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. Kate H. - Logo Designer / Branding Expert - United States</h3>
Kate is a freelance professional logo designer and branding expert from Maryland, United States. Kate&nbsp;ran her own green wedding brand which she sold to mywedding.com in 2014, allowing her to focus on helping small&nbsp;businesses figure out what they want (and who they are) and translate that into design.
She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management from Yale School of The Environmental, and a J.D. in environmental law from Pace Law School.&nbsp;
Kate's skillset includes redesigning and updating material to make it easier to understand, building a consistent brand from a simple starting point like a logo, and creating unique logos that guarantee results.
Kate is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer, and her rates start at $225 per hour. You can find out more about Kate on her <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~013ce73876c1c18126" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Upwork profile</a>.
&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!

You&rsquo;d be surprised how many businesses still haven&rsquo;t updated their software to the most recent, secure versions or how many don&rsquo;t even have antivirus software installed on their computers. If you manage employees, it&rsquo;s crucial that you understand the risks they face and how you can protect them from cyber threats.&nbsp;

Many different things could lead to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-the-most-important-topic-your-team-can-learn-about-this-year">potential security risks</a> for your business. Here are 5 of the biggest cybersecurity mistakes you should avoid to keep your company safe from cyber threats:
<h2>1. Failing to Train Employees on Cybersecurity</h2>
One of the most important things you can do as a manager is to <a href="https://www.chanty.com/blog/security-best-practices-for-remote-teams/">train your staff on cybersecurity</a>. This means they understand the risks they face and how to mitigate them.&nbsp;

You don&rsquo;t want to scare them, but you want to make sure they know how to protect themselves and the company from cyber threats. This can include understanding the latest <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide">hacking techniques</a> and how they&rsquo;re used to target businesses like yours, how ransomware works, how to avoid phishing (a common method hackers use to try to steal data), and more.&nbsp;

You can even ask your IT department to create a cybersecurity training module that all employees can access. This can help ensure that everyone knows the latest threats and knows what to do if something happens. Plus, it can help prevent employees from panicking when an incident does occur.
<h2>2. Using Outdated Hardware and Not Updating Software</h2>
If your employees use outdated hardware and software, that may put your business at risk. For example, if they&rsquo;re using computers with Windows 7, security patches for that version have stopped being released. That means that hackers could easily exploit any bugs that might be present in the software.&nbsp;

You don&rsquo;t want computers with outdated software on your network. This could increase your risk of malware infections and other security incidents. If possible, you should provide employees with the newest hardware and software.&nbsp;

If you&rsquo;re managing a large business, replacing every computer in the company might not be feasible. However, you can ensure your IT team is putting in the effort to keep computers secure. This means installing security patches and updating antivirus software regularly.
<h2>3. Not Changing Passwords</h2>
Employees might have habits that could put your company at risk. For example, some employees might have old habits from their personal lives, such as refusing to change their passwords. Or, they might be using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/top-5-dangerous-ways-to-store-your-passwords">password that&rsquo;s easy to guess</a>.&nbsp;

Hackers know that many people don&rsquo;t change their passwords regularly, so they try to target people who use the same password. If they get access to one of your employee&rsquo;s accounts, they can use it to try to get access to a lot of other accounts. You don&rsquo;t want this to happen to your business.&nbsp;

Make sure that all of your employees change passwords regularly. Ideally, they should be changing them every month. Consider implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) on your sensitive accounts. This means that employees must enter a unique code and <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">their password </a>to log in. 2FA makes it much harder for hackers to break into their accounts.
<h2>4. Storing Sensitive Data in the Cloud Without Encryption</h2>
If you&rsquo;re using the cloud for storage, you might have employees storing sensitive data there. While this can be useful for sharing documents with clients and partners, you must also ensure that information is safe. Some <a href="https://blog.internxt.com/best-private-cloud-storage/">cloud providers</a>, like Internxt, let you encrypt your data.&nbsp;

You could risk your business if you&rsquo;re storing sensitive data in the cloud without encryption. Hackers could access it if they get into the cloud account, which is very relevant to SaaS businesses and can be one of the <a href="https://blog.coupler.io/saas-challenges">SaaS management challenges</a>. This could lead to a breach that has severe financial and reputational consequences for your business.&nbsp;

You want to ensure you&rsquo;re storing sensitive data in the cloud with encryption. This way, even if a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide">hacker gets into your account</a>, they won&rsquo;t be able to read your data. Some providers also charge less if you encrypt your data. So, it could actually be cheaper to use encryption than not.
<h2>5. Having No Processes for Detecting Breaches and Incidents</h2>
Another type of common cybersecurity mistake does not have processes in place to detect breaches and incidents. You might have employees who are logging in from unsecured computers. Or computers that have malware, viruses, or other programs installed that could lead to a breach. You might not even realize something has gone wrong until it&rsquo;s too late.
&nbsp;
You might have employees accidentally sharing sensitive material with the wrong person. Or someone who inadvertently sends sensitive information to the wrong person. You might have an employee falsifying data, or another malicious employee could be trying to frame someone else. You don&rsquo;t want to miss any of these things.&nbsp;

You want to make sure you&rsquo;re prepared for them so you can resolve the situation as quickly as possible. To do this, you can create a list of events you want to be aware of, such as a new computer being added to your network or someone logging in from an unusual IP address.
<h2>Managing Employees While Protecting Your Company Online</h2>
Finally, while you want to protect your business from cybersecurity mistakes, you also don&rsquo;t want to create a culture of fear. You don&rsquo;t want employees to be so scared of making a mistake that they stop taking any action at all.&nbsp;

Instead, make sure that you&rsquo;re providing resources for employees to learn about cybersecurity. And encourage them to ask questions if they don&rsquo;t understand something. You can also provide employees with the tools they need to protect themselves online.<a href="https://teampassword.com/features"> Password managers</a> are one of the best tools available to protect teams from cybersecurity threats. Also consider security services like antivirus software, a <a href="https://internxt.com/virus-scanner">virus scanner</a>, a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password strength checker</a>, or an add-on to help them avoid phishing attempts.&nbsp;

You must protect your company from cybersecurity mistakes, and you can only do so by being aware of the risks and putting in the effort to make sure those risks don&rsquo;t become real problems.
 Author bio: Mia Naumoska is a Chief Marketing Officer at <a href="https://internxt.com/">Internxt</a> - the world's most secure cloud storage. With over a decade of experience in marketing, Mia is responsible for Internxt&rsquo;s overall marketing strategy, managing a fantastic team of marketing experts. Feel free to connect with Mia on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mianaumoska/">LinkedIn</a>.

If you manage employees, it’s crucial that you understand the risks they face and how you can protect them from cyber threats.

If you manage employees, it’s crucial that you understand the risks they face and how you can protect ...

5 Cybersecurity Mistakes Every Boss Should Be Aware Of In 2023

If you manage employees, it’s crucial that you understand the risks they face and how you can protect them from cyber threats. You’d be surprised how many businesses still haven’t updated their software or how many don’t have antivirus software installed on their computers.

We've all worked with agencies who don't have their processes together, causing projects to run over schedule and over budget. Password managers provide a built-in procedure for handling sensitive information so you can win clients&rsquo; trust and outperform the competition. Not all password managers are created with business security in mind. Make sure yours has the following features so that you're improving security&nbsp;and&nbsp;saving time.&nbsp;
<h2>Control Access</h2>
Follow two simple steps to ensure your team members have the up-to-date information they need, and clients feel secure knowing that only the people directly involved in their project have access to their information.
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Create an individual Group for the client where you&rsquo;ll store all their specific logins</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Add agency team members working on that client&rsquo;s account</li>
</ol>
<h2><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/K8IRmYGKRDGsltcdm3Om" alt="undefined" width="335" height="261" class="butter-float-left" /></h2>
<h2>Generate Secure Passwords</h2>
Show clients that you take the threat of hacking very seriously. Utilizing <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword&rsquo;s password generator</a> to create long, randomized passwords for you and your clients adds yet another layer of security to protect your (and their) online information.
<h2>Store and Share Client Passwords Securely</h2>
I&rsquo;d hate to be the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2022-uber-breach#:~:text=In%20this%20case%2C%20one%20Uber%20contractor%20unknowingly%20allowed%20the%20hackers%20the%20access%20they%20needed." rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">contractor targeted</a> during the 2022 Uber data breach. In that instance, poor password hygiene opened the door for the cybercriminal to bully the contractor into giving up their multi-factor authentication code. Help your employees, your clients, and ultimately yourself by using a product built to share passwords securely. TeamPassword allows you to add and remove users with the click of a button.&nbsp;
<h2>Streamline Processes</h2>
With TeamPassword, we give you a centralized, client-friendly way to request logins so you can start providing value to your client (and start logging billable hours) immediately. Our streamlined process makes you look like the pro you are &mdash; and promises that you&rsquo;ll never waste your clients time having to go back to ask for passwords.
If you&rsquo;re interested in trying TeamPassword with a 14-day free trial, sign up <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">here</a>!

Having good password processes in place shows new clients that your agency is credible, efficient and security conscious.

We've all worked with agencies who don't have their processes together, causing projects to run over schedule and ...

Improve your Agency's Security - Get a Password Manager

We've all worked with agencies who don't have their processes together, causing projects to run over schedule and over budget. TeamPassword provides a built-in procedure for handling sensitive information so you can win clients’ trust and outperform the competition. Having good password processes in place shows new clients that your ...

Solving Common Agency Problems with a Password Manager

<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/real-estate/our-insights/americans-are-embracing-flexible-work-and-they-want-more-of-it" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Remote work is becoming more popular</a> than ever. Employers realize the cost-saving and productivity-boosting benefits of having their teams out of the office and working from their homes, and things seem to be going well. However, one issue that continues to plague remote teams is the possibility of cybercrime and data breaches. Hackers know that remote employees are often not as equipped to thwart attacks and target them with a vengeance.&nbsp;
The solution is for management and administration to train and educate their teams on cybersecurity. Talk to your employees about what they can do to protect their company and the customers' data from the machinations of cybercriminals.&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s get specific on how you will make this happen.
<h2>Cybersecurity Training Is Key</h2>
To start your team off on the right foot, your company should incorporate an extensive cybersecurity training program into your employee orientation schedule. This will give them the training they need from day one. <a href="https://www.wizer-training.com" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Wizer</a> is a great tool that provides effective and thorough cybersecurity training for teams.&nbsp;
<h3>Explain the Consequences of a Cyberattack</h3>
Remote employees have the best of intentions but may not realize the stakes of a breach at your organization. When working from the comfort of home, cyberthreats seem distant and it&rsquo;s easy to forget that anyone can be the weak link that allows a cyberattack to succeed.
During instruction, give the team a clear picture of what your organization and the individuals on your team will face if a breach does occur. Common consequences resulting from a breach are:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Reputational damage to the corporation that leads to job loss</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Corporate responsibility for millions of dollars of damages and fines resulting in lay-offs</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Legal repercussions that force the company to close its doors</li>
</ul>
The point is that cybersecurity is the responsibility of every employee, from the CEO to the mailroom clerk, and it&rsquo;s in everyone&rsquo;s best interest to protect the company and its future.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/hvd8k1uISfeNd3yLAaud" alt="undefined" width="757" height="473" />
<h3>Confirm Employees&rsquo; Understanding</h3>
Once their cybersecurity training is complete, every employee should sign off on a memo stating that they understand the crucial nature of what they learned and may be held responsible if they fail to report a potential threat.
<h3>Revisit and Refresh Cybersecurity Training</h3>
Cybersecurity training is not one-and-done. As vulnerabilities get patched and people become wiser to common scams, cybercriminals adapt accordingly with ever more sophisticated attacks. When your IT team learns of a new cyber threat, management should require all employees to undergo supplemental training that prepares them to handle it appropriately.
<h3>Report Attempted Attacks</h3>
Every organization should have a designated cybersecurity point of contact. Ideally, this will be someone who has a background in cybersecurity or has at least taken additional training in cybersecurity best practices. When an employee receives a suspicious email or other suspected cyberattack, they should let the internal point of contact know immediately.&nbsp;
Employees can also help make the internet safer by reporting phishing attacks to organizations like the <a href="https://apwg.org/reportphishing/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG)</a> by forwarding phishing attack emails to <a href="mailto:reportphishing@apwg.org" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">reportphishing@apwg.org</a>. APWG, and groups like them, analyze and share data from reports to help stop cybercriminals before they can victimize others.&nbsp;
<h2>Talk About Sharing Data</h2>
Now that your remote team members understand the big picture, teach them where their data is shared and how to properly access, share, and use it to minimize risk.&nbsp;
<h3>Sharing Data on the Cloud</h3>
Almost all companies now use some form of cloud storage or service. A common example for most of us is our email account. Take Gmail: Google has floor space for servers and hardware and maintains all the software that allows you to log into your account from anywhere. Gmail is an example of a public cloud.&nbsp;
Your team should know the <a href="https://businessdegrees.uab.edu/blog/private-public-and-hybrid-clouds-whats-the-difference/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">differences between public, private, and hybrid clouds</a> and the associated risks in using each. Your IT department may have different policies for each type of service.
Public accounts are generally the least expensive but are also the least secure. A third party such as Google, Amazon, or Microsoft handles maintenance which frees up your IT team&rsquo;s time. In return, you sacrifice security and control.
Private servers are owned and maintained by a private organization. They offer your team greater security and flexibility, but the price can be prohibitive.&nbsp;
Hybrid cloud accounts are a combination of both public and private. An organization may use a public cloud for email but restrict sensitive data to a private cloud.&nbsp;
It is important to inform your teams that even with some protection on the cloud, they still need to keep watch for scams and inform management if they see anything suspicious.&nbsp;
<h3>User Access&nbsp;</h3>
Remote employees should know that not everyone in the organization is entitled to see and use the same data. Every employee should only have access to what they need to do their jobs and should not share information unless they are given the approval to do so.&nbsp;
To make this process easier to understand, consider creating an <a href="https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/tutorial/organizational-charts" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">organizational chart</a> that includes the title and clearance level of every employee. That way, when in doubt, your team can refer to the organizational chart and see what sensitive information can be passed to which team members.&nbsp;
<h2>Create and Follow Smart Security Practices</h2>
<h3>Off-Board Employees Properly</h3>
Note to management: when an employee leaves your organization, you must revoke their system access so an upset former worker can&rsquo;t get in and steal or manipulate your data. Having strong off-boarding procedures will simplify this process, while tools like a password manager can make it even easier.&nbsp;
<h3>Make Training Best Practices into Company Policy</h3>
When your team works remotely, it is difficult to monitor all of their computers for potential threats. Management should advise their teams of the strategies they must implement to protect their devices and their data at all times. Use the cybersecurity training you provide to establish clear policies and procedures everyone can follow. And revisit these regularly.
<h2>Use the Right Tools</h2>
<h3>Save Data on Backup Servers</h3>
In addition to keeping all corporate information on the main server, you should also have backup servers so that you can restore your information immediately in the event of a virus or ransomware attack. Don&rsquo;t forget to inform your team that the company&rsquo;s information is backed up; it can help put their mind at ease.
<h3>Invest in a Password Manager</h3>
Give your team a password manager to make it easy for everyone to use complex passwords that include a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-build-a-passphrase" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Building a strong passphrase</a> can also give them extra protection. Also, let them know the<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-importance-of-responsible-password-management" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank"> importance of responsible password management</a>, including keeping passwords in encrypted environments and never sharing them via unsecured platforms such as email.&nbsp;
Managing passwords and logins can be a big hassle for busy companies with remote workers. At TeamPassword, we believe that passwords should be secure, easy to access, and, most importantly, reliable. Our easy-to-use, encrypted environment allows you to create, update, and access passwords anywhere. Your passwords are divided into different folders called Groups, so employees only see what they need.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/W06bJ4BSoCDG7A7bhQ8Q" alt="undefined" width="535" height="474" />
Managing permissions for individual team members is a breeze. Should the time come that you need to revoke a user&rsquo;s access to all of your passwords, you can do so with the click of a button. Then, use the built-in password generator to create new strong passwords for every login.
<a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/rAqIb5pdSBWEHxSGdpRT" alt="undefined" width="786" height="387" /></a>
<h3>Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)</h3>
Employees who leave their homes to work at public places like coffee shops or restaurants need to be advised about the importance of not misplacing their devices and not logging onto public Wi-Fi unless they know it is a legitimate connection and not a fake network set up by a hacker. The best way to be sure is to ask an employee at the establishment. They should also install a virtual private network on their device; the VPN will automatically encrypt their information so it cannot be used even if it is stolen.
<h3>Install Anti-Virus Software</h3>
Finally, express the importance of installing and using up-to-date antivirus software on their systems. Employees should run scans multiple times weekly to catch an issue before it ravages their system. Your IT team should always ensure that your teams are updated to the newest version of their antivirus program, so they can be protected against the latest threats.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
In the end, protecting the company against cyber threats is a team effort. Educating your remote employees about good cybersecurity is in everyone&rsquo;s best interest. Implement these tools and training, and keep your organization secure against cyberattacks.

Remote work is more popular than ever, but companies struggle to train and equip remote employees to respond appropriately to cyberattacks.

Remote work is becoming more popular than ever. Employers realize the cost-saving and productivity-boosting benefits of having their ...

How to Talk to Remote Employees About Cybersecurity

Remote work is becoming more popular than ever. Employers realize the cost-saving and productivity-boosting benefits of having their teams out of the office and working from their homes, and things seem to be going well. However, one issue that continues to plague remote teams is the possibility of cybercrime and ...

<h2>Introduction</h2>
Technological advances make people more effective despite spending less time at work. This phenomenon was amplified by the altered work habits adopted to slow the spread of COVID-19.&nbsp; The situation forced people and organizations to explore <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/remote-work-isnt-just-a-trend-its-the-future" style="color: #40d8e3;">new ways of working remotely</a>, which had the unexpected consequence of increasing productivity.

In response, many companies, especially software organizations, are exploring how remote work can benefit the business and their employees.
<h2>Why is employee engagement crucial for business growth?</h2>
<h2><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/PzGDj1SIqkZYWdCa2qAa" width="519" height="325" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></h2>
When developers enjoy and are appreciated for their work, their motivation increases. It boosts their desire to be more productive and helps them achieve the company's goals. Remote work can also play a significant role in enhancing employee motivation and satisfaction by improving their engagement and retention in organizations.
According to data shared by Linkedin, 74% of employees agree that the option to work remotely has increased their tenure at their company.
Frontline developers need an environment that supports the creative and innovative nature of their work. Many of today's developers prefer working remotely as it provides the most comfortable place to express their creative ideas.

Not all businesses are set up for fully remote work environments. Employers should at least consider giving developers some flexibility to choose where and how they work.&nbsp; This choice offers more than just freedom; it enables them to do their best work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Benefits of Remote work for Developer's engagement and Retention-</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/yqFkgqyQYyi8zLNInILh" width="622" height="340" />
Remote work brings lots of benefits to individual developers and their companies as a whole. Here are a few notable benefits:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
<h3>Developers stay with the job longer.</h3>
</li>
</ul>
In the current economy, many companies are facing attrition problems and low employee retention rates.&nbsp; Increasing salaries or offering better benefits are a few ways companies can retain employees.&nbsp; But this isn&rsquo;t an option for every business. Embracing remote work could be the answer.&nbsp;

A survey of more than three thousand developers conducted by Stack Overflow and Indeed in August 2018 found that remote workers stay with their company an average of six months longer than employees who are not remote workers.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
<h3>Improves mental health.</h3>
</li>
</ul>
A study published in Harvard Business Review found that 26% of employees report better mental health or fewer complaints about mental health issues after one year of remote work. Most of the employees said they felt more motivated, productive, and happy working remotely than at the office and reported less stress, more satisfaction, and increased productivity.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
<h3>Improves Productivity.</h3>
</li>
</ul>
More productive and satisfied employees are more likely to stay with your company. Remote work lowers employees' stress levels, gives them the flexibility to work from home, and reduces unnecessary distractions that decrease productivity. It improves job satisfaction, which leads to higher performance, and the quality of work you receive improves. You may even consider hiring a <a href="https://www.esparkinfo.com/hire-dedicated-developer.html" style="color: #40d8e3;" rel="follow">dedicated development team</a> to work remotely on your projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
<h3>Greater engagement.</h3>
</li>
</ul>
Remote work provides developers with the space and time that they need to focus on their projects.&nbsp; Messaging apps and audio and video conferencing platforms make it easy for remote workers to collaborate with co-workers, partners, and employees who work from different locations without having to leave their workstations to attend an in-person meeting.&nbsp; This makes the rest of the team more accessible to the developer and the developer more accessible to the rest of the team.&nbsp; Cutting out distractions and interruptions improves developer productivity.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
<h3>Reduce costs.</h3>
</li>
</ul>
Employers that allow remote work require less physical office space. That means they can reduce costs in rent and utilities.&nbsp; Employers may also find that there are tax savings or other financial benefits to employing developers remotely.&nbsp;

For employees, those cost savings may be returned in the form of benefits or additional perks.&nbsp; Remote employees also can save costs on transportation to and from work, food expenses, and other small &ldquo;work-related&rdquo; expenses that add up over time.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
<h3>Larger talent pool.</h3>
</li>
</ul>
Allowing remote work allows employers to find development talent across time zones and locations.&nbsp; Flexible working hours further expands the field of potential employees while also enabling prospective developers opportunities that may not be available in their physical location.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For these reasons, companies should allow remote working opportunities to developers. Offering additional perks such as vacation days and flexible work schedules may further improve developer retention and engage them more with the organization. It also allows developers to maintain a better balance between their work and their personal life.&nbsp;
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
Remote work allows developers to work from the physical location that&rsquo;s best for them, which leads to greater productivity, engagement, and retention. Furthermore, when developers can <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/5-tips-to-increase-security-for-your-remote-workforce">control their own time</a>, they feel less stressed and more satisfied with their job, leading to higher performance at work.

Technological advances make people more effective despite spending less time at work. This phenomenon was amplified by the altered work habi

Technological advances make people more effective despite spending less time at work. This phenomenon was amplified by the ...

How Remote Work Improves Developer Engagement and Retention

Technological advances make people more effective despite spending less time at work. This phenomenon was amplified by the altered work habits adopted to slow the spread of COVID-19.  The situation forced people and organizations to explore new ways of working remotely, which had the unexpected consequence of increasing productivity. Many companies, especially software organizations, are exploring how remote work can benefit businesses and their employees.

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

Team Password Blog | Category business | 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

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!

Best types of usernames: username ideas to make your logins more secure

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!
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> is the password management solution for small businesses! Create, store, and share login credentials safely with employees, contractors, and clients. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today!
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<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>
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<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>
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<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.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<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>
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>Why You Need a Password Manager like TeamPassword</h2>
We have so many accounts these days; it's almost impossible to create unique, memorable, secure passwords for each one. A password manager solves this problem.
Instead of remembering the credentials for every account, you only need to memorize the one to log into your password manager.&nbsp;
TeamPassword keeps all of your credentials safely stored and encrypted, so you never have to memorize a password again. Instead of entering your credentials, you use one of TeamPassword's browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, and Safari) to log into accounts.
<h3>Built for Teams</h3>
TeamPassword's best feature is its ability to share credentials with team members securely. Instead of sharing passwords, you provide access through TeamPassword.&nbsp;
Employees <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">use TeamPassword</a> to log in, meaning you never share raw passwords&mdash;no more worrying about unauthorized access or sharing.
You can create groups in TeamPassword to share access with employees, clients, contractors, and freelancers. When someone no longer needs access, remove them from the group with a single click. No need to change passwords every time someone leaves a project!
<h3>Built-In Password Generator</h3>
TeamPassword features a built-in secure password manager so you can create robust passwords for every account. TeamPassword also ensures you never reuse the same credentials so that you won't fall victim to credential stuffing attacks!
With a built-in password generator, you can change passwords regularly, and TeamPassword will update the new credentials for all users!
<h3>Monitor Login Activity</h3>
TeamPassword's activity log keeps track of every action across all of your accounts&mdash;logins, password changes, new team members, sharing access, and more.
You can also set up email notifications for all TeamPassword actions so that you can react fast to any suspicious activity.
<h3>Get Your Free TeamPassword Trial</h3>
Password encryption is not enough to protect your business from password vulnerabilities! You need a robust password manager like TeamPassword to create, store, and share credentials securely.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> and let TeamPassword secure your company's digital assets.

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

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

TeamPassword Blog

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