See the best way to come up with a new username. We break down types of usernames and give you the best username ideas out there.

See the best way to come up with a new username. We break down types of usernames, why ...

How to Make a Good Username | Create a Unique and Secure Username

See the best way to come up with a new username. We break down types of usernames, why secure usernames are important, and how to create them effectively!

Passkeys are a new way of signing in to your online accounts with a biometric sensor or PIN, eliminating the need for passwords. They are predicted to dethrone passwords as the most popular form of identity verification in the coming years.&nbsp;
It's time you learn how passkeys work!
Passkeys can be hard to wrap your head around. There's a good bit of magic happening behind the scenes that goes beyond the scope of this article. In the Technical Overview section, I've linked to several resources that will help you understand passkeys from an implementation perspective.&nbsp;
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#whatispasskey" rel="follow">What Is Passkey Technology?</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#howpasskeyswork" rel="follow">How Passkeys Work: A Technical Overview</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#passkeyloginexamples" rel="follow">Passkey Login Examples</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#passkeyvspasswordauthentication" rel="follow">Passkeys vs. Passwords: The Authentication Process</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#howtoimplement" rel="follow">How to Implement Passkey Technology</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="whatispasskey">What Is Passkey Technology?</h2>
Multi-device FIDO credentials, commonly known and advertised as passkeys, had their earliest iterations decades ago as hardware security keys like smart cards. These hardware solutions required specialized readers and were expensive to deploy and maintain, and never achieved ubiquity in consumer security.&nbsp;
In 2015, the <a href="https://fidoalliance.org/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">FIDO Alliance</a>, a group of industry leaders whose goal is to "help reduce the world&rsquo;s over-reliance on passwords," developed and published a set of specifications for phishing-resistant authentication mechanisms. By 2020, most browsers had implemented the WebAuthn specification, which eliminated the need for special hardware and paved the way for relying parties (websites/applications) and platform vendors like Apple and Google to bring passkey technology to the average consumer.&nbsp;
With Apple syncing your passkeys through its iCloud Keychain and Google doing the same with its password manager, and with passkey storage/syncing just around the corner for third-party password managers, the last roadblock for passkeys is being eliminated.&nbsp;
You can now use the biometric or PIN that unlocks your phone to sign in to any compatible website. Your passkeys cannot be phished, guessed, or brute-forced - a threat actor would need both your physical device and the PIN or biometrics to unlock it.&nbsp;
<h2 id="howpasskeyswork">How Passkeys Work: A Technical Overview</h2>
Unless I were to turn this blog into a treatise on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-key_cryptography" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">public key cryptography</a>, device security (such as&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_execution_environment" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Trusted Execution Environments</a>), and the history of Authentication in general - none of which I'm qualified to do - I can't truly give a technical explanation of passkeys. If you wish to understand passkeys at that depth, you may be better served by the <a href="https://media.fidoalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/How-FIDO-Addresses-a-Full-Range-of-Use-Cases-March24.pdf" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">FIDO Alliance whitepaper</a>&nbsp;or peruse their library of whitepapers <a href="https://fidoalliance.org/content/white-paper/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;
In <a href="https://auth0.com/blog/our-take-on-passkeys/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">this excellent review of passkeys by Vittoria Bertocci</a>, we learn how the FIDO2 specification allows passkey implementation: "...by using the Javascript API defined in the WebAuthn specification, developers can leverage either hardware keys (e.g., YubiKeys) or secure hardware on the device (e.g., secure elements on your phone, TPMs on your laptop) gated by biometric sensors to authenticate users without using passwords."&nbsp;
Additionally, Apple's <a href="https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10670/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">15-minute video introducing passkeys for developers</a> explains important concepts - you can watch the full video or read the transcript.&nbsp;


<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/xSMibgN5QsSyT3DVRZQq" alt="undefined" width="409" height="448">
Credit: <a href="https://fidoalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/How-FIDO-Addresses-a-Full-Range-of-Use-Cases-March24.pdf" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">FIDO Alliance whitepaper</a> on multi-device FIDO credentials
<h2 id="passkeyloginexamples">Passkey Login Examples</h2>
Note:&nbsp;Below is just one example of creating and logging in with passkeys. The process looks different depending on the website/application you're signing in to, the device you're signing in from, and whether or not you use one platform vendor's ecosystem or several (Google, Microsoft, Apple etc).&nbsp;&nbsp;
For this example, I'm using the demo at <a href="https://www.passkeys.io/">https://www.passkeys.io/</a>.
First, I'm signing up on a Pixel 4A running Android 13.&nbsp;
Since it's my first time logging in, I'm asked to create an account using my email address.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/Wspirk2tQqGOy2bjXA3R" alt="undefined" width="294" height="374">

Next, I'm asked to save a passkey.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/JesHzofhRvO9omSKqzpq" alt="undefined" width="282" height="186">
By tapping "Save a passkey," I prompt my device to display its own popup confirming that I really want to save a passkey. This popup looks different depending on your platform vendor (Macbook, Android smartphone, etc.).&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/LqjPYDzURQWg6M6J3yjC" alt="undefined" width="262" height="406">

Tapping continue displays a prompt to confirm passkey creation by unlocking my device with my fingerprint or PIN. Doing so authorizes the creation of a public/private cryptographic key pair. The private key is stored on your device, and the public key is stored by the relying party - in this case, passkeys.io.&nbsp;
I touch my fingerprint sensor and am instantly logged into passkeys.io. Account setup is complete.
The device on which I created the private key will now take care of roaming - more on that in a moment.&nbsp;
That's it!
Well - not quite.
It's pretty sweet that I didn't have to create, remember, or save a password. The trade-off is that I've only authorized this specific device to sign in to this account - or, if syncing is enabled, other Android devices synced to the same Google account.&nbsp;
Now, I need to log in on my Macbook.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>On the passkeys.io homepage, I select "Sign in with a passkey."&nbsp;</li>
<li>Selecting "Use a different phone or tablet" displays a QR code (if Bluetooth isn't on, your devices will ask permission to turn it on).</li>
<li>I scan the QR code with my phone.</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/73UpITpNSTSO9jQOVPpw" alt="Screenshot 2023-08-28 at 4.27.36 PM.webp" width="283" height="284" style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/KjyQiIAQSQmjgmT9Sk0G" alt="undefined" width="281" height="512">
<ul>
<li>This initiates a Bluetooth handshake.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Note: The passkey authentication ceremony is not done over Bluetooth. Bluetooth is used to confirm that the devices are geographically near each other. This thwarts remote phishing attempts and a host of other remote attacks.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Once this virtual handshake has taken place and the devices agree that they're close to one another, they go to an authorized verification server to authorize the new device.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Note: The private key on device 1 (Android smartphone, in my case) is not transferred to device 2 (Macbook). Device 1 has simply confirmed that device 2 is in close proximity and performs a passkey authentication ceremony to allow device 2 to log in.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Optimally, the website would automatically ask if I want to create a passkey for this new device - but it's up to the website (relying party). On passkeys.io, I need to click + Add a passkey to create a passkey on the Macbook so I can log in without my phone.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/0aKqd6k8QoKmrdjXZCtC" alt="undefined" width="337" height="267">
When I sign in to passkeys.io on my Macbook, I can now do so with my fingerprint or device password.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/3GtshXT0aFlnwhgYArrQ" alt="Screenshot 2023-08-28 at 4.34.19 PM.webp" width="285" height="336">
This screenshot drives home the point that passkey security = device security
If your device does not have a passkey and cannot set it up (or you choose not too), an alternative authentication method is provided such as a one-time code to your email. Security is then dependent on your email's security.&nbsp;
Lastly, I'd like to point out a side-effect of public-private cryptography. While you can delete your account on the website or application, this only deletes your public key. Your device doesn't know that its public key pair has been deleted, so when you sign in, you will be prompted to "Use saved passkey." However, selecting this option and verifying with your fingerprint causes the sign-in form to say, "This passkey cannot be used anymore." You need to delete your private keys separately.
<h3>Device-bound passkeys vs. synced passkeys</h3>
Apple and Google support syncing passkeys within their ecosystem. As you can read on Apple's memo <a href="https://developer.apple.com/passkeys/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">here</a>, this greatly increases convenience while placing the security of your private cryptographic key in Apple's hands.&nbsp;
If you don't want this, you can disable passkey syncing and use the alternative method of turning on Bluetooth to confirm proximity and authorizing a new device to create its own passkey, thus adding a new device to the list of those that can log into the given account.&nbsp;
<h2 id="passkeyvspasswordauthentication">Passkeys vs. Passwords: The Authentication Process</h2>
With passwords, anyone with your password can log into your account.*
With passkeys, anyone with your physical device and the ability to unlock that device (through PIN, pattern, or biometrics) can log in to your account.&nbsp;
Because the private key is device-based and invisible, phishing is impossible.&nbsp;

*Additional safeguards in the form of various Multi-factor Authentication technologies have been created to bolster the inherent weaknesses of passwords, but <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2022-uber-breach#:~:text=How%20did%20the%20Uber%20breach%20happen%3F" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">these also have their pitfalls</a>.&nbsp;
<h2 id="howtoimplement">How to Implement Passkey Technology</h2>
As a consumer, you are at the mercy of the website or application. Old devices may not support passkey technology. The app/website will recognize this and won't offer to create a passkey.&nbsp;
As Android 14 rolls out in September 2023, third-party password managers will be able to store and sync your passkeys.
Currently, Google Password Manager syncs passkeys between your Android devices that are signed into the same Google account.&nbsp;
For Apple, the iCloud Keychain takes care of syncing your passkeys.&nbsp;
With both ecosystems, syncing can be turned on and off.&nbsp;
<h3>Implementing passkey technology as a developer</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fidoalliance.org/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">FIDO Alliance</a>: The Fast Identity Online (FIDO) Alliance provides open standards for strong authentication. Their resources include specifications and guides for implementing passwordless and passkey-based authentication.</li>
<li>Online Development Communities: Platforms like Stack Overflow, Reddit's r/programming, and GitHub discussions offer spaces for developers to ask questions, share experiences, and seek guidance on implementing passkey technology.</li>
<li><a href="https://fidoalliance.org/specifications/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">FIDO 2 Specifications (including WebAuthn)</a>: A great page to get started learning the necessary specifications. Has a link to download the full specifications.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Implementing passkey technology requires a blend of understanding user needs, cryptography principles, and security best practices.
<h3>Boost Password Security With TeamPassword</h3>
Passkeys are not yet universally supported, so password security deserves your attention. If you share passwords with colleagues and need an easy, secure, and cost-effective way to do so, <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">try TeamPassword</a>. If you have questions, <a href="https://teampassword.com/support" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">reach out to our support team</a> - we're happy to hear from you.&nbsp;
TeamPassword focuses on frictionless implementation, <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">ease of use</a>, <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">security</a>, and exceptional customer support.
Need proof? Read what <a href="https://www.g2.com/products/teampassword/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">our customers are saying about us on G2</a>.&nbsp;

Passkey technology will eventually replace the passwords we use today. But how does the technology work? Learn about passkeys and the tech behind them here.

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Have you ever wished you could log in to your favorite websites without having to remember or type a password? One way to make this happen is through magic links. Magic links are a simple way to authenticate users with just their email address.&nbsp;
<h2>What are Magic Links?</h2>
Magic links are a way to sign into an account without a password. The process is similar to what happens when you click Forgot Password.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Enter your email address in the sign-in form</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Click Sign-in with Email (or Send Magic Link - wording varies)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Check your email, and click the link or enter the code to sign in</li>
</ol>
You&rsquo;re now signed in! Links are for one-time use and typically expire after a certain amount of time. In the case of magic codes, such as what Slack uses in the example below, the code only works for the browser session that sent the request. If you close that window and go to sign in again, it will send you a new code.&nbsp;
Slack is one of the leading platforms that adopted magic links (or codes).&nbsp;&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/8NJhm77qT0aR0oKuvVcQ" alt="undefined" width="749" height="472">
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/L3beNaQRiapg2LqALQc1" alt="undefined" width="606" height="494">
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/xGFZviPQyWBPItsUl0WO" alt="undefined" width="609" height="402">
Why would a company have its customers use magic links instead of passwords to sign in?&nbsp;
You probably have over 100 online accounts. You&rsquo;ve been told they should each have a unique, complex password. Without a password manager, however, it&rsquo;s impossible to create secure passwords for every online service. 
Given how many free and easy-to-use password managers are out there, there&rsquo;s no excuse not to use one. But developers can&rsquo;t force their customers to download password managers and practice good password hygiene.&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s where magic links come in.&nbsp;
The goal is to make customers&rsquo; bad password habits a non-issue and eliminate frustrating &ldquo;forgot password&rdquo; experiences along the way.
Do magic links succeed?
<h2>Are magic links better than passwords?</h2>
While magic links have become more popular, they are far from being universally adopted. Let&rsquo;s examine some pros and cons of magic links.&nbsp;
Pros:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The customer doesn&rsquo;t have to manage a password. That means no trying until you get locked out, no need to change it every 90 days, no password resets, and no getting hacked because you used that one password you use on every other account.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Easier troubleshooting for support. If the user didn&rsquo;t get their magic link by email, they either entered the wrong email, or the magic link went to spam (or was blocked entirely). In any case, support won&rsquo;t have to listen to claims that &ldquo;the correct password isn&rsquo;t working.&rdquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Only relies on the customer having a properly secured email. Many people <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-often-should-you-change-your-password-the-importance-of-password-safety" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">reuse passwords</a>, and you can&rsquo;t force them to use a password manager or generator. A time-bound, one-time-use link negates the danger of credential stuffing attacks, whereby a cybercriminal uses one password on a bunch of accounts in the hopes that it will unlock multiple things. It also eliminates the danger of phishing attacks where the criminal tricks the victim into giving up an essential piece of information.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Cons:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">An inverse to the above &ldquo;pro&rdquo;: magic links are only as secure as the user&rsquo;s email. If a cybercriminal manages to hack the customer&rsquo;s email, it&rsquo;s over. Customers should use two-factor authentication, a strong, unique password, and ensure they know what devices have access to their email and where those devices are.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Relies on the security of the network. If the customer uses unsecured wifi, a cybercriminal can use a man-in-the-middle attack to intercept the session token.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Frustrating experience if things go wrong. The magic link could go to spam or take minutes to show up. If you&rsquo;re logging in on a device where your email isn&rsquo;t signed in, you&rsquo;ll have to go do that - which might mean needing your phone for 2FA.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Just like with passwords, admins cannot control who the link or code is shared with, or how.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>Are magic links secure?</h2>
Like with every security measure, its effectiveness depends on how it&rsquo;s used. While magic links eliminate specific cybersecurity issues intrinsic to passwords (such as phishing and credential stuffing attacks), they shift the burden of security to the customer&rsquo;s email. And the security of your email is closely tied to your <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/stop-cybercriminals-in-their-tracks-with-these-5-password-hygiene-tips" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password hygiene</a>, so a magic link won&rsquo;t save you if you don&rsquo;t practice good password habits. Anyone using magic links should:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Use a secure email provider and enable 2FA.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Check activity logs to make sure only recognized devices have access to your email and make sure you&rsquo;re notified when new devices sign in.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Only use encrypted networks.</li>
</ol>
On the positive side, no stolen password from another account will get a cybercriminal past the magic link (unless they&rsquo;ve hacked your email), and there&rsquo;s no point in them trying to phish your password away (unless they phish your email password).&nbsp;
Magic link security is also dependent on how it is set up. Here are some ways a developer can program their magic links to increase the security of the sign-in process:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Magic links or codes only work once (this is pretty standard)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Links and codes expire after a short amount of time</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The link must be opened on the same browser where it was requested</li>
</ul>
Some of these features come at the cost of potential friction in the user experience. What if the customer&rsquo;s magic link email doesn&rsquo;t arrive instantly? What if their email is signed in on a different computer than the one they&rsquo;re trying to use the application on? Security and ease of use are in constant tension.&nbsp;
<h2>Magic Link Alternatives</h2>
<h3>Single Sign-On (SSO)</h3>
Single sign-on (SSO) is a system that allows users to log in to multiple applications or websites with one set of credentials. Users only need to authenticate once with a trusted identity provider, and then they can access all the services that are connected to the SSO system. SSO can simplify user management, reduce password fatigue, and enhance security.
<h3>Passwords + Multi-factor Authentication (MFA or 2FA)</h3>
While several prominent companies have adopted magic links over passwords, most online accounts still require a password.&nbsp;
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a technique that requires users to provide two or more pieces of evidence to prove their identity. The evidence can be something the user knows (such as a password or a PIN), something the user has (such as a phone or a token), or something the user is (such as a fingerprint or a face scan). MFA can increase the level of security and prevent unauthorized access.
Storing your login credentials in a password manager minimizes damage in the event that your email gets breached. People who don&rsquo;t use a password manager are tempted to reuse passwords or store them in an excel or Google spreadsheet. Don&rsquo;t put all your eggs in one basket.&nbsp;
There are free options out there if you need a password manager for personal use. If you need something for your business, <a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a> is one of the best. If using password best practices is too hard, neither you nor your team will do it. TeamPassword makes it easy to store, update, and share credentials without them leaving an encrypted environment.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
Magic links aim to remove the frustration of being forced to create complex passwords you&rsquo;re sure to forget. Magic links also eliminate the risk of certain cyberattacks and reused passwords, but remain at the mercy of the user&rsquo;s email security. If your website or application requires high security, magic links probably aren&rsquo;t a good choice. But if you want to streamline your customer&rsquo;s login experience and minimize &ldquo;forgot password&rdquo; frustration, magic links can help you get there.&nbsp;

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Cybersecurity is no longer an optional or secondary concern for manufacturers. It is a vital and strategic necessity that affects every aspect of their business. According to a <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/za/Documents/risk/cybersecurity-for-smart-factories.pdf" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">report by Deloitte and MAPI</a>, 48% of manufacturers surveyed identified operational risks, which include cybersecurity, as the greatest danger to smart factory initiatives. Cyberattacks can disrupt production, compromise quality, damage equipment, expose intellectual property, and harm reputation.
In this guide, we will explore the current cybersecurity risks for manufacturers, especially in the context of Industry 4.0 and smart factory technologies. We will also discuss the consequences of cybersecurity breaches and the best practices to prevent and mitigate them. Finally, we will provide some resources and tools to help manufacturers assess and improve their cybersecurity posture.
Here are the key things you need to know about cybersecurity for manufacturing:
<ul>
<li>Cybersecurity risks for manufacturers are increasing as they adopt more digital technologies and connect their operational technologies (OT) to their information technologies (IT).</li>
<li>Cyberattacks can severely impact manufacturers, such as costly business disruptions and downtime, data loss and theft, regulatory fines and lawsuits, and reputational damage.</li>
<li>Manufacturers need to implement a holistic and proactive approach to cybersecurity that covers people, processes, and technology across their entire value chain.</li>
<li>Manufacturers need to follow cybersecurity standards and frameworks, such as NIST SP 800171 and NIST SP 180010, to protect their systems and data from cyber threats.</li>
<li>Manufacturers need to leverage cybersecurity resources and tools, such as NIST MEP Cybersecurity Resources for Manufacturers and NIST SP 180010 Protecting Information and System Integrity in Industrial Control System Environments: Cybersecurity for the Manufacturing Sector, to assess and improve their cybersecurity capabilities.</li>
</ul>
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#currentcyberrisks" rel="follow">Current Cybersecurity Risks for Manufacturers</a>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="2"><a href="#consequences" rel="follow">Consequences of Cybersecurity Breaches</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#cybersecurityformanufacturing" rel="follow">Cybersecurity for Manufacturing: 5 Steps for Getting Started</a>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="2"><a href="#understandrisks" rel="follow">#1. Understand the Risks &amp; Identify Gaps</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="2"><a href="#knowcompliance" rel="follow">#2. Know Your Compliance Requirements</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="2"><a href="#developresponseplan" rel="follow">#3. Develop a Cybersecurity Response Plan</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="2"><a href="#implementaccesscontrol" rel="follow">#4. Implement Strong Access Control</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="2"><a href="#protectcriticalsystems" rel="follow">#5. Protect Your Critical Systems &amp; Data</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="currentcyberrisks">Current Cybersecurity Risks for Manufacturers</h2>
Manufacturers face a variety of cybersecurity risks that can affect their operations, assets, data, customers, suppliers, and partners. Some of the most common and critical risks are:
<ul>
<li>Industry 4.0: Industry 4.0 is the term used to describe the digital transformation of manufacturing that leverages technologies such as IoT, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, additive manufacturing (AM), and big data analytics. These technologies enable manufacturers to improve their efficiency, quality, flexibility, and innovation. However, they also introduce new cybersecurity challenges as they increase the complexity and connectivity of the OT systems that control industrial processes. OT systems were traditionally isolated from IT systems and the internet, but now they are exposed to cyber threats that can exploit their vulnerabilities or interfere with their functionality.</li>
<li>Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that encrypts the victim's data or systems and demands a ransom for their decryption or restoration. Ransomware is a top threat for manufacturers because it can cause significant operational disruptions and financial losses. According to <a href="https://www.dataendure.com/wp-content/uploads/2021_Cost_of_a_Data_Breach_-2.pdf" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">IBM Security's 2021 Cost of a Data Breach Report</a>, ransomware attacks accounted for nearly onethird of all cyberattacks in 2021 and had an average total cost of $4.62 million per incident. Manufacturers are particularly vulnerable to ransomware attacks because they rely on continuous production cycles and often lack adequate backup systems or recovery plans.</li>
<li>Supply chain attacks: Supply chain attacks are cyberattacks that target third party vendors or service providers that have access to or influence over the target's systems or data. Supply chain attacks are a top threat for manufacturers because they can result in data theft, disruption to operations, compromise of product quality or safety, and damage to customer trust. <a href="https://securityintelligence.com/articles/62-of-surveyed-organizations-hit-by-supply-chain-attacks-in-2021/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Supply chain attacks continue to rise</a>. Manufacturers need to be aware of the cybersecurity risks posed by their suppliers, contractors, distributors, and other partners, and ensure that they have adequate security controls and monitoring in place.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="consequences">Consequences of Cybersecurity Breaches</h3>
Cybersecurity breaches can have devastating consequences for manufacturers, both in the short term and the long term. Some of these consequences are:
<ul>
<li>Costly business disruptions and downtime: Cyberattacks can disrupt or halt production processes, damage equipment or machinery, affect product quality or safety, or compromise customer orders or deliveries. These disruptions can result in significant operational and financial losses, as well as contractual penalties or legal liabilities. According to a study by IBM Security and the Ponemon Institute, the average time to identify and contain a data breach in 2021 was 287 days, which means that manufacturers could face prolonged periods of downtime or reduced productivity.</li>
<li>Severe data loss or theft: Cyberattacks can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the data that manufacturers collect, store, process, or share. This data can include sensitive information such as intellectual property, trade secrets, customer data, employee data, financial data, or regulatory data. Data loss or theft can result in competitive disadvantage, reputational damage, regulatory fines or lawsuits, or identity theft or fraud.</li>
<li>Reputational damage or loss of trust: Cyberattacks can damage the reputation or trust of manufacturers among their customers, suppliers, partners, regulators, investors, or employees. This can affect their market share, customer loyalty, supplier relationships, partner collaborations, regulatory compliance, investor confidence, or employee morale. According to a survey by PwC, 69% of consumers said they would stop doing business with an organization that suffered a cyber breach, which means that manufacturers could lose a significant portion of their customer base or revenue.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="cybersecurityformanufacturing">Cybersecurity for Manufacturing: 5 Steps for Getting Started</h2>
Cybersecurity is a vital aspect of any business, but especially for manufacturing. Manufacturing plants rely on complex systems and processes that can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. A cyberattack can disrupt production, damage equipment, compromise data, and harm customers. Therefore, it is essential for manufacturers to take proactive steps to protect their assets and operations from cyber threats.
In this blog post, we will outline five steps manufacturers can follow to get started with cybersecurity. These steps are:
1. Understand the risks and identify gaps 2. Know your compliance requirements 3. Develop a cybersecurity response plan 4. Implement strong access control 5. Protect your critical systems and data
Let's dive into each step in more detail.
<h3 id="understandrisks">#1. Understand the Risks &amp; Identify Gaps</h3>
The first step to improving your cybersecurity is to understand the risks that you face and identify the gaps in your current security posture. To do this, you need to conduct a risk assessment. A risk assessment is a process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the potential threats and vulnerabilities that could affect your manufacturing plant.
A risk assessment can help you answer questions such as:
What are the most valuable assets that you need to protect? What are the most likely threats that could target your assets? What are the potential impacts of a successful cyberattack on your assets? How prepared are you to prevent, detect, and respond to a cyberattack?
By completing a risk assessment, you can prioritize the most critical risks and allocate resources accordingly. You can also identify the security gaps that need to be addressed. Security gaps are the weaknesses or flaws in your security controls that could be exploited by attackers.
To learn more about how to conduct a risk assessment, check out <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-a-security-audit-and-does-my-business-need-one" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">this blog post on security audits</a>.&nbsp;
<h3 id="knowcompliance">#2. Know Your Compliance Requirements</h3>
The second step to improving your cybersecurity is to know your compliance requirements. Compliance requirements are the rules and standards you must follow to meet the expectations of your customers, regulators, and industry partners.
Compliance requirements can vary depending on the type and size of your manufacturing plant, as well as the industry that you operate in. For example, if you manufacture medical devices or pharmaceuticals, you may need to comply with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. If you manufacture defense or aerospace products, you may need to comply with the Department of Defense (DoD) regulations.
Compliance requirements can help you improve cybersecurity by providing a framework and best practices for implementing security controls. However, compliance does not guarantee security. You still need to go beyond compliance and adopt a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.
<h3 id="developresponseplan">#3. Develop a Cybersecurity Response Plan</h3>
The third step to improving your cybersecurity is to develop a cybersecurity response plan. A cybersecurity response plan is a document that outlines how you will handle a cyber incident if it occurs.
A cybersecurity response plan can help you:
Define roles and responsibilities for your security team and other stakeholders Establish procedures and protocols for detecting, containing, analyzing, and resolving cyber incidents Communicate effectively with internal and external parties during and after a cyber incident Document lessons learned and implement improvements for future incidents
A cybersecurity response plan can help you minimize the impact of a cyberattack and restore normal operations as quickly as possible. It can also demonstrate your commitment and readiness to your customers, regulators, and industry partners.
To develop a cybersecurity response plan, you need to:
<ul>
<li>Identify the types of cyber incidents that could affect your manufacturing plant</li>
<li>Assess the potential impacts and consequences of each type of incident</li>
<li>Define the objectives and goals for responding to each type of incident</li>
<li>Assign roles and responsibilities for each stage of the incident response process</li>
<li>Establish procedures and protocols for each stage of the incident response process</li>
<li>Create communication plans for internal and external parties</li>
<li>Test and update your plan regularly</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="implementaccesscontrol">#4. Implement Strong Access Control</h3>
The fourth step to improving your cybersecurity is to implement strong access control. Access control is the process of granting or denying access to your systems, data, and resources based on predefined rules and policies.
Access control can help you:
<ul>
<li>Prevent unauthorized access to your sensitive or confidential information</li>
<li>Limit the exposure of your systems and data to potential threats</li>
<li>Reduce the risk of human error or insider threats</li>
<li>Monitor and audit user activity and behavior</li>
</ul>
To implement strong access control, you need to:
<ul>
<li>Define who can access what, when, where, how, and why</li>
<li>Enforce the principle of least privilege, which means granting users only the minimum level of access they need to perform their tasks</li>
<li>Implement multifactor authentication (MFA), which means requiring users to provide more than one piece of evidence (such as a password and a code) to verify their identity</li>
<li>Use password managers, such as TeamPassword, to generate, store, and share strong and unique passwords for your apps and services</li>
<li>Review and update your access policies and permissions regularly</li>
</ul>
TeamPassword is a password manager designed for teams and businesses. It can help you manage your passwords securely and efficiently across your devices and platforms. With TeamPassword, you can:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Create and store strong passwords</a> for your apps and services</li>
<li>Share passwords with your team members and collaborators</li>
<li>Sync passwords across your devices and browsers</li>
<li>Monitor and <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">audit password usage</a> and activity</li>
</ul>
To learn more about TeamPassword and how it can help you improve your access control, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/">https://teampassword.com/</a>
<h3 id="protectcriticalsystems">#5. Protect Your Critical Systems &amp; Data</h3>
The fifth and final step to improving your cybersecurity is to protect your critical systems and data. Your critical systems and data are the ones that are essential for your manufacturing operations and that would cause significant harm if compromised.
To protect your critical systems and data, you need to implement various security measures and best practices, such as:
<ul>
<li>Install firewalls: Firewalls are devices or software that filter the incoming and outgoing network traffic and block or allow it based on predefined rules. Firewalls can help you prevent unauthorized or malicious access to your systems and data.</li>
<li>Use encryption: <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/whatispasswordencryptionandhowmuchisenough" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Encryption</a> is the process of transforming data into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted with a key. Encryption can help you protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your data in transit and at rest.</li>
<li>Install antivirus software: Antivirus software is a program that detects, prevents, and removes malware (such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, etc.) from your systems. Antivirus software can help you protect your systems from infection and damage.</li>
<li>Create data backups: Data backups are copies of your data that are stored in a separate location from the original source. Data backups can help you recover your data in case of loss, corruption, or deletion due to a cyberattack or other disaster.</li>
</ul>
These are some of the basic security measures and best practices that you can implement to protect your critical systems and data. However, there are many more that you can explore and adopt depending on your specific needs and circumstances.
<h2>Secure Your Manufacturing Data With TeamPassword</h2>
Cybersecurity is not a one-time project or a checkbox item. It is an ongoing process that requires constant attention and improvement. By following these five steps, you can get started with cybersecurity and build a strong foundation for your manufacturing plant.
However, cybersecurity is not something that you can do alone. You need to involve your entire team, from the top management to the shop floor workers. You also need to partner with experts and vendors who can provide you with the tools and services that you need.
At TeamPassword, we are committed to helping you improve your cybersecurity by providing you with a password manager that is secure, easy to use, and tailored for teams. If you want to learn more about how we can help you, <a href="mailto:support@teampassword.com" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">contact us</a> today or <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">sign up for a free trial</a>.

Manufacturers transforming their plants using new tech must protect their critical operations and data. Learn more in this cybersecurity for manufacturing guide.

Manufacturers transforming their plants using new tech must protect their critical operations and data. Learn more in this ...

Cybersecurity for Manufacturing: Risks & Best Practices

Passwords and passphrases are essential in the digital age. With so much of our lives online, we must ensure that our accounts and personal information remain secure. But what is the difference between a password and a passphrase, and which is better? Let&rsquo;s take a closer look.
A password is a string of characters used to authenticate a user, while a passphrase is a sequence of words or phrases used for the same purpose. A passphrase is usually longer and more complex than a password, making it harder to guess or crack.
<h2 dir="ltr">What is a Password?</h2>
A password is a string of characters, such as letters, numbers, and symbols, used to authenticate a user's identity. When you create an account on a website, you are usually asked to choose a password. You enter this password when you log in to the website to prove that you are who you say you are.
Passwords have been around for a long time and are still widely used today. However, as hackers become more sophisticated, using strong passwords to protect your online accounts is becoming increasingly important.
<h2 dir="ltr">What is a Passphrase?</h2>
A passphrase is similar to a password, but instead of a random string of characters, it is a series of words. For example, "correct-horse-battery-staple".&nbsp;
The hyphens are important, as they increase the number and type of characters, thus the passphrase's overall security. You can use any symbol to separate the words and increase security.&nbsp;
Passphrases are becoming more popular as people realize that they are easier to remember than passwords while still being secure. Due to their length, they resist brute-force attacks, where an attacker tries to guess your password by systematically trying every possible combination of characters.
<h2 dir="ltr">Passphrase vs. Password: Which is Better?</h2>
Passphrases are easier to remember and are typically more secure if they use a larger number of characters. However, if the system limits you to less than 20 characters, you'll be more secure with a randomly generated password that includes a healthy mix of numbers and symbols.&nbsp;
A password is better than a passphrase in some situations, such as:
<ul>
<li>When the system has a strict limit on the number of characters or symbols allowed</li>
<li>When the user needs to type the password frequently or quickly</li>
<li>When the user has a reliable and secure way to store or remember the password</li>
<li>When the password is randomly generated and has high entropy</li>
</ul>
A passphrase is better than a password in other situations, such as:
<ul>
<li>When the system allows for longer and more complex inputs</li>
<li>When the user wants to avoid common password cracking techniques</li>
<li>When the user can create a memorable and unique phrase</li>
<li>When the passphrase is composed of words from different languages or domains</li>
</ul>

<h2>How to Create a Strong Passphrase</h2>
For most people, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/06/passwords-are-the-weakest-link-in-cybersecurity-today-michael-chertoff-commentary.html" style="color: #40d8e3; text-decoration: underline;" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">the weakest link in their security is their password</a>. There are a few strategies to write good passphrases that I recommend.&nbsp;
Start by choosing a few of your favorite things. For example, I will start with my favorite band, Guided by Voices. I will also use one of my favorite songs from them, like &ldquo;Echos Myron.&rdquo; Take some words from each source, and mix them up with some significant numbers for you.
VoicesJMY6ASMyron7988Liberty
This password is constructed of the third word from the name of the band, a license plate number for a car, the second word from the song title, part of a phone number, and a standout term from the song. Since you built this phrase yourself, you should be able to remember it quickly, and you now have a 28-character password!&nbsp;
Passphrases improve your password security by helping you remember a long string of characters that don't make sense to anyone else. If you build all of your passphrases like this, your passwords will be nearly impossible for another human to guess.&nbsp;
You can take it further by substituting letters or numbers for symbols. For example, in the password above, you can replace all the &lsquo;i&rsquo; characters with the &lsquo;!&rsquo; symbol. This will break most of the dictionary words in your password, making it even more impenetrable and easy to remember!
<h3>Here are Some Tips to Building a Strong Passphrase&nbsp;</h3>
<h4 dir="ltr">1.Use a Random Combination of Words</h4>
The key to a strong passphrase is randomness. Don't use a common phrase or saying that someone else might guess. Instead, use a combination of random words that have no connection to each other or only have meaning to you.&nbsp;
<h4 dir="ltr">2. Use a Long Phrase</h4>
The longer your passphrase, the more secure it will be. Aim for at least 20 characters or more.
<h4 dir="ltr">3. Include Numbers, Symbols, and Capital Letters</h4>
While a passphrase comprises words, you can still include numbers, symbols, and capital letters to make it even more secure. For example, you could replace letters with numbers, such as "l3monad3", or include symbols, such as "!n3w_y0rk_C1ty".
<h4 dir="ltr">4. Don't Reuse Passphrases</h4>
Just like passwords, you should never reuse a passphrase across multiple accounts. If one of your accounts is compromised, an attacker could use the same passphrase to access your other accounts.
In summary, passwords and passphrases each have their own use cases. Passwords are still suitable for some situations, but passphrases are a better choice if you need to remember your login details. When creating a passphrase, aim for randomness, length, and complexity, and never reuse the same passphrase across multiple accounts. By following these tips, you can help keep your online accounts secure.
Most people have well over one hundred online accounts. You&rsquo;ll never remember 100 unique passphrases, so get a password manager. <a href="https://teampassword.com/pricing" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Try us out for free today</a>!

Passphrase vs. Password. Which one should you choose? They each have strengths and weaknesses depending on the context. Learn the difference.

If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you know that the internet is essentially the Wild West. ...

Password vs. Passphrase: A Comprehensive Overview | TeamPassword

If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you know that the internet is essentially the Wild West. Hackers and career criminals take advantage of computer users by extorting them for ransom and forcing them to pay in bitcoin. Like in the real world, criminals can attack when you least expect it. But just like in the real world, you can become more precautious, gain some spacial awareness, and make yourself safe when surfing and working on the web.

In today's interconnected world, where technology advancements are rampant, the need for robust cybersecurity solutions has never been greater. Cyberattacks are growing in frequency and sophistication, posing significant challenges to individuals, businesses, and governments.
The first six months of 2022 saw 2.8 billion malware attacks and a 60% increase in malicious DDoS attacks in the same period, <a href="https://www.getastra.com/blog/security-audit/cyber-security-statistics/#:~:text=Interesting%20Facts%20About%20Cyber%20Attacks%202022" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">reports show</a>.&nbsp;
In this landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a powerful ally in the battle against cyber threats. Leveraging AI for cybersecurity holds the promise of revolutionizing defense strategies and enabling more proactive and efficient protection against malicious activities.
This guide delves into the realm of AI-powered cybersecurity solutions, exploring their potential benefits and practical applications. From eliminating manual tasks to accelerating threat detection, this article outlines key takeaways that shed light on the transformative impact of AI in safeguarding digital assets.
Key Takeaways: Here are the key things you need to know about AI-powered cybersecurity solutions:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>AI streamlines manual tasks and enhances overall efficiency.</li>
<li>AI simplifies complex cybersecurity practices, benefiting small IT teams and non-experts.</li>
<li>AI accelerates threat detection and response, bolstering cybersecurity efforts.</li>
<li>AI-driven anomaly detection enhances proactive defense strategies.</li>
<li>AI's continuous learning improves adaptive threat mitigation.</li>
</ul>
[Table of Contents]
<a href="#potentialbenefits" rel="follow">The Potential Benefits of Using AI for Cybersecurity</a> <a href="#5effective" rel="follow">5 Effective AI Cybersecurity Solutions</a> <a href="#realworld" rel="follow">Real-World Examples of AI Cybersecurity Solutions</a> <a href="#potentialchallenges" rel="follow">Potential Challenges of Using AI for Cybersecurity</a>
<h2 id="potentialbenefits">The Potential Benefits of Using AI for Cybersecurity</h2>
<h3>#1. Eliminates Tedious Manual Tasks</h3>
Manual cybersecurity tasks are time-consuming and prone to human error. With the implementation of AI, routine activities like log analysis, patch management, and vulnerability assessments can be automated. This frees up security professionals to focus on more strategic and creative tasks, improving overall efficiency and reducing the risk of oversight. For instance, AI-driven tools can continuously monitor network traffic, identifying unusual patterns that might indicate a breach or unauthorized access.
<h3>#2. Simplifies Complex Cybersecurity Practices</h3>
Cybersecurity is intricate, often requiring a deep understanding of various technologies and threat landscapes. Small IT teams or those without extensive cybersecurity expertise can find it challenging to keep up. AI steps in as a knowledgeable assistant, offering threat intelligence and insights that simplify complex concepts. It can provide recommendations for security configurations and policies tailored to an organization's specific needs, helping bridge the knowledge gap and ensuring effective protection. It could also help teach <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-best-practices-for-employees" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">best practices for employees</a>.&nbsp;
<h3>#3. Helps to Uncover &amp; Mitigate Threats Faster</h3>
One of the most significant advantages of AI in cybersecurity is its ability to rapidly identify and respond to threats. Traditional methods of threat detection often involve manual monitoring and analysis, which can delay response times. AI-powered solutions, on the other hand, can analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, identifying anomalies and potential breaches with remarkable speed. For example, AI algorithms can detect unusual user behavior, such as an employee accessing sensitive data at an unusual time, prompting an immediate investigation.
<h3>#4. Enhances Adaptive Threat Mitigation</h3>
The fourth benefit delves into the concept of adaptive threat mitigation. Unlike traditional security systems that rely on fixed rule sets, AI continuously learns and evolves based on new data and patterns. This adaptability enables AI to anticipate emerging threats that might evade conventional defenses. For instance, AI algorithms can identify subtle changes in malware patterns and behaviors, enabling quicker adjustments to counter new attack vectors.
<h3>#5. Proactive Defense Through Anomaly Detection</h3>
Beyond its role in incident response, AI also plays a vital role in proactive defense by identifying anomalies that might go unnoticed by human operators. Anomalous activities, such as unauthorized access attempts or unusual data transfers, can be swiftly flagged by AI systems. By baselining normal behavior and recognizing deviations, AI can significantly reduce the time taken to detect and respond to potential threats.
<h2 id="5effective">5 Effective AI Cybersecurity Solutions:</h2>
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, AI-powered solutions are emerging as indispensable tools to thwart <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/10-cyberattacks-recently-used-by-hackers-2023" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">evolving digital threats</a>. Here, we explore five impactful AI cybersecurity solutions that are reshaping the way organizations defend against cyberattacks.
<h3>#1. Automated Incident Response</h3>
Automated incident response is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity, as it ensures swift actions are taken to contain and mitigate the impact of security breaches. AI plays a pivotal role by rapidly identifying and categorizing potential incidents. Machine learning algorithms can analyze patterns and historical data to determine the severity of an incident, trigger appropriate responses, and even suggest remediation steps. This real-time capability significantly reduces the response time, limiting potential damage.
<h3>#2. Faster Threat Detection</h3>
Threat detection is the foundation of effective cybersecurity. AI enhances this process by scrutinizing immense volumes of data, such as network logs, user behavior, and application activities, in real-time. Machine learning algorithms can detect unusual patterns and behaviors that might indicate a breach, even when such activities might be imperceptible to human analysts. This leads to quicker identification of potential threats, allowing security teams to respond promptly.
<h3>#3. Continuous Monitoring</h3>
Cyber threats can emerge at any time, making continuous monitoring a critical requirement. AI-driven solutions excel in this aspect, as they can tirelessly monitor vast networks and systems 24/7 without fatigue. This proactive approach ensures that potential vulnerabilities and breaches are detected and addressed in their early stages, reducing the risk of prolonged exposure and data loss.
<h3>#4. Task Automation</h3>
The realm of cybersecurity involves a plethora of manual tasks, from software patching to vulnerability assessments. AI excels in automating these repetitive processes, ensuring that critical tasks are executed consistently and accurately. This reduces human error and enables security professionals to focus on strategic activities that require human expertise, such as threat analysis and response planning.
<h3>#5. Endpoint Protection</h3>
Endpoints, such as computers, smartphones, and IoT devices, are often the entry points for cyberattacks. AI-powered endpoint protection solutions use behavioral analysis to identify abnormal activities on devices. They can detect malware, phishing attempts, and unauthorized access by analyzing patterns of usage. This proactive defense mechanism prevents threats from infiltrating the network through vulnerable endpoints.
<h2 id="realworld">Real-World Examples of AI Cybersecurity Solutions:</h2>
Several companies are at the forefront of delivering AI-powered cybersecurity solutions. One notable example is <a href="https://www.crowdstrike.com/falcon-platform/artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">CrowdStrike</a>, which offers a cloud-native platform that utilizes AI and machine learning for threat detection and response. The platform's Falcon AI identifies threats in real-time by analyzing behavioral data across endpoints, enabling organizations to swiftly mitigate risks.
<h2 id="potentialchallenges">Potential Challenges of Using AI for Cybersecurity:</h2>
While AI offers immense potential for bolstering cybersecurity defenses, it's not without its challenges. Let's explore three key hurdles that organizations may face:
<h3>#1. Evolving Threat Landscape</h3>
The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, with attackers adopting sophisticated tactics to bypass defenses. AI models may struggle to keep up with rapidly changing attack vectors, potentially leading to false positives or negatives. Ongoing AI model updates and human oversight are necessary to ensure accuracy.
<h3>#2. Data Privacy Concerns</h3>
AI-driven cybersecurity solutions rely on vast amounts of data for training and analysis. However, handling sensitive data raises concerns about privacy and compliance. Striking a balance between effective threat detection and respecting user privacy is a delicate challenge that organizations must navigate.
<h3>#3. Adversarial Attacks</h3>
Adversarial attacks involve manipulating AI models by feeding them malicious data crafted to exploit vulnerabilities in the model's decision-making process. These attacks can lead to incorrect threat assessments and undermine the trustworthiness of AI-powered defenses. Developing robust models that are resistant to such attacks requires ongoing research and innovation.
<h2>Improve Your Cybersecurity With TeamPassword</h2>
Regardless of the safety - or threats - that AI offers to cybersecurity, your organization needs a password manager. If you need a shared password vault with a low barrier to entry, no-frills interface, and white-glove customer support, <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">give TeamPassword a try for free</a>.&nbsp;

AI cybersecurity solutions are growing in number, helping companies boost their IT security posture. Learn more about how AI can improve cybersecurity here.

AI cybersecurity solutions are growing in number, helping companies boost their IT security posture. Learn more about how ...

AI Cybersecurity Solutions: 4 Ways AI Can Improve Security

AI Cybersecurity Solutions: 5 Ways AI Can Improve Security

So you think hackers have stolen your password? You're not the only one. 
Perhaps you've noticed strange activity on your email account or frequent pop-ups on your computer. Perhaps it's just a hunch. 
But how can you know&nbsp;for sure?
There are many warning signs that you've been the victim of a data hack:
<ul>
<li>Your device is slower than normal.</li>
<li>You use more data than normal.</li>
<li>Videos take longer to load.</li>
<li>You received an email notification about a password change you didn't make.</li>
<li>An online account no longer accepts your password.</li>
</ul>
However, hackers can steal your passwords and identity&nbsp;without you ever knowing. That's why it's so difficult to tell if you're the victim of a hack.
This guide will help you work out if hackers have stolen your information and tell you how to stop it from happening again.&nbsp;
Prevent hackers from stealing your data by incorporating TeamPassword into your tech stack. This password manager for teams comes with a range of security features like two-step verification and password encryption.&nbsp;<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sign up for a free trial</a>&nbsp;today.&nbsp;

<h2>Have I Been Hacked? How Do I Know?</h2>
There are various ways to tell whether hackers have access to your information:
<ul>
<li>Look for unusual activity on your account. This activity includes logins to your social media accounts from unfamiliar locations or mass messages sent from your email account.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Look for security emails from account providers that warn about failed login attempts or password changes you didn't make.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Look for changes in performance on the devices, apps, and websites you use. For example, see if videos take longer to buffer than normal.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Look at your browser's password manager (if you use one) and check that nobody has changed these credentials.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
All the above can be a guessing game. You might have a feeling that you're the victim of a hack but don't know for sure. 
Checking a stolen password list like "Have I Been Pwned" clears up some of the confusion. This tool searches across multiple data breaches &mdash; when hackers take stolen passwords and usernames and post them online &mdash; to see if cybercriminals have compromised your personal information. 
Here's how to use this stolen password list:
<ol>
<li>Enter your email address on the main page.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Click "pwned."</li>
<li>The website will search thousands of databases to see if hackers have stolen your personal information.</li>
<li>If you receive the "Oh no &ndash; Pwned!" message, it means hackers have posted sensitive information associated with your email address (passwords, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) somewhere online.</li>
<li>If you receive the "Good news &ndash; no pwnage found!" message, it means the website could not find your information on the internet.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
Note: Just because the website can't find your data on the internet, it doesn't mean hackers haven't compromised your personal information.
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/password-manager-for-small-businesses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Password Manager for Small Businesses</a>

<h2>Which Passwords Did Hackers Steal?</h2>
Establish which passwords hackers stole in a data breach so you can take quick action. Websites like "Have I Been Pwned"&nbsp;won't&nbsp;tell you which passwords are at risk. You'll only learn whether hackers have compromised the data associated with a particular email address. 
Note: Sometimes, hackers might have access to your email address and other personal information but not your password. It's hard to know for sure.&nbsp;
If hackers have access to your data, it's a good idea to change&nbsp;all passwords&nbsp;associated with the compromised email address. If you use your email address for several online accounts, change the passwords for these services. Updating these passwords might take you a while, and remembering the new passwords leads to additional problems. (Keep reading to find a solution.)
Here are some other tips:
<ul>
<li>When choosing new passwords, use combinations of lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Passwords that use all these elements are stronger than those that don't.</li>
<li>Don't write your passwords down because this increases the risk of identity theft.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Don't tell anyone your new passwords.</li>
</ul>
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-most-secure-way-to-share-passwords" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Most Secure Way to Share Passwords</a>.

<h2>How Common Is a Data Hack?</h2>
More common than you think. Hackers were responsible for more than 4,000 attacks every day in 2020, and the total number of compromised records exceeded 37 billion. That's a 141% increase from 2019. Much of this compromised data appears on the dark web, where cybercriminals use it to facilitate illegal activities such as identity theft and money laundering.&nbsp;
If you have been the subject of a data hack, you are not alone. However, it's important to act quickly to prevent hackers from accessing your personal or financial accounts.&nbsp;
There are other types of cybercrime to consider. Cybercriminals use techniques like phishing, where they impersonate people online and trick victims into handing over their personal information. Phishing now accounts for more than 80% of all cybersecurity incidents, and criminals steal $17,700 every minute in these attacks.&nbsp;

<h2>What Kind of Information Do Hackers Steal?</h2>
Hackers steal all kinds of personal and financial information:
<ul>
<li>Names</li>
<li>Email addresses</li>
<li>Usernames</li>
<li>Passwords</li>
<li>Addresses</li>
<li>Phone numbers</li>
<li>Bank account details</li>
<li>Credit card numbers</li>
<li>Social Security numbers</li>
<li>Insurance information&nbsp;</li>
<li>IRS information</li>
<li>Photos</li>
<li>Private message</li>
<li>SMS messages</li>
</ul>
Nothing is off-limits for hackers, and these criminals go to great lengths to steal your data. Once they have access to the information above, hackers can transfer money from your bank accounts, use your identity to apply for financing, and damage your credit file.&nbsp;
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-scariest-data-breaches-of-all-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Scariest Data Breaches of All Time</a>.
TeamPassword is the best password manager for teams. Features include two-step verification, password encryption, easy password sharing, and more.&nbsp;<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get a free trial now</a>&nbsp;and learn how TeamPassword keeps you safe online.&nbsp;

<h2>Have I Been Hacked? How to Stay Safe.</h2>
There are several ways to improve online security and prevent hackers from accessing your personal information:
<ul>
<li>Use the latest security software and apps when using devices and browsing the internet.</li>
<li>Carry out regular risk assessments where you evaluate your security software.</li>
<li>Back up personal data to a reputable cloud service instead of keeping it on your device.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Don't share personal information with other people.</li>
<li>Create a security management strategy for your organization and share it with all team members.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Using a password manager is another way to stay safe online. The best ones encrypt your online passwords so hackers can't access these credentials, and you can keep passwords in a secure cloud-based vault and not have to remember them. There are various password managers online, including free ones available through most internet browsers, but not all tools are the same.&nbsp;
If you work alongside a team, consider TeamPassword. It's the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teampassword.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">password manager for teams</a>&nbsp;that require world-class security and performance. This all-in-one password solution helps teams like yours store, manage, and share passwords in the safest way possible.&nbsp;

<h2>How Can TeamPassword Help?</h2>
TeamPassword prevents hackers from stealing your organization's most sensitive data with an incredible range of password management features. Enterprises of all sizes use TeamPassword to manage passwords, including tech startups, digital marketing agencies, creative agencies, and software and development teams.
Here are some&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/features" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TeamPassword features</a>&nbsp;that prevent situations involving a stolen password:
<ul>
<li>Random password generation that creates unique passwords for websites.</li>
<li>Two-step password verification.</li>
<li>Activity and logging tools so you can discover who has access to password management features.</li>
<li>Secure encryption technology.</li>
<li>Email notifications about password management actions.</li>
<li>Passwords stored securely in one place. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Final Word</h2>
If you're looking for the answer to the question, "Have I been hacked?" it's difficult to know for sure. Preventing hackers from compromising your data in the first place provides a better resolution. TeamPassword lets you store and manage passwords in a secure environment and minimize the effects of a stolen password so you can avoid hackers stealing your data and continue to collaborate on team projects.&nbsp;
With features like password encryption, two-step authentication, and random password generation, TeamPassword is the best password management solution for teams that want to improve online security.&nbsp;<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sign up for a free trial</a>&nbsp;now.

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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.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<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>
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<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.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<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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