of security to avoid data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Teams need a safe way to share their passwords without disrupting their workflow. In a world online, not having the password to an account can mean being unable to work!
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#howtosecurely" rel="follow">How to Securely Share Passwords With Your Team</a></li>
<li><a href="#challenges" rel="follow">The Challenges of Sharing Passwords</a></li>
<li><a href="#avoid" rel="follow">Password Sharing Methods to Avoid</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="howtosecurely">How to Securely Share Passwords With Your Team</h2>
<h3>1. Use a Reputable Password Manager</h3>
Using a reputable password manager designed for team collaboration is one of the most secure ways to share passwords.
Why?
Password managers offer robust encryption and access controls, and allow teammates to access the passwords&nbsp;while remaining in&nbsp;the secured environment.
With a password manager, you can create a centralized vault for all your team's passwords, making it easy to share and manage access on a need-to-know basis.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/Ssg37yGhQyCmXKMf72x7" alt="undefined" width="738" height="440">
Why It's Secure:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Password managers use strong encryption algorithms to protect your data, making it virtually impossible for unauthorized parties to decipher passwords.</li>
<li>Access controls in password managers allow you to specify who can view, edit, or share specific passwords, ensuring that sensitive credentials are only available to the right team members.</li>
<li>Password managers often offer features like two-factor authentication (2FA) and secure sharing mechanisms, adding an extra layer of protection to your team's password vault.</li>
</ul>
<h3>2. Implement Role-Based Access Control</h3>
Adopting a role-based access control (RBAC) system within your password manager provides an additional security layer. By assigning different roles and access privileges to team members based on their job responsibilities, you can limit the exposure of sensitive credentials. Only those who require access to specific passwords will have the permission to view and use them.
Why It's Secure:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>RBAC ensures that team members only have access to the passwords they need to perform their duties, reducing the attack surface and potential insider threats.</li>
<li>By compartmentalizing access, the impact of a compromised account is limited, as attackers cannot access the entire password vault.</li>
</ul>
<h3>3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</h3>
Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your password manager. With 2FA, team members must provide a second authentication factor (like a one-time code sent to their phone) in addition to their master password, making it significantly more challenging for unauthorized individuals to gain access.
Why It's Secure:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>2FA prevents unauthorized access, even if someone discovers or steals a team member's master password.</li>
<li>It reduces the risk of successful brute-force attacks on the password manager.</li>
</ul>
<h3>4. Long, unique passwords for every account</h3>
What's the point of Role-based Access (only give someone what they need) if a password is reused?&nbsp;
Use your password manager's built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password generator</a> to generate long and unique passwords for every account.&nbsp;
If you need to memorize the password, we recommend&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-build-a-passphrase#:~:text=How%20to%20Create%20a%20Strong%20Passphrase" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">using a passphrase</a>.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/tj8gEkSCTwiowMUAocHy" alt="Built-in password generator.gif" width="369" height="281">
Why It's Secure:
<ul>
<li>If a service you use gets breached, your password could be stolen. Using unique passwords for each account contains the damage.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Teammates won't inadvertently have the password to an account they shouldn't</li>
</ul>
<h3>5. Educate Team Members about Password Security</h3>
Provide ongoing education and training to your team about password security best practices. Emphasize the importance of using strong, unique passwords, avoiding password reuse, and never sharing passwords through insecure channels.
Why It's Secure:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Well-informed team members are more likely to follow security protocols and maintain good password hygiene.</li>
<li>Increased awareness helps prevent accidental security breaches and reduces the likelihood of falling victim to phishing attempts.</li>
</ul>
Approach cybersecurity training in a way that de-escalates feelings of overwhelm or incompetence. This video of an artist explaining basic cybersecurity is a great place to start.&nbsp;
<iframe width="560" height="314" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wBgWJFVt2RI" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
In conclusion, securely sharing passwords with your team is crucial to maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information. By using a reputable password manager with RBAC and 2FA features, implementing password rotation policies, and educating team members, you can significantly enhance the security of your team's password management practices. These measures will help safeguard your valuable data and protect your organization from potential cybersecurity threats.
<h2 id="challenges">The Challenges of Sharing Passwords&nbsp;</h2>
Individuals working with teams know there are challenges involved with sharing passwords, even though it's essential to get projects completed.
Your team needs a way to provide those passwords to others authorized to gain access to work on jobs and projects and prevent others who aren't from logging in.
Many industries face this security concern and need innovative solutions to solve this problem. Some industries that need to share passwords include the following.
<ul>
<li>Tech companies</li>
<li>Digital marketing agencies</li>
<li>Software design and development companies&nbsp;</li>
<li>Creative agencies</li>
</ul>
For example, a marketing team working remotely on a project together needs access to the information to complete projects; however, the project contains sensitive information and data about a client.
You don't want someone to gain access to this information but still have a user-friendly method for providing the passwords.
In this instance, you need a reliable and secure method for passing along passwords to team members without sacrificing user-friendly methods.
<h3>Security Concerns&nbsp;</h3>
A top security concern should be sharing&nbsp;<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passwords</a>&nbsp;safely. You can have great IT security and still have weak points within your company because of user errors.
For example, some coworkers write passwords or send them via text or apps. This is a dangerous practice that can spell disaster.
Sharing passwords through any physical or verbal means may also leave this information subject to theft.
Without using a secure vehicle for sharing passwords, cybercriminals have the advantage, and they can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teampassword.com/blog/have-i-been-hacked-how-to-know-for-sure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hack</a>&nbsp;your team or private account.
Some of the worst&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teampassword.com/blog/the-scariest-data-breaches-of-all-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data breaches</a>&nbsp;of all time have happened to seemingly secure companies and work teams. Don't let this happen to your company or workgroup.
<h2 id="avoid">Password Sharing Methods to Avoid</h2>
<h3>1. Email Communication</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Email communication is not secure and can be easily intercepted or accessed by unauthorized individuals, leading to potential password leaks.</li>
<li>Email is transmitted over the internet in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception at various points along the transmission path. Additionally, email accounts can be compromised through phishing attacks or weak passwords, giving attackers access to the password-sharing emails. Once intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties, the passwords become exposed and can be used to gain unauthorized access to sensitive accounts and data.</li>
</ul>
<h3>2. Messaging Apps</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Messaging apps may lack end-to-end encryption, making passwords vulnerable to interception during transit or storage.</li>
<li>While some messaging apps offer encryption, not all of them provide end-to-end encryption. Without end-to-end encryption, the passwords shared through these apps could be intercepted by hackers, service providers, or other parties with access to the communication channels or servers. Moreover, messages containing passwords might be saved on the devices used for communication, leaving them susceptible to unauthorized access if the device is lost or stolen.</li>
</ul>
<h3>3. Written/Physical Notes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sharing passwords through written or physical notes increases the risk of loss, theft, or accidental exposure, compromising security.</li>
<li>Physical notes can easily be misplaced, lost, or stolen, providing a direct route to the sensitive information they contain. Additionally, leaving passwords written on sticky notes or notepads in plain sight can lead to accidental exposure if unauthorized individuals have access to the physical workspace.</li>
</ul>
<h3>4. Shared Spreadsheets or Documents</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Shared spreadsheets or documents can be accessed by multiple individuals, increasing the potential for unauthorized access to passwords.</li>
<li>Storing passwords in shared spreadsheets or documents without proper access controls means that anyone with access to the file can view the passwords. It becomes challenging to track who has accessed or modified the passwords, making it difficult to identify potential security breaches or insider threats.</li>
</ul>
<h3>5. Verbal Communication</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sharing passwords verbally is prone to human error and can be easily overheard, leading to unauthorized access.</li>
<li>Verbal communication of passwords introduces the risk of mistakes, such as mishearing or forgetting the password. Additionally, sharing passwords verbally in open or public spaces can expose them to eavesdroppers, compromising security.</li>
</ul>
<h3>6. Using Personal Accounts</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sharing passwords through personal accounts (e.g., personal email) lacks proper access controls and jeopardizes sensitive data.</li>
<li>Using personal accounts for sharing passwords does not offer the same level of security as business or team-oriented platforms. Personal accounts might not have multi-factor authentication or proper audit trails, making it difficult to monitor and control access to shared passwords.</li>
</ul>
<h3>7. Plain Text Messages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sending passwords in plain text over any platform exposes them to interception or unauthorized access.</li>
<li>Plain text messages do not provide any encryption, meaning the passwords are transmitted in clear, readable text. This exposes them to potential interception by hackers or malicious software, especially when transmitted over unsecured networks.</li>
</ul>
<h3>8. Generic or Weak Passwords</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sharing generic or weak passwords among team members increases the risk of unauthorized access and compromises overall security.</li>
<li>Generic or weak passwords are easy targets for brute-force attacks and social engineering attempts. If shared among team members, attackers who gain access to one password could potentially compromise multiple accounts.</li>
</ul>
<h3>9. No Access Revocation Mechanism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Failing to revoke access to shared passwords when no longer needed leaves credentials exposed and vulnerable to misuse.</li>
<li>As team members change roles or leave the organization, it's essential to revoke their access to shared passwords. Without proper access management, former employees or individuals who no longer require access might retain it, increasing the risk of unauthorized access.</li>
</ul>
<h3>10. No Password Rotation Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Neglecting to change shared passwords regularly allows potential intruders more time to exploit any discovered credentials.</li>
<li>Regular password rotation is essential for reducing the window of opportunity for attackers. If passwords are rarely changed, the risk of unauthorized access increases over time, especially if an insider or external threat manages to gain access to the shared passwords.</li>
</ul>
<h3>11. Shared Web Browsers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Using shared web browsers with saved passwords exposes sensitive information to all users of that browser profile.</li>
<li>When multiple individuals share a web browser with saved passwords, anyone using the browser can access the stored credentials. This lack of access controls can lead to unauthorized use of the passwords and compromise the security of the accounts they protect.</li>
</ul>
To maintain a robust security posture, it is crucial for teams to avoid these risky password-sharing methods. Instead, adopt secure password management tools, enforce strict access controls, and educate team members about the importance of password security.
<h2>How to Get Started&nbsp;</h2>
The best way to get started is to work with a proven leader in the field of password protection. Reach out to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teampassword.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TeamPassword</a>&nbsp;to find out how they can provide you and your team with the tools and security you need to avoid data breaches and leaks, either from sharing passwords or user error.
Get a competitive service that hashes, salts, and encrypts your sensitive passwords and then transmits them securely where no one but the intended party can have access.
<h3>Proven Results&nbsp;</h3>
TeamPassword provides users with a high level of&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/security" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">security</a> and encryption to prevent others from gaining access to your work platforms or data files.
They provide a customized solution for teams in all levels of business to allow them to quickly, safely, and securely share passwords to only those individuals who are authorized and absolutely no one else.
To get more information or details about this essential solution for teams and projects, check out the <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">product tour</a> on the website. You can also get&nbsp;access to 2-step verification, unique passwords, activity and logging, and email alerts all on one streamlined platform that makes working securely with other team members easier and safe when you sign up for the&nbsp;<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">free trial</a>.

Sharing passwords with coworkers requires a higher level of security. Learn how TeamPassword can help you with keeping your passwords safe.

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Password encryption is essential to store user credentials stored in a database securely. Without password encryption, anyone accessing a user database on a company's servers (including hackers) could easily view any stored passwords.
Even a strong 32-character password created using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">secure password generator</a> is useless without password-encryption! If someone can read your password on a server, they can use it simply by copy/pasting it&mdash;no matter how long or complicated the password might be!
Encryption scrambles your password before saving it on the server. So, if someone hacks the server, instead of finding password123, they find a random series of letters and numbers.
In this article, we're going to explore the world of password encryption, why <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password">strong passwords matter</a>, and how you can practice better password management!
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> is the password management solution for small businesses! Create, store, and share login credentials safely with employees, contractors, and clients. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today!
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#understandingpasswordencryption" rel="follow">Understanding Password Encryption</a></li>
<li><a href="#howdoespasswordencryptionwork" rel="follow">How Does Password Encryption Work?</a></li>
<li><a href="#5commonpasswordencryptionmethods" rel="follow">5 Common Password Encryption Methods</a></li>
<li><a href="#whystrongpasswordsmatter" rel="follow">Why Strong Passwords Matter</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="understandingpasswordencryption">Understanding Password Encryption</h2>
To explain password encryption effectively, we must first grasp the language. Several terms might be unfamiliar, so here is a quick intro to password encryption terminology.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Key: Used to lock and unlock passwords using a random string of bits. You get private and public keys that crypt and decrypt data differently, but we won't get too deep in the weeds with keys!</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Bits: A logical state with one of two possible values, including 1/0, true/false, yes/no, or on/off as typical examples.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Block (block cipher): A deterministic algorithm operating on fixed-length groups of bits, called blocks.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hash function: The algorithm that uses the key to create password encryption and decryption. A hash function is essentially a piece of code that runs every time someone saves a password or logs into an application.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hash: A random series of numbers and letters representing your password. The hash function uses your hash instead of the raw password for authentication.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Salt: Additional letters and numbers appended to the hash</li>
</ul>
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2 id="howdoespasswordencryptionwork">How Does Password Encryption Work?</h2>
When you save a new password, a hash function creates a hash version and saves that on the server.&nbsp;
Every time you log in using your password, the hash function recreates the hash to see if it matches what's stored. If the hashes match, the algorithm passes the authentication and logs you in.&nbsp;
For example:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Original password: Pa$$w0rd123</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hashed password: 6AF1CE202340​FE71BDB914AD5357​E33A6982A63B</li>
</ul>
While this might seem secure, simple hashed passwords aren't hack-proof.
The hash function only creates a unique hash for each password, not each user. So, if multiple users have the password, Pa$$w0rd123, the hash will be exactly the same.
To overcome this encryption vulnerability, engineers salt passwords so each hash is unique, even if the passwords are identical.
<h3>How Salt Works</h3>
A salt appends a unique value of 8 bytes (16 characters) to the password before the hash function creates a hash. This way, even identical passwords are unique before the hash function.
For example:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Two identical passwords: Pa$$w0rd123</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Salt value one: E1F53135E559C253</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Salt value two: 84B03D034B409D4E</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password one before hash: Pa$$w0rd123E1F53135E559C253</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password two before hash: Pa$$w0rd12384B03D034B409D4E</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password one hashed value (SHA256): 72AE25495A7981​C40622D49F9A52E4F15​65C90F048F59027BD9​C8C8900D5C3D8</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password two hashed value (SHA256): B4B6603ABC670​967E99C7E7F1389E40​CD16E78AD38EB1468E​C2AA1E62B8BED3A</li>
</ul>
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2 id="5commonpasswordencryptionmethods">5 Common Password Encryption Methods</h2>
<h3>1. Data Encryption Standard (DES)</h3>
While applications no longer use Data Encryption Standard (DES), it's important to mention this password encryption method because of its history and influence on more secure modern standards.
IBM developed DES as a 56-bit encryption technology in the early 1970s. The NSA adopted and improved DES before it was approved worldwide as the encryption standard.
However, since the late 70s, hackers have been able to break DES encrypted passwords. In 1999, ethical hackers managed to break a DES key in under 24 hours.&nbsp;
To make DES more secure, engineers created Triple DES and later Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which we still use today.
<h3>2. Triple DES</h3>
Triple DES uses three 56-bit keys (blocks) to create 168-bit encryption (some security experts argue that Triple DES is only 112 bits strong). Although Triple-DES is slowly being phased out, many financial institutions still use it to encrypt ATM PINs.
<h3>3. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)</h3>
AES is the new encryption standard&mdash;trusted by the United States Government and many other prominent organizations globally. At 128 bits, AES is sufficiently secure, but most organizations prefer heavy-duty 256-bit encryption.
At <a href="https://teampassword.com/security">TeamPassword</a>, we use 256-bit encryption to store passwords, ensuring the highest levels of security for our clients. We're also a <a href="https://teampassword.com/security">secure hosting provider</a> holding multiple security accreditations.
Hackers can only break an AES encrypted password through a brute-force attack&mdash;trying password combinations to find the right one.
To counter brute-force attacks, applications will lock an account after a certain number of attempts or use tools like Google's reCAPTURE.
<h3>4. Blowfish</h3>
American cryptographer, Bruce Schneier, designed Blowfish in 1993 as an antidote to the weak DES encryption. Blowfish uses a 64-bit block and variable key length of 32 to 448 bits.
Although Blowfish is more robust than its DES predecessor, the 64-bit block is still vulnerable to attacks, most commonly birthday attacks&mdash;a cryptographic attack that exploits the mathematics behind the algorithm.
To solve Blowfish vulnerabilities, engineers created Twofish in 1998 (128-bit blocks with 256-bit keys) and Threefish in 2008 (256, 516, 1024-bit blocks with 256, 516, 1024-bit keys).
<h3>5. Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA)</h3>
RSA is one of the oldest and widely used to transfer data securely. The encryption works with two keys, two large prime numbers, and an additional auxiliary value.
Due to the complicated encrypting and decrypting process, there is no known method for breaking RSA encryption.&nbsp;
Although widely used for transferring data, RSA is slow and not suitable for password encryption.
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<h2 id="whystrongpasswordsmatter">Why Strong Passwords Matter</h2>
Password encryption can only prevent criminals from viewing saved credentials stored on a server&mdash;but cannot prevent hackers from guessing weak/commonly used passwords. If you <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/colonial-pipeline-ransomware-attack-dont-reuse-passwords">reuse the same password for multiple accounts</a>, this also puts you at risk!
Encryption is most effective when users create robust, unique passwords for every account. For example, a random 32-character password with letters, numbers, and special characters hashed and salted is near impossible to guess or decode, even using a computer!
In another scenario, let's assume you have a strong 32-character password, but you use it for every account. If hackers manage to steal that password, they have access to every account using the same credentials! Your strong password is effectively useless.
<h3>Improving Your Password Management</h3>
Now that you understand password encryption and the associated vulnerabilities, you can see why strong passwords are essential.
Effective password management is crucial to protect yourself against cyberattacks or in the highly likely event of a data breach where hackers steal your credentials.
Criminals are after the low-hanging fruit&mdash;people who use weak passwords!
5 tips for creating stronger passwords:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Create strong passwords for every account. The easiest way to do this is using a password generator. <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">TeamPassword has a free password generator</a> anyone can use to create passwords from 12-32 characters using uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. We recommend creating passwords as long as the application will allow.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Never create passwords shorter than eight characters, with 12 being our recommended minimum.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Never reuse the same password for multiple accounts.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Never create passwords with your name, family member's names, or pet's names. With social media, this information is freely available. Criminals can add those names to algorithms for brute-force attacks.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Don't store passwords in digital notepads or spreadsheets. We recommend using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager like TeamPassword</a> to create and store your credentials.</li>
</ol>
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<h2>Why You Need a Password Manager like TeamPassword</h2>
We have so many accounts these days; it's almost impossible to create unique, memorable, secure passwords for each one. A password manager solves this problem.
Instead of remembering the credentials for every account, you only need to memorize the one to log into your password manager.&nbsp;
TeamPassword keeps all of your credentials safely stored and encrypted, so you never have to memorize a password again. Instead of entering your credentials, you use one of TeamPassword's browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, and Safari) to log into accounts.
<h3>Built for Teams</h3>
TeamPassword's best feature is its ability to share credentials with team members securely. Instead of sharing passwords, you provide access through TeamPassword.&nbsp;
Employees <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">use TeamPassword</a> to log in, meaning you never share raw passwords&mdash;no more worrying about unauthorized access or sharing.
You can create groups in TeamPassword to share access with employees, clients, contractors, and freelancers. When someone no longer needs access, remove them from the group with a single click. No need to change passwords every time someone leaves a project!
<h3>Built-In Password Generator</h3>
TeamPassword features a built-in secure password manager so you can create robust passwords for every account. TeamPassword also ensures you never reuse the same credentials so that you won't fall victim to credential stuffing attacks!
With a built-in password generator, you can change passwords regularly, and TeamPassword will update the new credentials for all users!
<h3>Monitor Login Activity</h3>
TeamPassword's activity log keeps track of every action across all of your accounts&mdash;logins, password changes, new team members, sharing access, and more.
You can also set up email notifications for all TeamPassword actions so that you can react fast to any suspicious activity.
<h3>Get Your Free TeamPassword Trial</h3>
Password encryption is not enough to protect your business from password vulnerabilities! You need a robust password manager like TeamPassword to create, store, and share credentials securely.
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<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> and let TeamPassword secure your company's digital assets.

Password encryption is the number one component of password security. TeamPassword encrypts passwords with state-of-the-art technology to keep passwords safe.

Password encryption is the number one component of password security. TeamPassword encrypts passwords with state-of-the-art technology to keep ...

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