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!

Reports of cybersecurity threats to small businesses continue to rise, but many companies aren&rsquo;t feeling the urgency.
<h2>The Stats</h2>
Hackers compromised 30 million Facebook accounts in 2018. Roughly 70% of internet users use the same password on multiple accounts. Spot the problem?

Are you confident your employees are not using the same password for Instagram as they are for their Hootsuite or company dashboard logins?&nbsp;

The <a href="https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2022/08/recent-cyber-attack.html">most recent Cisco breach</a> was made possible by an employee saving work passwords in their browser; not as heinous a security crime as reusing passwords, but unsafe enough that the attacker was able to use the password stolen from the employee&rsquo;s browser, phish MFA authentication, and get into Cisco&rsquo;s systems all the same.

So what&rsquo;s the point of all these stats and scare stories?&nbsp;

If you&rsquo;re not providing employees with a password management solution and educating them on how to use it, your business will eventually fall victim, through one avenue or another, to a cyberattack.&nbsp;

And according to the latest data, that will cost your business anywhere from <a href="https://terranovasecurity.com/data-breaches-prove-costly-for-small-businesses/">38k</a> to over <a href="https://www.ibm.com/security/data-breach">$4.35 million</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Here are a few more stats to arouse your caution:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Ransomware attacks happen every 14 seconds.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">43% of cyber attacks are targeted at small businesses, while 60% of those that are targeted go out of business within 6 months.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">65% of large companies have over 500 employees that have never changed their passwords.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h2>The Solution</h2>
If you aren&rsquo;t using a password manager, get one. If you are, use its features.

Set a schedule for updating your passwords. Many breaches happen months after the data is stolen. By updating your passwords, you may be foiling all the attacker&rsquo;s hard work.&nbsp;

The cost of security breaches often results from businesses not having a Cyber Security Incident Response Plan. While it takes time and thought to set up, it will save you thousands or millions in the event of an attack.

Phishing emails are the primary form of cyberattack. Teach your employees to spot spoofed URLs and spam emails.&nbsp;
<h2>TeamPassword is Designed for Security</h2>
We know it&rsquo;s tempting to simplify your password life by relying on your browser&rsquo;s offer to save every password you enter or reuse some tried-and-true passwords, but the data is clear that there will eventually be consequences for these tactics.&nbsp;

TeamPassword&rsquo;s browser extension provides seamless access to your websites and logins, so you have no excuse for unsafe password habits. Just pin the extension in your browser, and your logins are a couple of clicks away.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/P2O02i1SxKcX7mlXr2gJ" alt="undefined" width="627" height="437" />
TeamPassword also tracks the last time a password was changed and includes a built-in password generator so that you have the appropriate tool at hand to take action. You can also test your passwords with our <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">free password generator</a>.
&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/u6O8K1UDT0KRySKM8wwN" alt="undefined" width="433" height="287" />
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/N1ZN2993RDuMHsFTHNEw" alt="undefined" />
 Password management can feel overwhelming. We built TeamPassword to make it a bit simpler. Give us a try for <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">free for 14 days</a>.

Reports of cybersecurity threats to small businesses continue to rise, but many companies aren’t feeling the urgency. Hackers compromised...

Reports of cybersecurity threats to small businesses continue to rise, but many companies aren’t feeling the urgency. The ...

The Importance of Responsible Password Management

Reports of cybersecurity threats to small businesses continue to rise, but many companies aren’t feeling the urgency. The Stats Hackers compromised 30 million Facebook accounts in 2018. Roughly 70% of internet users use the same password on multiple accounts. Spot the problem? Are you confident your employees are not using ...

Operating a business in today&rsquo;s market means managing dozens of online accounts and (for our typical customer) over 100 passwords.&nbsp;
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/5-habits-that-put-your-accounts-at-risk" style="color: #40d8e3;">Poor password management</a> costs your business time, money, and countless headaches. Every business should have a password vault that makes it easy to collaborate and share online accounts.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s why.&nbsp;

<h2>Increase Productivity</h2>
Studies showed that <a href="https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2019/12/new-password-study-finds-78-of-people-had-to-reset-a-password-they-forgot-in-past-90-days.html" style="color: #40d8e3;">57% of users</a> needed to reset work passwords in the last 90 days, and employees spend <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/up-to-11-hours-spent-every-year-resetting-passwords-1.819620#:~:text=We%20spend%20on%20average%2012%20minutes%20every%20week%20entering%20or%20renewing%20passwords&amp;text=Almost%2011%20hours%20are%20lost,new%20report%20published%20on%20Tuesday." style="color: #40d8e3; text-decoration: underline;">over 10 hours a year resetting</a> and trying to remember passwords. This, combined with the <a href="https://www.cyclonis.com/report-83-percent-users-surveyed-use-same-password-multiple-sites/" style="color: #40d8e3;">terrible security habits people adopt</a> when left to their own devices, exacts a damaging cost on your business across time.&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t waste your team&rsquo;s time and expertise on password management when they can have the accounts they need at their fingertips.&nbsp;
<a href="https://help.teampassword.com/en/articles/6143477-sharing-records" style="color: #40d8e3;">Sharing passwords is easy</a> when the tool is designed for the job.&nbsp;

<h2>Avoid Duplicate Accounts</h2>
Duplicate accounts lead to disorganization, confusion, and lost productivity.
TeamPassword lets your employees see which services your company has signed up for so that Jenna from HR doesn't accidentally create a Hootsuite account when Joe from Marketing already made one.&nbsp;
Having multiple accounts for the same service is a nightmare.&nbsp;
It can be difficult to shut down twin accounts, and companies end up paying duplicate subscription fees for months or years.&nbsp;

<h2>Faster Onboarding</h2>
No one wants to spend their first day figuring out how to log onto the accounts they need to do their job. A password manager for teams makes it easy to integrate new employees.
Just <a href="https://help.teampassword.com/en/articles/5722465-how-to-invite-a-new-user" style="color: #40d8e3;">add the new employee</a> to your TeamPassword account, then <a href="https://help.teampassword.com/en/articles/5530821-how-to-create-a-group" style="color: #40d8e3;">grant them access</a> to the appropriate groups.
Our password manager clearly shows new employees what accounts you have. If they&rsquo;re unfamiliar with one of the tools they&rsquo;ll be using to do their job, they can ask you about it sooner rather than later and hit the ground running.

<h2>Ease the Breakup</h2>
A password manager makes it <a href="https://help.teampassword.com/en/articles/6143642-how-to-change-a-user-s-role" style="color: #40d8e3;">frictionless to revoke access</a> when an employee leaves your company.&nbsp;
It might also be a good time to go through and refresh your passwords - easily done with our built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" style="color: #40d8e3;">password generator</a>. You can also see the last time a password was updated right there in the login.&nbsp;
Grant access to your accounts on a need-to-know basis. It takes one moment of vindictiveness for a spurned employee with Twitter access to tarnish your company's reputation.&nbsp;
Cybersecurity is getting more complicated every year. It&rsquo;s tempting to look the other way and do what you&rsquo;ve always done, but with the <a href="https://www.upguard.com/blog/cost-of-data-breach" style="color: #40d8e3;">cost of data breaches</a> rising further, there&rsquo;s no reason to put the livelihood of you and your employees at risk.

Use a password manager. It doesn&rsquo;t have to be ours - be realistic about your use case. We designed TeamPassword to be the most straightforward, easy-to-use tool on the market. If that grabs your interest, <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" style="color: #40d8e3;">give us a try for free for 14 days</a> (no credit card required).&nbsp;

Operating a business in today’s market means managing dozens of online accounts and over 100s of passwords. Poor password management costs y

Operating a business in today’s market means managing dozens of online accounts and over 100s of passwords. Poor ...

Why All Businesses Should use a Password Manager

Operating a business in today’s market means managing dozens of online accounts and over 100s of passwords. Poor password management costs your business time, money, and countless headaches. Every business should have a password vault that makes it easy to collaborate and share online accounts.

Bad habits can cost you serious time and money when managing your passwords.
We all know the hassle of forgetting a password and having to reset it, but that's nothing compared to what you'll go through if your accounts are compromised because you managed your passwords poorly.
It's the age-old story of a company that uses the same password for everything, then one unimportant site gets hacked, and the attacker gains access to all of their accounts.
Luckily, building good password habits is easy with the right strategies and tools. Read on to learn about lazy password management habits and how you can fix them.
<h2>1. Don&rsquo;t use the same password everywhere</h2>
It's only a matter of time before one of the websites or apps you use gets hacked or has a security lapse. See <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/31/dropbox-hack-passwords-68m-data-breach">Dropbox</a>, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-24740873">Adobe</a>, and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartbleed">Heartbleed bug</a> that affected several websites.&nbsp;
Once a hacker gets one of your passwords, it's easy for them to try that password on countless other websites. For example, if you use the same password for Instagram as for online banking, a lapse in Instagram's security can result in an empty bank account.&nbsp;
Using the same password is one of the riskiest things you can do online; it's asking for trouble.
<h3>Fix it</h3>
Stop using the same password! Instead, use a password management service (like <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/">TeamPassword.com</a>) to randomly generate and store your passwords so that you have unique passwords for different services without needing to remember them all.
<h2>2. Don&rsquo;t keep the same password for an eternity</h2>
Passwords, like the oil in your car, should be changed regularly. Many breaches happen during the weeks and months before an attacker acts on the data they've captured. If you update your password, it's tough luck for the hacker.&nbsp;
Don't make it easy for hackers and malicious users. Change your password on a regular basis.
<h3>Fix it</h3>
Set up a system that reminds you how old your passwords are. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> shows the last time you updated the password every time you use the account--shaming you every time you see "Last Updated: 5 years ago."
<h2>3. Don&rsquo;t rely on your browser</h2>
Storing passwords in your browser is quick and easy, but doing so <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-save-passwords-in-chrome-and-alternatives">opens a can of worms for your personal and business security</a>.
Browsers now allow you <a href="https://blog.malwarebytes.com/privacy-2/2021/02/browser-sync-what-are-the-risks-of-turning-it-on/">to sync</a> your passwords, bookmarks, and more so that you can sign in from any device and access your data.&nbsp;
Awesome, right?&nbsp;
Except that if you lose your laptop or phone or forget to sign out on a public computer, your data will continue to sync between devices until you remember to sign them out manually and update your passwords.&nbsp;
In the meantime, you&rsquo;re an easy target.
We've all seen those "Brian left his Facebook open!" posts made by someone's friend (and that's the polite version). Imagine the kind of mischief--or trouble--someone could get into with access to your bank account or company Workspace.&nbsp;
What if you store passwords in your browser but don&rsquo;t sync? You may think you won&rsquo;t need them while traveling in Morocco--until you realize you forgot to schedule your car loan payment or you get a text message about suspicious activity on that credit card you hardly use.
<h3>Fix it</h3>
Use a logic management service that requires authentication to access your passwords so that you can access them everywhere (and so that your friend Jessica can't be a jerk on your social media or bank account when she borrows your computer).&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> offers a mobile app and 2FA so that you can access your passwords securely on the go.&nbsp;
<h2>4. Don&rsquo;t share your passwords liberally</h2>
We all need to share passwords from time to time, whether you're giving the WiFi password to a guest or collaborating to update a Twitter account for a business.&nbsp;
The problem is sharing too many passwords. Bad habits often come in clusters, so you may use that same password on other services, exposing you to severe risks. Think of passwords like they're the keys to your house. You're not going to give that up to just anybody.&nbsp;
Furthermore, you will likely forget who you shared your passwords with. It might not seem like a big problem now, but let's be honest, do you want your crazy ex (or vindictive former employee) to have access to any of your online accounts?
<h3>Fix it</h3>
Use a team <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> that helps you share passwords and shows you who has access. That way, adding or removing password access as needed is easy. Plus, you'll quickly know which passwords you need to change if you've parted ways with someone.
<h2>5. Don&rsquo;t share your passwords via email</h2>
Email is an inherently insecure means of communication. You don't need to be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Pictures_hack">Sony to be a target of an email hack</a>. Never use email to send sensitive information. Plus, who wants to comb through old emails to find a password?
<h3>Fix it</h3>
Use a password storage service with strong security practices to share that sensitive information. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> offers unlimited groups, so passwords are securely shared with only those teammates who need them.&nbsp;
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
If you have any of these bad habits, you must stop doing them now, before one of the apps you use gets hacked. Malicious hackers can steal your money, time, and even identity if you have risky password practices.
We started TeamPassword to help teams avoid these bad password habits and the losses that come with poor password management. Try it out with our free <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">14-day trial</a>.

Resetting a password is annoying. Losing access to an account because of poor password security is devastating. Break these 5 bad habits now.

Resetting a password is annoying. A compromised account because of poor password security is devastating. Break these 5 ...

5 Password Habits that Put Your Accounts at Risk

Resetting a password is annoying. A compromised account because of poor password security is devastating. Break these 5 bad habits now.

5 Habits that Put Your Accounts at Risk

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.

Have I been hacked? Here's how to check if you have and learn how to stop hackers from stealing your data. | TeamPassword Blog

Have I been hacked? Here's how to check if you have and learn how to stop hackers from ...

Have I Been Hacked? How to Know for Sure.

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What To Do If You Forgot Your Old Facebook Login

What To Do If You Forgot Your Old Facebook Login | TeamPassword

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>
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<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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