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!
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<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!
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<h2>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>
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<h2>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$$w0rd123</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hashed password: 6AF1CE202340FE71BDB914AD5357E33A6982A63B</li>
</ul>
While this might seem secure, simple hashed passwords aren't hack-proof.
The hash function only creates a unique hash for each password, not each user. So, if multiple users have the password, Pa$$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): 72AE25495A7981C40622D49F9A52E4F1565C90F048F59027BD9C8C8900D5C3D8</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password two hashed value (SHA256): B4B6603ABC670967E99C7E7F1389E40CD16E78AD38EB1468EC2AA1E62B8BED3A</li>
</ul>
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<h2>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>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 ...

What is password encryption and how much is enough?

Online businesses can be lucrative, but they come with the risk of cyberattacks, which have become routine events these days.&nbsp;

We regularly hear news about data breaches and other types of attacks using new techniques to steal customers' information and hack websites.&nbsp;Many businesses have suffered massive losses because of cybercrimes. To succeed in the e-commerce business it is essential to create a safe environment for your customers.&nbsp;

How can you ensure online business security? This article is a comprehensive guide to help you secure your online business and prevent a potential cyber-attack. Let's get started.

<h1 style="text-align: left;">Want to Secure Online Business? Follow These 8 Effective Tips</h1>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Install Anti-virus Software</h3>
Virus, <a href="https://ransomware.org/">ransomware</a>, and trojan horse attacks are common. However, using anti-virus software can mitigate the risk of cyberattacks to a considerable degree.&nbsp;

Anti-virus software prevents diverse <a href="https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-malware-types-of-malware.html">types of malware</a> from attacking your e-commerce website and other web applications. When someone tries to install a malicious program or access sensitive data, the anti-virus program will alert you and prevent them from completing the action.&nbsp;

However, not all anti-virus software is equally effective. Assess their features and benefits before subscribing to one. At a minimum, make sure the one you choose has real-time protection, scheduled scans, and automatic updates.

<h3 style="text-align: left;">Use an SSL Certificate</h3>
When you run an online business, thousands of people visit your website daily. Presumably, your customers will pay online, which increases the risk of their payment details getting exposed to criminals.&nbsp;
If your website does not have an SSL certificate, it is easier for attackers to access your customers' data. When you use an SSL certificate users' input data is encrypted on the website and then transferred in an unreadable form. This prevents hackers from deciphering the information even if they have access to it, which is essential to secure online business.&nbsp;
Using an SSL certificate makes your website more dependable, increases shoppers&rsquo; sense of security, and builds trust between you and your customers.
You can easily purchase and install a reliable single-domain or multi-domain SSL certificate for your online business from an online provider. Some, such as <a href="https://www.clickssl.net/cheapest-wildcard-ssl-certificate-for-sub-domains">Wildcard SSL Certificate</a>, offer reliable protection at comparatively lower prices.

<h3 style="text-align: left;">Ensure Everyone Uses a Strong Password</h3>
Password breach is a major threat to online business security. The majority of e-commerce employees not only access the business website regularly but also require access to numerous other web applications and sites. Many people use simple passwords like a sequence of numerals or letters, which increases the risk of hacking as criminals can crack them easily. If a cybercriminal successfully hacks an employee&rsquo;s account, they may be able to access your data and that of your customers. Requiring your employees to use strong passwords can protect your business from <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-a-brute-force-attack-and-are-you-at-risk">brute force attacks</a>.&nbsp;
You can test the <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">strength of your passwords</a> and use a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a> to ensure that your passwords are secure. Do your employees share login details? Try TeamPassword&rsquo;s password management tool <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?_gl=1*1pfz5ua*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE2NTc1Njg3OTkuQ2owS0NRandsSy1XQmhEakFSSXNBTzJzRXJTUFY4LTNHdnRNT0gxY3dhYkRqWkVham43bm5IRjVTZkVqbERJWWVwMl9fdkgxT2lrdTI0MGFBcDFMRUFMd193Y0I.#signup/testimonial">free for 14-days</a>.
Many e-commerce sites require customers to create an account. This too can create vulnerabilities. Once cybercriminals create an account they are part of your online community and can potentially access sensitive data or negatively affect your credibility. To protect your business you should require everyone creating an account on your website to use a strong password. A minimum of 12 characters that combine numbers, letters, and special characters is best.

<h3 style="text-align: left;">Train Your Employees to Identify a Threat</h3>
Many organizations don't train their employees to detect cybersecurity threats.&nbsp;
Not all of your employees may be tech savvy or aware of cyber security risks. As a result, they might do something unintentionally like respond to a phishing email or download files that install malicious programs.&nbsp;
Criminals are becoming increasingly clever at finding ways to breach websites&rsquo; security in order to access sensitive data. <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-the-most-important-topic-your-team-can-learn-about-this-year">Educating your employees</a> to understand their methods in order to identify threats is essential to prevent cyberattacks and secure your online business.&nbsp;

<h3 style="text-align: left;">Scan your website regularly&nbsp;</h3>
Your website is the most crucial part of your online business as most transactions take place here. Many people visit your website for shopping, or to get information about your products. Hackers scan websites to identify ones that will be easier to exploit.&nbsp;
A little security lapse can put your website at great risk, as miscreants can access critical data or hack your website before you know they&rsquo;re there. Securing your e-commerce website plays a crucial role in online business security. A <a href="https://pentest-tools.com/website-vulnerability-scanning/website-scanner">regular scan</a> of your website helps detect vulnerabilities and bridge security gaps. This can be done internally or externally by a cybersecurity company.&nbsp;

<h3 style="text-align: left;">Have Security Policies in Place</h3>
A cybersecurity policy is essential for every organization. You need to adopt a security policy that meets the needs of your business and ensure everyone in the organization adheres to it.&nbsp;
How do you design a security policy? There are templates available online. However, hiring professional cybersecurity personnel is an excellent way to secure your online business, whether you add them to your payroll or contract with a cybersecurity provider. Cybersecurity professionals will have the ability to detect vulnerabilities in your website, make improvements, and recommend a security policy that is best suited for your business.&nbsp;
Remember that any hardware you connect to the Internet is vulnerable, not just your computer. Digital ordering tools, smart appliances, and your <a href="https://solink.com/resources/ultimate-guide-to-pos-security/" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener" class="sh-color-blue sh-color">point of sale (POS) system</a> can all be hacked. &nbsp;

<h3 style="text-align: left;">Don't Store Customer's Sensitive Information</h3>
When you run an e-commerce business, you will have access to users' personal and payment details. Storing customers' credit card information and other sensitive information in your database can be a threat to your online business&rsquo; security as it may attract cybercriminals to your site and expose you to a breach.
Instead of storing the credit card information yourself, hire a third party to manage the financial transaction. Many <a href="https://www.shopify.com/">third-party e-commerce platforms</a> provide top-of-the-line protection and are easy to implement.&nbsp;

<h3 style="text-align: left;">Backup Your Data</h3>
You can implement the best online security policies, but still, you may not be able to mitigate the risk completely. Preparing for the worst situation is a wise way to reduce the impact of a cyberattack.&nbsp;
In the event that a hacker takes over your website and other applications, you may lose some data forever. It is wise to backup both your and your customers&rsquo; critical data. Even though it won't help in preventing the attacks, backing up your data will ensure you don't lose it forever.

Conclusion:&nbsp;

Online business is a lucrative profession that allows you to sell your products or services to customers from another part of the country or even abroad. However, it involves cybersecurity threats as well.&nbsp;
To succeed in this business, you have to ensure your website, mobile application, and other online tools are secure.&nbsp;
A security breach can damage your reputation, and your competitors will exploit the opportunity. You must take measures to mitigate the risks and ensure the safety of customers' data.&nbsp;
We have discussed a few tips to help you secure online business. Implementing these will help you minimize the risk and earn your customer's trust.

Online businesses can be lucrative, but they come with the risk of cyberattacks. These simple steps will help protect your online business.

Online businesses can be lucrative, but they come with the risk of cyberattacks. How can you ensure online ...

How To Secure Your Online Business Against Cyberattacks?

Online businesses can be lucrative, but they come with the risk of cyberattacks. How can you ensure online business security? This article is a comprehensive guide to help you secure your online business and prevent a potential cyber-attack.

Consider a typical day at a digital marketing agency. How many client and company accounts do you think you log into over the course of a day? Ten? Twenty? Amongst all the employees at a digital marketing agency, there could be hundreds of logins each day into private accounts. And that&rsquo;s why password protection for digital agencies should be a top priority and not an afterthought.
Unfortunately, many digital marketing agencies fail to follow password management best practices. Perhaps the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-state-of-the-password-problem-in-2021">most concerning example</a> of poor password management is that nearly <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/world-password-day-the-first-thursday-in-may">70% of all Americans use the same password</a> for multiple accounts, at home and at work. And when you consider that over <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/world-password-day-the-first-thursday-in-may">80% of all data breaches result from poor password</a> security, the potential for a data breach in a digital marketing agency is monumental.
For the safety and reputation of your company, as well as the security of the many client accounts accessed on a daily basis, password protection for digital agencies is a critical necessity. Thankfully, password management best practices are fairly easy to follow, and can significantly reduce the risk of a data breach.
<h2>Password Management Best Practices</h2>
Hackers and cybercriminals don&rsquo;t always choose random targets, and they don&rsquo;t just target large corporations as the media might make it seem. Instead, they target smaller businesses where the chances of a successful cyberattack are high. <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/top-5-security-threats-for-small-businesses">Digital marketing agencies are at particular risk</a> and a common target due to the high number of accounts a hacker might be able to access. Hackers are relying on employees not following password management best practices. Don&rsquo;t make it easy for them.
<h3>Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account</h3>
The first defense against a major data breach is using strong, unique passwords for each account. That way, even if one account is breached, the hacker will not have the password to access additional accounts. However, it is also important to realize that even user-generated passwords can be vulnerable &mdash; in fact, a Deloitte study revealed that over <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/90-percent-of-passwords-vulnerable-to-hacking-2013-1">90% of user-generated passwords are still vulnerable</a> to cyberattacks.
So how can digital marketing agencies combat cyber threats? Simply by using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/">password manager</a> to generate highly secure, encrypted passwords that help keep your accounts and critical data safe. More on using password managers in a bit. First, consider the next important step in password protection for digital agencies.
<h3>Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</h3>
You may have experienced <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/password-manager-with-2fa">2FA</a> already with some of your own personal accounts. But by enabling two-factor authentication on as many work accounts as possible, you can add an extra layer of password protection for digital agencies. Accounts enabled with 2FA make data much more secure and are a major deterrent to hackers.
Understandably, employees who aren&rsquo;t apt to change their passwords much probably aren&rsquo;t going to enjoy the extra login step required by 2FA either. But when used in conjunction with a strong password, 2FA offers additional protection against other <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/five-most-common-password-attacks">types of password attacks</a> such as social engineering and phishing attempts as well.
<h3>Don&rsquo;t Share Passwords with Anyone</h3>
Another important step in ensuring strong password protection for digital agencies is for all employees to avoid sharing passwords. Each employee should have their own unique password for every login or app. This makes it easier for IT admins to keep a good handle on security, and also ensures that only those who are authorized can access an account.
<h3>Do Not Access Private Accounts Using Public Wi-Fi</h3>
Much of today&rsquo;s workforce consists of <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/remote-work-isnt-just-a-trend-its-the-future">hybrid and remote workers</a>. Digital marketers working from home must take care to ensure that their Wi-Fi network is secure and that their systems and software are updated. Likewise, employees working in the field or while out on a lunch break must avoid using public Wi-Fi to log into accounts. It is too easy for hackers and cybercriminals to hijack data being sent over a public network.
<h3>Change Passwords on a Scheduled Basis</h3>
IT experts say it is a good idea to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-often-should-you-change-your-password-the-importance-of-password-safety">change passwords every 3 months</a>. Doing so serves two purposes:
<ul>
<li>It increases password protection for digital agencies.</li>
<li>It can help prevent a data breach if a password was discovered but an account has not yet been accessed.</li>
</ul>
Changing passwords often can cut off access to accounts by cybercriminals that have your password. If you suspect a device or an account has been compromised, change your password immediately.
<h3>Use a Password Manager</h3>
As we mentioned earlier, using a password manager serves a multitude of benefits. For starters, it eliminates the need for employees to attempt to remember a number of unique passwords. Password managers work by generating strong, unique passwords for each account, which are then stored in an encrypted account. Employees then need only remember one password to access the information in the password manager, which subsequently grants entry to the desired account.
Additionally, password managers are much more adept at generating strong passwords, using a long string of random upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, as opposed to words that make passwords weaker.
Password managers also make it easy to change passwords for multiple accounts as often as you&rsquo;d like. That means you can have all your employee&rsquo;s passwords changed without causing a ripple in productivity while still adhering to password management best practices.
<h2>How TeamPassword Can Help</h2>
TeamPassword is a business-oriented password manager specially designed to solve many of the security threats that small businesses and digital marketing agencies face daily. The biggest challenge, of course, is managing passwords and providing secure access to team members. TeamPassword solves these challenges and more with flexible password management to suit the size of your teams and your business.&nbsp; Protect your agency today with <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword's free 14-day trial</a>!

Password protection for digital agencies is essential as hackers continue to target businesses that work with multiple client accounts.

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

Password Protection Best Practices | TeamPassword

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

Password Protection Best Practices for Digital Agencies

While the digital marketing landscape affords marketers a wealth of opportunities to reach their intended audience, it also serves to attract unscrupulous individuals &mdash; the cybercriminal. You may also call them hackers, identity thieves, or other less savory names, but one thing about them will always remain true &mdash; they will continually strive to gain unauthorized access to your private accounts. And that&rsquo;s why for a professional in the digital marketing industry, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2021/07/30/why-marketers-should-care-about-cybersecurity/?sh=384e60e2c972">cybersecurity should be of the utmost importance</a>.
<h2>Data Breaches and the Digital Marketing Industry</h2>
Professionals in the digital marketing industry utilize a number of different strategies to attract, maintain, and grow a customer base for the brands they work for. That means a lot of data and a lot of online accounts. And that means the potential for some pretty large data breaches.
Should a cybercriminal gain access to even one private account, the potential for a massive loss of data can be exponential. Not only can customer data be compromised, since many brands store consumer data in a marketing database, but private and sensitive company information can be stolen and subsequently used for nefarious purposes.
Companies of all sizes in all industries have been told by both cybersecurity experts and the United States government to ensure that they are adequately prepared to defend their networks, systems, and data from cyberthreats. But even if a company is lax in ensuring proper cybersecurity protocols are followed, digital marketers can still do their part to keep consumer and company data safe.
<h2>How the Digital Marketing Industry Can Practice Strong Cybersecurity</h2>
Companies can employ many methods to erect a strong cybersecurity defense, such as firewalls, anti-malware software, and threat monitoring. But ultimately, it is still up to each individual employed at a company, whether in-office or working remotely, to maintain their own levels of strong cybersecurity. That&rsquo;s because even the mightiest of defenses can be brought down by a single employee mistake due to a lack of proper cybersecurity knowledge.
In fact, employee negligence is responsible for over <a href="https://cybelangel.com/negligent-data-breaches/">90% of all data breaches</a>. It could simply be something as simple as using a weak password, falling victim to a phishing email, or accidentally downloading malware. Regardless, many data breaches could easily be avoided if individuals followed a few common-sense cybersecurity rules.
<h3>Keep Your Website Secure</h3>
A company website can easily fall victim to cyberattacks if not properly maintained and protected. And if a cybercriminal manages to breach one part of a website, it is usually just a matter of moments before they are able to gain access to the remainder of the site and steal a wealth of information. The data they acquire can be anything from consumer credit card information to website data and much more.
Keep websites protected with <a href="https://www.optiv.com/cybersecurity-dictionary/iga-identity-governance-and-admin">IGA</a> or <a href="https://duo.com/product/multi-factor-authentication-mfa/two-factor-authentication-2fa">2FA</a>. Additionally, utilize a web application firewall to detect and prevent many types of cyber threats.
<h3>Protect Social Media Accounts</h3>
Social media, of course, plays a very large role in digital marketing. And unfortunately, social media platforms don&rsquo;t always have the best cybersecurity to protect private accounts. To help add an extra level of cybersecurity to social media accounts, digital marketing professionals should utilize a strong, unique password for each account.
<h3>Protecting Email Accounts</h3>
Despite many obvious red flags, a study revealed that over <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/08/identify-a-phishing-attack.html">95% of employees</a> are still unable to successfully spot a phishing email. Each year, not only do phishing attacks increase, but they also become more sophisticated. Digital marketing experts must be trained in the <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams">identification and detection of a phishing attack</a> so that a potential data breach can be avoided.
Additionally, email accounts must also be protected with strong, unique passwords. Account holders must also be careful to never click on a link or download an attachment provided from an untrusted source.
<h2>The Importance of Strong Passwords for Cybersecurity</h2>
As you may have realized, the use of strong, unique passwords plays a central theme in practicing good cybersecurity. That&rsquo;s because, while there are many different things that play a role in a strong cybersecurity program, unique passwords are often the first line of defense against cybercriminals. And since digital marketing experts work with a multitude of different accounts, proper password protocol is especially important.
According to Verizon&rsquo;s 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report, poor password security contributes to <a href="https://kommandotech.com/statistics/weak-password-statistics/">81% of all data breaches</a>. And, many employees still insist on using the same weak password for multiple accounts. That&rsquo;s because, understandably, people just don&rsquo;t like having to keep track of a different password for each account. But that&rsquo;s also exactly what cybercriminals rely on. And when a cybercriminal manages to acquire the password for one account, they&rsquo;ll also manage to access all your other private accounts as well.
But digital marketing experts can solve this problem by using a password manager like TeamPassword. A password manager creates a strong, unique password for each private account and stores them in a secure location only accessed by a single password. That makes it easy for digital marketers to maintain a strong password for each account without having to remember them all or write them down (another cybersecurity no-no), subsequently keeping all their accounts better protected from cybercriminals.
Whether you&rsquo;re working exclusively for one brand, providing digital marketing services for several companies, or working as part of a team, you&rsquo;ll greatly benefit from a professional password manager and stronger cybersecurity. Protect your team and your private accounts today by signing up for a TeamPassword trial free for 14-days.
&nbsp;

Digital marketers use a multitude of accounts, making proper password protocol essential. These cybersecurity rules will help keep you safe.

Poor password security contributes to 81% of all data breaches. And since digital marketing experts work with a ...

The Importance of Cybersecurity in Digital Marketing

Poor password security contributes to 81% of all data breaches. And since digital marketing experts work with a multitude of different accounts, proper password protocol isn't just important - it's essential. Many data breaches could easily be avoided if individuals followed a few of these common-sense cybersecurity rules.

Cloud computing has seen rapid adoption since 2020, with more people working remotely than ever before. One interesting study highlighted that <a href="https://www.snowsoftware.com/blog/how-new-normal-changing-cloud-usage-and-strategy">80% of IT leaders</a> had increased their overall cloud usage. However, while this technology has undoubtedly changed the way organizations operate for the greater good, this has come at a cost, with IT teams having far less control and access.

One issue many businesses are struggling with is weak passwords, and while most companies acknowledge that this is a security risk, only <a href="https://www.insightsforprofessionals.com/it/cloud/state-of-cloud-security-infographic">35% of companies</a> are concerned about the accidental exposure of credentials.

So, why should you pay close attention to password hygiene? Here are some reasons:

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">&ldquo;123456&rdquo; and &ldquo;qwerty&rdquo; are still some of the most commonly used passwords worldwide and can be cracked in less than a second (<a href="https://cybernews.com/best-password-managers/most-common-passwords/">Cybernews</a>)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Around 31% of users update their passwords at least 1 &ndash; 2 times a year, while only 18.5% change theirs even if they&rsquo;re notified of any security issues (<a href="https://digitalguardian.com/blog/uncovering-password-habits-are-users-password-security-habits-improving-infographic">Digital Guardian</a>)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Three-quarters of Americans struggle to keep track of their credentials (<a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/gweb-uniblog-publish-prod/documents/PasswordCheckup-HarrisPoll-InfographicFINAL.pdf">Google</a>)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The FBI highlighted that $4.2 billion was lost in 2020 due to cybercrime, increasing the five-year total to $13.3 billion (<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2020_IC3Report.pdf">The IC3</a>)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">61% of breaches involved credential data (<a href="https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/2021-data-breach-investigations-report.pdfx">Verizon</a>)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">55% of IT security practitioners don&rsquo;t utilize 2FA in the workplace (<a href="https://dataprot.net/statistics/password-statistics/">Dataprot</a>)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h2>How do cybercriminals steal passwords?</h2>

Hackers are more motivated than ever and will do whatever it takes to get their hands on your money. <a href="https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/2021-data-breach-investigations-report.pdfx">Verizon&rsquo;s 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report</a> shows that SMBs with less than 1,000 employees recorded 1,037 incidents and 93% of such breaches were financially motivated.&nbsp;

So, <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/five-most-common-password-attacks">what techniques do cybercriminals use</a> to compromise users&rsquo; passwords?&nbsp;

<h3>Social engineering</h3>
This involves threat actors preying on vulnerable employees and psychologically manipulating them into sharing confidential data. One of the most popular social engineering methods used by hackers is phishing.&nbsp;


<h3>Brute force attacks</h3>
From a hacker&rsquo;s perspective, brute force attacks are easy to launch and don&rsquo;t require a lot of effort. Criminals typically use trial and error tactics to decipher passwords or PINs through automated tools that test a large number of password combinations. These tools can crack weak passwords in a matter of minutes.


<h3>Dictionary attacks</h3>
Dictionary attacks &ndash; a type of brute force tactic &ndash; involve inputting commonly used words or phrases as a password, but they aren&rsquo;t strictly limited to a wordlist. Instead, they can also include names of people you know or a sports team you support. These are based on information easily found online through online profiles

However, this method isn&rsquo;t as successful against passwords containing numbers, symbols, and a mixture of lowercase and uppercase letters.&nbsp;


<h3>Credential stuffing attacks</h3>
Bad actors typically purchase lists of leaked usernames and passwords and feed these into a botnet, which attempts several logins across multiple websites in one attempt.&nbsp;

With more than <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/07/08/new-dark-web-audit-reveals-15-billion-stolen-logins-from-100000-breaches-passwords-hackers-cybercrime/">15 billion login credentials from 100,000 breaches</a> circulating on the dark web, it&rsquo;s not surprising that credential stuffing attacks have grown in popularity among cybercriminals. <a href="https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2021/05/20/financial-services-credential-stuffing/">Research from Help Net Security</a> detected some 193 billion credential stuffing attacks worldwide in 2020, with the financial services industry, in particular, suffering the most and reporting around 3.4 billion incidents &ndash; an increase of 45% YoY in the sector.
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Secty%2B+course&amp;rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB975GB976&amp;ei=NGy0YpeFGNLqgQbx_afIBg&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiX78nA2MP4AhVSdcAKHfH-CWkQ4dUDCA4&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=Secty%2B+course&amp;gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBAgAEA0yBAgAEA0yBAgAEA0yBAgAEA0yBAgAEA0yBAgAEA0yBAgAEA0yBggAEB4QDTIGCAAQHhANMgYIABAeEA06BwgAEEcQsAM6BggAEB4QFjoJCAAQHhDJAxAWOgUIABCSA0oECEEYAEoECEYYAFClCFjPC2DXDGgCcAF4AIAB3wGIAaIGkgEFMS4yLjKYAQCgAQHIAQjAAQE&amp;sclient=gws-wiz" rel="follow"><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/daJiCLeTOe3gnOFxJXPw" alt="undefined" width="560" height="400" style="font-family: sans-serif;" /></a>
Image Credit: <a href="http://&lt;a href=&quot;https//www.freepik.com/vectors/safe-internet&quot;&gt;Safe internet vector created by jcomp - www.freepik.com&lt;/a&gt;" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">freepik.com</a>
<h2>How to enforce strong password hygiene</h2>
To protect your accounts and organization against cyberattacks, you and your employees need to practice good password hygiene. Consider adopting these tips below:&nbsp;

<h3>1. Encourage employees not to reuse passwords&nbsp;</h3>
In 2019, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2019/12/06/microsoft-finds-password-security-problem-affecting-44-million-users/">Microsoft&rsquo;s threat research team</a> analyzed a database that contained 3 billion breached login credentials and identified 44 million Microsoft users who had reused the same passwords.

Therefore, it&rsquo;s essential employees don&rsquo;t reuse the same password across multiple accounts &ndash; no matter how complex it is &ndash; because if one account is compromised, the rest are at risk too.&nbsp;


<h3>2. Create a unique password for every account</h3>
A crucial part of password hygiene is making sure you and your employees create a unique passcode for every account. Don&rsquo;t use words or phrases found in the dictionary or online, and avoid any sequences such as 123 or 2468.

Consider creating memorable passphrases that contain a minimum of 12 characters and a mixed combination of lowercase and uppercase letters, symbols, and numbers.&nbsp;

For instance, let&rsquo;s hypothetically say you&rsquo;re a Liverpool supporter and you watched your side thump Manchester United 5-0 at Old Trafford back in October 2021.&nbsp;

Something like &lsquo;Liverpool FC beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in October 2021&rsquo; could translate to lFc_Bmu@oTi1021.

Not only is this passphrase complex and more memorable, but it&rsquo;s also extremely difficult for bad actors to crack, which can significantly reduce the risk of a breach.&nbsp;

However, depending on the number of accounts you possess, manually updating every single password may not always be feasible, so it&rsquo;s worth using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator tool</a> to protect your data.


<h3>3. Get into the habit of reviewing and updating passwords</h3>
Most security experts recommend <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-often-should-i-change-my-password?r=US&amp;IR=T">changing your password every few months</a>, particularly if your accounts have been compromised without you realizing it.

To achieve this, you need to develop a strong security culture. Make sure you provide regular security awareness training and educate your employees about password security. In doing so, they&rsquo;ll know what&rsquo;s expected of them, and you&rsquo;ll significantly reduce the likelihood of someone creating a weak password and exposing your business to bad actors.


<h3>4. Deploy multi-factor authentication (MFA)</h3>
Whatever industry you&rsquo;re in, multi-factor authentication is arguably one of the most important security tools out there, and it can better protect your passwords from cybercriminals.

MFA strengthens the login process by requesting users to provide three pieces of information. For instance, you may be asked to provide a password, an SMS code, and a photo of yourself to verify your identity.

Considering that most people reuse the same passwords, not only will MFA stop cybercriminals from accessing their accounts, but it&rsquo;ll significantly reduce the likelihood of a security breach.&nbsp;


<h3>5. Use a password manager</h3>
Let&rsquo;s face it: our memory isn&rsquo;t perfect. That&rsquo;s why most of us use memorable phrases or words as our passwords and make a note of them. Sadly, neither of these are good practice and can do more harm than good.

With employees already<a href="https://dataprot.net/statistics/password-statistics/"> spending around 12.6 minutes per week inputting or resetting passwords</a>, according to Ponemon Institute, simplifying password management is more important than ever for security and productivity, especially in the era of remote/hybrid work.

Here are a few reasons why you should adopt a password manager to strengthen your password hygiene:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password managers allow users to securely generate, manage and store complex passwords.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Login credentials are stored in an encrypted vault and adhere to the strongest encryption standards (AES 256-bit), meaning hackers won&rsquo;t be able to get through your defenses with brute-force techniques.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Some vendors provide dark web monitoring features that highlight whether your login details have been breached.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Final thoughts</h2>
Simply relying on employees to create unique and complex passwords isn&rsquo;t enough in today&rsquo;s cybersecurity world. Instead, IT leaders must educate and encourage the workforce to practice good password hygiene. By adopting the above five actions as part of your security strategy, you&rsquo;ll strengthen your defenses and ultimately prevent cybercriminals from gaining unauthorized access to your accounts.

From a security perspective, one weak password can weaken your defenses. Practice these good password hygiene tips to keep your team safe.

Despite much awareness, employees are still using easy-to-remember passwords, and to make matters worse, they’re also reusing them ...

5 Password Hygiene Tips to Stop Cybercriminals

Despite much awareness, employees are still using easy-to-remember passwords, and to make matters worse, they’re also reusing them across their personal and corporate accounts. Therefore, practicing good password hygiene is key in the fight against cybercriminals.

Digital marketing is a highly dynamic field where techniques and trends evolve quickly. As you build a digital marketing strategy that&rsquo;s comprehensive and effective, it&rsquo;s important to consider a range of tactics to discover what works for your brand.&nbsp;

After all, digital marketing has grown in importance in recent years, taking up <a href="https://www.gartner.com/en/marketing/research/annual-cmo-spend-survey-research" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">72% of marketing budgets today</a>. Here are some insider tips and techniques to take your digital marketing the extra mile. Remember that every company is unique, so be sure to tailor these ideas to your own brand&rsquo;s needs and audience.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/GbZembBTQyxVSBPNFCAJ" alt="undefined" width="645" height="430" />
Source: <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/office-concept-illustration_6610842.htm#page=2&amp;position=5&amp;from_view=author" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Freepik</a>
<h1>11 tips to take your digital marketing strategy to the next level</h1>
Let&rsquo;s walk you through some of our favorite digital marketing strategies so you have some new tricks up your sleeve for this year&rsquo;s campaigns.&nbsp;

<h2>1. Aim for your content to be share-worthy</h2>
Never produce content just for the sake of it. Everything you make should pass the &ldquo;share-worthy&rdquo; test, so you&rsquo;re actually adding value for your potential customers.&nbsp;

Consider generating top-notch content such as in-depth blogs, podcasts, webinars, white papers, educational materials, and more. You might even team up with an expert to achieve higher quality in your digital materials. Ask yourself, &ldquo;Would I share this?&rdquo; If the answer is no, try to create something you would. If you won&rsquo;t, why would anyone else?
<h2>2. Leverage multi-channel campaigns</h2>
We live in the age of endless options &ndash; and digital marketing channels are no different. It&rsquo;s important to manage multi-channel campaigns since customers check several mediums before trusting a brand. Create campaigns that work across email, mobile, social media, paid search, direct mail, radio/TV, etc. in order to break through the noise of marketing today.

For example, you can work with email marketing companies to create a summer newsletter email campaign that is timed with a social media push, themed landing pages, and radio ads, in order to elevate the potential of your campaign.

You can integrate traditional marketing with digital and also complement your digital campaigns by sending flyers, catalogs, and other printed materials to your customers through direct mail. This is an extremely powerful combination. Print <a href="https://cash4toners.com/info/2019/02/10/why-print-matters/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">works</a>!

<h2>3. Hire a visuals guru</h2>

It only takes a second for potential customers to form an opinion about your website. Images and design play a key role in ensuring an enthusiastic first impression.

If you don't already have one, partner with a visuals guru (i.e. <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/first-5-marketing-roles-for-your-small-business-what-roles-do-you-need-to-hire" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">a graphics designer</a>) who can boost your images, infographics, web design, and <a href="https://www.webnode.com/blog/video-marketing-the-marketers-guide/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">video marketing</a> for all your assets.

<h2>4. Personalize at every opportunity&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
With the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/should-i-share-data-with-freelancers" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">customer data</a> available today, companies have a huge opportunity to target their content. It&rsquo;s vital to learn how to personalize certain types of content, offers, and recommendations according to your business&rsquo; audience. This way, you&rsquo;ll be able to personalize the journey for each unique segment of customers with greater success.

For example, you can edit your website so that it has several different landing pages for different segments, and then push these pages through unique social media posts.&nbsp;

<h2>5. Test all content in a mobile environment</h2>
Your digital marketing should be mobile-first, as the majority of users are connecting on their mobile devices. Be sure to check all content on a mobile testing platform and work with developers to get a high-performing site on mobile.&nbsp;

Pro tip: Get <a href="https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/7496737?hl=en" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)</a> for your website in order to optimize for mobile browsing, speed up load time and increase your Google ranking. 
<h2>6. Optimize your buyer journey</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/d8Y1sW4xRiKX8FMGmWRU" alt="undefined" width="500" height="500" />
<a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/journey-concept-illustration_10946454.htm#query=journey&amp;position=2&amp;from_view=search" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Source: Freepik</a>

Understanding the buyer's journey is also essential for long-term digital marketing. You should regularly be analyzing user behavior on your website through Google Analytics and tools like Crazy Eggs to understand how customers land on your shopping page.&nbsp;

With this behavioral data, you can optimize your digital marketing campaigns in order to create smoother flows to these pages. 
<h2>7. Don&rsquo;t forget about local SEO</h2>
The majority of digital marketers know how to improve SEO, but one area that&rsquo;s often overlooked is local SEO.

It&rsquo;s important to hook your local audiences with tailored keywords that use location words, events, and searches. Local SEO gets some of the best results, so be sure to incorporate it into your digital marketing strategy.

<h2>8. Go beyond SEO by tracking reach</h2>
As you listen to the customer and find out what&rsquo;s working, always track reach. This will give you a sense of what types of content and messaging are more powerful.&nbsp;

This will include reaching metrics such as engagements per month (viewed, liked, shared, downloads, open rates, etc.), 10 highest ranked content pieces by engagement and shares, month-over-month engagement metrics, etc.
<h2>9. Achieve tried-and-true customer service</h2>
There&rsquo;s no shortcut for cultivating great customer relationships through top service. Every interaction a customer has with your brand counts as &ldquo;service&rdquo; so be sure to consider how to support customers throughout their digital buyer experience. According to studies, <a href="https://123office.com/blog/millennial-statistics/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">about 75% of millennials</a> say they would pay more for a good customer experience. So take time to show these clients what makes you special when servicing them throughout their digital buyer journey.

Have customer service in place for digital marketing channels to answer questions, provide personalized recommendations and tackle service challenges that come up on your<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/sharing-social-media-credentials-with-teammates" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank"> social media feeds</a>.
<h2>10. Don&rsquo;t be afraid of repurposing content</h2>
Having content to share on a daily basis can be exhausting for content creation teams. Don&rsquo;t forget to take stock of what content you&rsquo;ve already made. It&rsquo;s perfectly fine (and smart!) to repurpose content by resharing it or recycling it in a new way.&nbsp;

For example, a blog post that had good traffic in the past could be reimagined as an infographic, video, or podcast episode. Be efficient with your team&rsquo;s time by finding ways to re-engage customers with the same content. Luckily there are lots of tools out there that will help your team to make <a href="https://internettools.net/video-editing-tools/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">great-looking videos</a> and <a href="https://siteefy.com/ai-writers/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">generate quality content</a> with minimal effort.

<h2>11. Take advantage of automation</h2>
Finally, automation can be your closest ally as a digital marketer. Every year, there are more channels and metrics to handle. Wherever possible, find ways to automate processes, so you can free up time and focus your efforts. You might automate:

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Social media post scheduling</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Email cart abandonment workflows</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Chatbots for social and web support</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Push notifications for certain web actions (i.e. on the purchase page)</li>
</ul>

Through these automated steps, you can get rid of repetitive tasks, better allocate resources and ensure your teams are maximizing their time every day.&nbsp;

<h2>Bonus tip: Boost your digital marketing strategy with the right tools </h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/7Fb7bVI4SIabYVK29j4d" alt="undefined" width="500" height="500" />
Source: <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/team-goals-concept-illustration_12704338.htm#query=target&amp;position=13&amp;from_view=author" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Freepik</a>
Finally, without the right tools, your digital marketing strategy may be impossible to manage. For every aspect of your strategy, ensure that you have the tools and technologies to support your team. This goes for top digital marketing tools (such as Sprout Social, Audiense, Ahrefs, Hotjar, etc.) as well as <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/9-best-tools-for-managing-freelancers" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">collaboration and management tools</a> such as Notion, Trello, Podio, and <a href="https://teampassword.com/">TeamPassword</a>.

With the ideal suite of tools, you can empower your team and start incorporating these digital marketing tips in no time!

Digital marketing is a highly dynamic field that is taking off! Over 72% of marketing budgets go to digital. Find out how to stay ahead.

Digital marketing is a highly dynamic field where techniques and trends evolve quickly. And it's taking off! Over ...

Improve Your Company's Digital Marketing with These Awesome Techniques

Digital marketing is a highly dynamic field where techniques and trends evolve quickly. And it's taking off! Over 72% of marketing budgets go to digital content. These tips will help your team get ahead.

There has been a dramatic increase in remote work in the past few years. While remote work has some exciting benefits, it can make the employees feel isolated. Most remote employees combine family and work responsibilities, so it's only natural that they may feel exhausted or lose motivation over time.&nbsp;

Remote team managers or employers of remote workers need to be aware of the effects of working remotely and ensure that their remote employees feel supported and valued for their numerous contributions to their organization.&nbsp;

Recent <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2020/11/16/new-research-says-remote-workers-want-more-appreciation-from-their-leaders-or-else/?sh=5608e04d5fa2">studies</a> have shown that when supervisors recognize employees for their effort, it helps motivate them to become more productive. Now that most companies and industries are at least embracing remote work in part, it is crucial to find ways to recognize your remote employees for their efforts.&nbsp;

Acknowledging remote workers can seem daunting at first, but it's pretty simple. This article discusses seven ways to recognize remote employees for their work.&nbsp;

<h2>Methods of Recognizing Your Remote Employees&nbsp;</h2>
<h3>Provide Them With Regular Feedback (Positive or Negative)</h3>
One of the ways you can engage your remote employees effectively and appreciate them is by communicating with them frequently. These conversations shouldn&rsquo;t just be weather chats. To recognize your remote workers effectively, you need to give them regular constructive feedback. Doing so gives the impression that their work matters and that their supervisor is invested in the work that they are doing.&nbsp; Regular communication also makes remote employees feel more secure, motivates them to be more productive, and improves any shortcomings noticed in their job performance.&nbsp;

When there is limited communication between you and your remote employees, they might be less productive or anxious. No matter what feedback you give your remote workers, comprehensive feedback will help them understand what value they're adding to the company and where they fit within it.&nbsp;
<h3>Call Them&nbsp;</h3>
Calling your remote employees during their work hours, on their phone or online, is an easy way of recognizing their good work. Place a call to them directly and thank them for their effort and service to the company. Do not make a habit of calling remote employees only when things go wrong or when you have more work to give them. Positive calls go a long way to improving morale.

Moreover, calling will show your remote employees that you value them as remote workers, promoting employee engagement in your company. Most remote workers understand how busy their managers and employers are, so the fact that you took time out to call will make them feel special and appreciated.
<h3>Create Professional Development Opportunities</h3>
Every employee (remote or otherwise) wants to grow professionally in their given field. When you provide an avenue for your remote employees to grow professionally, you acknowledge their worth in your company.&nbsp;

This proves to your remote workers that you want to see them succeed professionally and that you're invested in their professional growth. Your employees will benefit, but your company will be able to utilize their learning for the company&rsquo;s gain. It&rsquo;s a classic win-win situation.

Companies can create in-house training programs for their remote employees or choose from the various online certifications and courses that fit their remote workers and their roles in the company.

<h3>Stimulate Peer-to-Peer Recognition</h3>
Another great way to recognize your remote employees is to encourage peer-to-peer recognition. This method helps to boost employee engagement and builds a solid and healthy camaraderie among your employees.&nbsp;

You can acknowledge your remote employees' accomplishments by putting them on the company's group messaging platform. This will encourage other employees to recognize them. Being acknowledged by colleagues helps boost team morale.&nbsp;

Another great tactic is peer-to-peer collaboration. Have employees share their work often with each other for edits and reviews. Working together on projects, even if it's just to look things over, will help employees better understand what other people are working on and, more importantly, make them feel more involved in the company. This strategy will recognize employees that are doing well and encourage others to take notice of their colleagues&rsquo; contributions. Often, this leads to employees acknowledging one another themselves.&nbsp;

Stimulating peer-to-peer recognition helps supervisors ensure that the quality of work is high and can increase overall workplace chemistry.&nbsp;

<h3>Surprise Them With a Break</h3>
Most remote employees juggle work and family, leaving little to no time to care for themselves. Most remote workers work for longer hours than their on-site counterparts, and <a href="https://hbr.org/2017/11/a-study-of-1100-employees-found-that-remote-workers-feel-shunned-and-left-out">studies</a> have shown that they are more likely to feel lonely.&nbsp;

Therefore, if you have remote employees that work tirelessly and don't take breaks often, you can surprise them with a break. Tell them to take a day or two off to recharge and connect with their family and friends. Giving them this free time will make them feel happy and ensure that they are more energetic and productive when they return to work.&nbsp;

Short of a bonus or raise, giving remote employees time away from work is the most tangible way to recognize their hard work and contribution to the company.
<h3>Praise Remote Employees Publicly&nbsp;</h3>
Remote employees, like all employees, want to feel appreciated and valued by their employers. However, it can be challenging to praise remote employees publicly since they aren't in the office.&nbsp;

Nevertheless, you can use communication technology that would allow you to reach out to your remote employees easily. Many companies utilize messaging platforms like Slack and Discord for their remote teams.&nbsp;

If your company has one of these platforms, you can use it to express appreciation for a job well done by simply acknowledging the individual(s) who made it happen. Doing this will make your remote employees feel like an essential part of your company.&nbsp;

Recognizing your employees' achievements on social media platforms can help boost their confidence in the workspace. They can share the post on their page so that their family and friends can see that their work is valued. This increases their commitment to the team and can also grow your company&rsquo;s social media following. Start by welcoming new employees to the company publicly, then regularly post messages acknowledging jobs well done. Whether it's content creation, big sales deals, customer service excellence, or a development project - all jobs have value and should be celebrated!
<h3>Provide More Flexibility&nbsp;</h3>
The reason why most people love remote work is the freedom it affords them to work from anywhere. Do not force your remote workers to keep the same hours allocated to on-site employees.&nbsp;

Instead, try to be more flexible with their work hours and allow them to choose when they would be most effective. Your ability to provide more flexibility for your remote worker will convey to them that you appreciate and trust their choice.
<h2>Consistency is essential to effective employee acknowledgment</h2>
Creating an <a href="https://blog.bonus.ly/organizational-culture-definition">organizational culture</a> that acknowledges and recognizes the achievements of your remote employees isn&rsquo;t just &ldquo;best practice&rdquo;; it&rsquo;s critical. Employees are more likely to stay and grow in the company when they are recognized for their efforts.&nbsp;

Consistency and continuity are critical. An acknowledgment calendar that ensures equitable recognition across the team is one option, but other ways are less formal. What&rsquo;s important is that every employee knows what they need to do to receive praise and see those celebrations regularly. This will improve morale and helps incentivize employees to perform at their best.&nbsp;

Another suggestion is to include employees in the process. Encourage employees to nominate their peers or provide opportunities to vote on awards. Structure this carefully to not alienate a smaller team or sub-section of your workforce through the democratic process. While receiving recognition from peers is a powerful force, the opposite can be equally devastating.&nbsp;

Finally, the acknowledgment you provide has to be authentic. There are no participation trophies in business. Have clear goals or standards for employees to meet and use these in the praise that you give. That way, the objectives are reinforced, and the employee knows how they&rsquo;ve contributed to the bigger picture.

Acknowledging remote workers helps them feel like part of the team. Here are 7 ways you can recognize your remote employees today!

There has been a dramatic increase in remote work in the past few years. While remote work has ...

7 Ways to Acknowledge Remote Employees

There has been a dramatic increase in remote work in the past few years. While remote work has some exciting benefits, it can make the employees feel isolated. Acknowledging remote workers helps them feel like part of the team. This can seem daunting at first, but it's pretty simple. This article discusses seven ways to recognize remote employees for their work.

Team Password Blog | Author tony-caccavo | Page 1

In an increasingly digital world, we&rsquo;re switching more and more of our daily lives over to the Internet. While this brave new world is exciting and convenient, it&rsquo;s not without its problems.&nbsp;
The issue of unsafe passwords has been around for a while. But have you ever thought about where and how to store them?
Most of us have several passwords, and we&rsquo;re encouraged to never duplicate them. Some people simply write them all down on a piece of paper &mdash; which is fraught with danger. But others store their passwords electronically.
As you&rsquo;re about to find out, not all electronic systems of password storage are <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/blog/10-things-you-need-to-do-to-keep-passwords-safe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">safe</a>. Here are five of the most dangerous ways to store your passwords.&nbsp;
But before we begin:
Avoid bad idea passwords and dangerous storage methods with TeamPassword. This advanced <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/blog/why-you-need-a-password-manager" target="_blank" rel="noopener">password manager</a> features a selection of security features, including password encryption and two-step verification. Sign up for a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">free trial</a> today.&nbsp;

<h2>1. Email</h2>
Have you ever emailed yourself a password to ensure you&rsquo;re never without it? Great idea, right? Actually, emailing yourself your passwords is a really bad idea, and here&rsquo;s why:
<ul>
<li>Emails are usually sent in plain text. Without encryption, your passwords are susceptible if your email account is ever compromised.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Unsafe passwords sent via email often pass through several systems and servers. There&rsquo;ll also be a copy in your sent folder. If someone else can access your email account, your passwords become vulnerable.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Some email platforms store data locally on a drive. If someone steals your computer, phone, or tablet, your passwords become vulnerable.</li>
</ul>
A really bad idea for passwords is to send them via email &mdash; either to yourself or someone else. <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/blog/have-i-been-hacked-how-to-know-for-sure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hackers </a>and scammers are more resourceful than ever, and they can often steal your information before you realize you&rsquo;ve been compromised.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s tempting to send a quick email to yourself containing unsafe passwords when you sign up for new online services. For the sake of an extra minute or two, don&rsquo;t give fraudsters easy access to your accounts. Use an encrypted email vault to safeguard all your passwords.&nbsp;
<h2>2. Online Documents</h2>
A lot of people like the convenience of saving crucial information using online document systems such as Google Docs. But this is a bad idea for passwords, as these systems are designed for text &mdash; not sensitive data.
Yes, a password might protect your online document manager from unauthorized access. But what happens if that password is compromised? Many document software platforms don&rsquo;t offer encryption, two-step verification, or even the most basic security measures.&nbsp;
If you use online documents regularly, you&rsquo;re probably accessing your account on a regular basis &mdash; across several devices. What happens if you step away for a moment to buy a coffee, speak to a friend, or use the bathroom?
A criminal can access an unattended online document platform in seconds. And if this happens, it doesn't take a lot of effort to steal your unsafe passwords.&nbsp;
<h2>3. Instant Messaging Service</h2>
Instant messaging services provide us with a convenient way of staying in touch with friends and family. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Snapchat were designed for private online conversations &mdash; not for storing passwords.
People who store their passwords on these apps do so because they believe they&rsquo;re fully encrypted. While that&rsquo;s often the case, it&rsquo;s important to remember that instant messaging services are often left open and operating in the background.
Imagine someone picks up your phone while you&rsquo;re not paying attention. If you left your device unlocked, that person would be able to access your password in seconds.
It&rsquo;s always a bad idea when passwords are stored on instant messaging services. By nature, these apps are designed to operate in the background &mdash; alerting you when someone sends a message. And because they&rsquo;re open, anyone with the device in their hand might be able to steal your unprotected passwords.&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t fall into the trap of utilizing bad ideas for password storage. Sign up for a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free trial</a> with TeamPassword, and give your unsafe passwords the protection they require.
<h2>4. Online Note-taker</h2>
Developers design online note-takers for everyday lists and reminders. While they&rsquo;re great for creating to-do and shopping lists, they&rsquo;re not so good for storing unsafe passwords.&nbsp;
An app such as Apple Notes is easy to use, accessible, and convenient. But it doesn&rsquo;t offer two-step authentication, encryption, or any sophisticated form of security.&nbsp;
If your computer or mobile device is unlocked, your saved passwords are vulnerable. In many cases, a criminal would simply need to open the app to gain access to your sensitive information.&nbsp;
OK, you might be extra vigilant when it comes to keeping your phone or computer locked. But hackers are resourceful, and they&rsquo;re very good at discovering unsafe passwords. Once they access your phone, any passwords stored in your note-taking app become vulnerable.&nbsp;
<h2>5. On a Non-Password-Protected Device</h2>
Of all the bad ideas for passwords, storing them on non-password-protected devices is about the worst. You might think that your tablet or laptop never leaves your side. But if your device is ever stolen, you&rsquo;ve given the criminals the easiest possible opportunity to access your saved passwords.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re determined to store passwords on a physical device &mdash; which is never a good idea &mdash; make sure the device password is a complex combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. And it should contain at least 12 characters.&nbsp;
<h2>Use TeamPassword for Extra Protection</h2>
Remembering and safely storing a dozen or more passwords isn&rsquo;t a simple task. By locking away all your passwords in a digital vault, you get maximum protection and easy access.&nbsp;
TeamPassword offers a range of <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/security" target="_blank" rel="noopener">security features</a> &mdash; designed to keep your passwords safe. Offering two-step authentication and encryption, this powerful protection system solves the problem of unsafe passwords with ease. Sign up for a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free trial</a> to see these exciting features for yourself.&nbsp;

Storing passwords inappropriately can leave you open to fraud and theft. Avoid these storage methods at all costs. | TeamPassword Blog

Storing passwords inappropriately can leave you open to fraud and theft. Avoid these storage methods at all costs. ...

Top 5 Dangerous Ways to Store Your Passwords

Over the last decade, the gig economy boom has allowed professionals worldwide to switch to freelancing and build a network of international clients.&nbsp;
According to Upwork, 1 in 3 US workers engaged in freelance work during 2020. Some of the most successful freelancers earn hundreds of thousands of dollars per year through platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Does your company hire freelancers? How do you <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/should-i-share-data-with-freelancers">share passwords with freelancers</a>? TeamPassword is an affordable password management solution for small businesses, startups, and agencies to share credentials securely with team members and freelancers. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>10 Successful Freelancers</h2>
Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field with excellent track records&mdash;many have worked with the biggest companies in the world!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>1. Marcos Rezende - UX designer - Canada</h3>
Marcos Rezende is a UX Designer from Ontario, Canada, with more than 13 years of experience. Marcos has worked in over 30 industry sectors for multinational organizations in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Brazil.&nbsp;
Some of Marcos' notable projects include apps for Ontario's COVID-19 dashboard, Urban Master Planning collaboration platform, and Reaction (kid's e-learning app), to name a few.&nbsp;
Marcos loves sharing his industry expertise with aspiring UX designers and regularly writes for the popular UX publication Career Foundry. Total recognizes Marcos as part of its "Top 3%" of global freelancer talent&mdash;a title given to elite freelancers in their given field.
We don't have access to Marcos' rates, but the best UX designers on Upwork earn upwards of $100 per hour. As a Toptal Top 3% freelancer, Marcos likely charges $200-$300 per hour.
<a href="https://www.marcosrezende.com/">Marcos Rezende's website</a> was nominated for the prestigious <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/sites/ux-portfolio-marcos-rezende">awwwards.</a> in 2021.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>2. Kathy Edens - Marketing Consultant / Freelance Copywriter - United States</h3>
<a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~016177d19f0624c1a7?viewMode=1">Kathy Edens is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with over $300k platform earnings! Kathy has been self-employed as a marketing consultant and freelance copywriter for almost ten years from her home in Ohio, United States.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing and Psychology from Oregon State University, which she says "...helps me understand how to reach your target audience with words."&nbsp;
Kathy has ghost-written several non-fiction books on various topics, including social entrepreneurship, healthcare, real estate investing, and the cannabis industry, to name a few.
Kathy also writes web content, sales pages, email marketing content, case studies, white papers, brochures, press releases, and more. Kathy's rates start at $86 per hour for her writing and marketing services.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>3. Koen van Oeveren - UX designer - Netherlands</h3>
Koen van Oeveren is a freelance UI &amp; UX designer from North Brabant, Netherlands, with almost ten years of experience. Koen works with several design agencies in the Netherlands, designing apps, websites, and eCommerce experiences for many international brands.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Koen holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Communication and Multimedia Design from Avans University in the Netherlands. Koen's <a href="https://www.koenvo.com/index.html">portfolio website Koenvo</a> was nominated for a <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/sites/koenvo-ui-ux-portfolio">2021 awwwards. Award</a>.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>4. Pascal Strasche - Product / UX designer - Germany</h3>
Pascal Strasche is a product and UX designer with more than ten years of design experience from Germany. He holds a Master of Arts in Interaction Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, both from HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
For almost a year over 2020/2021, Pascal worked as the sole product designer to design Con Cubo's SaaS tool that helps complex organizations visualize and manage teams. He's also worked with German steel giant XOM Materials to find product solutions to digitalize&nbsp;Germany's steel industry.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
In 2019, Pascal founded Product Design Resources, a growing archive of 800+ design resources, weekly updated for the design community.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>5. Paul Hunkin - Developer - New Zealand</h3>
Paul Hunkin is a freelance software consultant and developer from Tauranga, New Zealand, but currently living in Portugal.&nbsp;
Paul has over ten years of experience as a software developer with an impressive work history, including Google, NASA, InfoSys, and the Chinese aerospace industry leader COMAC.
He's worked with several early-stage startups designing everything from high-performance big-data systems to complex web applications to 3D rendering engines. He's also built a lot of the foundational code for independent games on Android.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Paul is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. His rates start at $120 per hour for software development. <a href="https://paulh.consulting/">Check out Paul's website</a> for more about his impressive portfolio and work history.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>6. Jana Galat - Writer / Brand Strategist - Canada</h3>
Jana Galat is a freelance copywriter and brand strategist from Ontario, Canada. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Organizational Studies from King's University College and an Honors in Business Administration from Western University.
Jana has extensive experience writing landing pages, email campaigns, social media ads, and print materials and says, "I am obsessed with creating copy that sells..."
After several years of professional work experience, Jana went freelance in 2019 and has quickly built a reputation as a <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01bfa17a48301876dd">Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with over $70k in platform earnings. Jana's rates start at $100 per hour for copywriting and brand consulting.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>7. Padcha Uaarisakkul - Brand / Creative Consultant - United States</h3>
Padcha Uaarisakkul is a freelance brand and creative consultant from Los Angeles, United States. Padcha worked at The Walt Disney Company for six years, where she managed Licensing &amp; Brand Partnerships for Pixar.
She holds a Master's degree, Marketing Communications from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Advertising from California State University.
Padcha's skillset includes brand strategy, creative concepting, marketing communications, pitch development, and design&mdash;specializing in consumer packaged goods, entertainment, nonprofit, startup, and tech.
Padcha is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer, and her rates start at $120 per hour. You can find out more about Padcha on her <a href="https://www.padcha.me/">website</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/padcha/">LinkedIn page</a>.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>8. Xhensila Zemblaku - Art Director - Canada</h3>
Xhensila Zemblaku is a freelance art director, UX/UI designer, and illustrator from Markham, Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ryerson University with almost ten years of experience.
Xhensila has been a freelancer for most of her professional career and earned over <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01a08d1fcc6ea8fbcb">$400k on Upwork</a>, completed over 150 jobs, and 4,663 hours!&nbsp;
Xhensila's work includes typography, print design, UX/UI design, web, and mobile design. She's a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer currently charging $200 per hour for various creative gigs.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>9. Tanya Litvinova - UX/UI Designer - United States</h3>
Tanya Litvinova is a freelance UX/UI designer from New York City, United States. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design / Communication Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Tanya specializes in product, mobile, and web design as well as user experience flow, research, and validation.
"I have a passion to make the complex simple, shape behavior, design, plan, and strategize. Aiming for the best user experience, all the while balancing the needs of business and technology to create engaging, habit-forming digital products."
Tanya has worked with Fortune 100 &amp; Fortune 500 companies and successfully delivered business-transforming data-driven analytics, responsive BI dashboards, enterprise web apps, and management systems. Some of Tanya's notable clients include KOCH Industries, BlackRock Financial, BCG Group, and FireEye, to name a few.
<a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0165035041b26e96df">Tanya is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with more than $200k platform earnings. Her current rate starts at $162.50 per hour.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>10. Guangming Lang - Data Scientist - United States</h3>
Guangming Lang is a freelance data scientist from Michigan, United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from New College of Florida and a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan. Guangming has also completed several Coursera courses in data science and machine learning.
Guangming has been a freelancer since 2013 and has worked across several industries, including fintech, trading, medicine, biotech, advertising, and HR.&nbsp;
Guangming is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. He's completed 216 jobs on Upwork totaling 3,805 hours! Guangming's current rates start at $200 per hour.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Secure Freelancer Workflows With TeamPassword</h2>
No matter how talented or reputable the freelancers and contractors you hire, your company must use secure workflows to protect your digital assets.
Freelancers often need access to shared accounts and tools. Using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> is the first step to securing these accounts and platforms. You can also use a password manager to share credentials with employees, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure you never expose raw passwords via email, spreadsheets, chat apps, and other non-secure methods.
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> lets you create groups to share access with only those who need it. When they're done, revoke access with a single click. No need to change passwords every time someone leaves the team.
If you do need to change a password, TeamPassword's built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a> lets you create secure passwords between 12-32 characters using numbers, letters (uppercase/lowercase), and symbols.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Ready to onboard clients and freelancers securely with TeamPassword's robust <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password management solution</a>? <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a free trial</a> to secure your company's digital assets today!

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

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

10 extremely successful freelancers and what they do

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

Usernames are essential for security and anonymity online. But some people come up with username ideas to stand out or align with a brand. Usernames can also help gain followers or build a social media following.
With so many possibilities, coming up with username ideas can be challenging! Luckily, there are plenty of tools and methods to create unique usernames.
Whether you're aiming for fame or privacy, we have username ideas to help you create unique usernames easily!
Using unique credentials (including passwords and usernames) can mitigate many cybersecurity vulnerabilities. When paired with a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager like TeamPassword</a>, strong usernames and passwords can protect you against attacks. Sign up for a 14-day free TeamPassword trial today!
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Why You Need to Use Unique Usernames</h2>
There are several reasons people want unique usernames ideas:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Security</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Anonymity</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Popularity</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Humor</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Business name ideas</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Unique Usernames for Security</h3>
Many people don't know about the importance of using unique or secure usernames for online security. Reusing usernames can be just as troublesome as <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/colonial-pipeline-ransomware-attack-dont-reuse-passwords">reusing passwords</a>.
If criminals steal your credentials from a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/category/data-breaches">data breach</a>, they can use your username to figure out where else you have accounts and deploy spear-phishing attacks using fake correspondence to steal your credentials.
For example, hackers sending you a "password reset" from Instagram because they "suspect suspicious activity!" If you use unique usernames for every account, the attackers won't find your Instagram profile!
Don't think that you won't fall for these ploys! Many individuals with regular cybersecurity training fall victim to phishing attacks.
In effect, unique usernames act as a second password, preventing anyone from finding your accounts with a single username.
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Unique Usernames for Anonymity</h3>
Aligned with security is anonymity. Maintaining anonymity online can protect you from cyberattacks and prevent work colleagues, clients, and other companies or individuals from finding you online.
Many people want to separate their professional profiles from their personal ones while maintaining an online presence. Using unique usernames can hide the profiles you prefer to keep private.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Unique Usernames for Fame, Popularity, Attention</h3>
A good Instagram username can help you stand out and boost your online presence. If your username is unique or obscure, it could lead to more profile clicks and followers.
A good example is French Connection UK or @FCUK. At first glance, the username looks like an expletive, drawing people's attention to the brand.
People often use made-up words, obscure combinations, and other naming conventions to grab attention online.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Unique Usernames for Humor</h3>
Humor is another reason people often want unique username ideas. For example, @PickledElephantTusk is sure to get people's attention and perhaps a chuckle at the ridiculousness.
Funny usernames are great for social media profiles, but you might want to avoid these if you're trying to aim for security or anonymity!
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Business Name Ideas</h3>
Most startups want a unique brand name, including URL and social media usernames. Startups can ensure that every digital touchpoint is unique to their brand by choosing an available unique username first.
While using the same username is necessary for branding on social media channels, companies should always choose different, unidentifiable usernames for non-public accounts&mdash;email marketing apps, keyword research tools, productivity tools, accounting apps, etc.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>How Can You Get Unique Usernames Ideas?</h2>
There are many places you go for unique username ideas. Here are a few of our best sources for inspiration:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Pinterest</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Username generators</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Google Search - type a word and look through the autocompletes. This is also an excellent way to find trending usernames</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Instagram hashtags</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>Here are a Couple of Methods for Thinking of Great Usernames Ideas</h2>
If you're looking for inspiration, here are three methods for coming up with great username ideas. We've included processes for creativity, speed, and security.
<h3>Creating Your Own Unique Usernames</h3>
The best way to create unique username ideas is by combining two or three mismatched words with a number. First, come up with two or three categories, and then pick a word from each.
For example, let&rsquo;s choose the two categories fish, and US State:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">US State: Idaho</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Fish: Pufferfish</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Number: 13</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">@IdahoPufferfish13</li>
</ul>
You can come up with funny and cute usernames using this method. It's also a fantastic creative exercise some people might find entertaining.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Use a Username Generator</h3>
If you don't want to waste time coming up with usernames yourself, a username generator is a fantastic option to create unique usernames fast!
Some username generator tools will let you add a prefix, suffix, or number and randomize the rest. This method works well if you're trying to find unique username ideas for a specific industry, like fitness, health, tech, etc.
Some username generators even provide a social media search function to see if your unique username is available on the relevant platforms&mdash;providing you speed and efficiency!
Random username generators are also excellent for security because you avoid familiarity, making it less likely for attackers to find you.
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Use a Password Generator</h3>
Password generators are great for creating unique username ideas. Password generators produce random strings with letters and numbers, significantly reducing the possibility of someone identifying you.
Try creating a username with TeamPassword's password generator:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Visit our <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">free password generator</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Deselect symbols (most platforms don't allow symbols in the username. Keep this selected if your platform does allow it!)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Our password generator only allows a minimum of 12 characters. If you need a shorter user name, drop the characters you don't need</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Copy/paste your random username to use when signing up for a new account</li>
</ol>
Remember to use our password generator with uppercase, lowercase, symbols, and numbers to create a secure unique password.&nbsp;
TeamPassword's password manager features a built-in password generator that suggests and pastes a strong password into forms during signup or resets. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a free 14-day free trial</a> to start managing your usernames and passwords securely.
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>How You Can Secure Your Accounts Using a Password Manager</h2>
Usernames and passwords are the keys to your individual and company accounts. These credentials prevent attackers from breaching your devices, networks, social media, apps, financial services, and more.
Most companies have hundreds of accounts requiring authentication daily. Often team members need to share access, especially for social media, research tools, productivity apps, store accounts, and marketing tools, to name a few.
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/secure-password-sharing">Sharing credentials</a> over email, chat, or via spreadsheets exposes your company, clients, employees, and users to many cybersecurity risks. In some states and countries, sharing passwords this way is illegal!
Using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> is a secure and efficient way to store and share your company's credentials.
Here are five reasons to choose TeamPassword for your company:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Affordable - Enterprise-grade password managers are often expensive. TeamPassword provides small businesses, agencies, and startups with an affordable password management solution.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Secure - TeamPassword is an <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-password-encryption-and-how-much-is-enough">accredited secure hosting provider</a> using state-of-the-art encryption technology. We store your passwords using AES-256, trusted by US government agencies and many other organizations globally.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Efficient - Share and revoke access in TeamPassword with a single click. Quickly create passwords using our built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">secure password generator</a>.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Scalable - TeamPassword's plans scale with your business. Start with as few as five members and upgrade your plan as your workforce expands.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Flexible - Employees can sign into accounts using TeamPassword's Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browser extensions&mdash;catering to both Apple and Windows users.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>Password Management With TeamPassword</h2>
TeamPassword makes it easy and secure to share credentials with employees, clients, freelancers, and contractors. Everyone gets a separate TeamPassword login to manage access and monitor activity.
TeamPassword encrypts your passwords, making it impossible for employees (or even TeamPassword staff) to preview raw credentials.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Sharing Access With Groups</h3>
Add your team to TeamPassword and create groups to share access to your various accounts. If an employee, contractor, or freelancer leaves the team, simply remove them from the group&mdash;no need to worry about changing passwords!
If you're an agency working with multiple clients and accounts, one TeamPassword account is all you need! Just increase your plan accordingly.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Activity Logging</h3>
Keep track of TeamPassword activity, just like an enterprise password manager does. Monitor logins, password changes, credential sharing, and more to spot suspicious activity.
TeamPassword also lets you set up email notifications&mdash;helpful in monitoring sensitive accounts or specific actions, like sharing or adding new users.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</h3>
Enabling 2FA on your TeamPassword account prevents attackers from gaining access, even if they steal your employee's username and password.
TeamPassword uses the Google Authenticator app (iOS &amp; Android), requiring a six-digital randomly generated code as the second authentication step. Without the employee's device, hackers can't complete TeamPassword authentication.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>Start With a Free Trial</h2>
Coming up with unique username ideas isn't enough to protect your company's digital assets from attack. Protect your company's usernames and passwords with <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a>.
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> to test our robust and efficient sharing features with your team today!

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 ...

Username ideas to make your logins more secure

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!

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