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

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

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

What is password encryption and how much is enough?

As we enter a new year, everyone's excited for the possibilities of what's to come. However, as society continues making technological advances, it's essential to recognize that cybersecurity threats continue to grow more serious and more sophisticated.&nbsp;
To help keep you secure in 2021, here's a list of the most common internet scams you're likely to encounter and how to steer clear of them. While you're at it, don't forget the basics &mdash; like making sure you're using unique, secure passwords across the web. A tool like <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TeamPassword</a> can help.
<h2>Fake and Counterfeit Products</h2>
With more people staying home, online shopping has grown substantially over the past year. Unfortunately, many cybercriminals have just seen that as an opportunity. When Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like face masks were in high demand, many scams popped up where sellers took money for orders they <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandrasternlicht/2020/05/27/almost-800-million-in-mask-scams-alleged-in-the-us-alone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ultimately never fulfilled</a>.
Now, online purchase scams have become quite common, most often selling products that have suddenly started trending. The scammers take it quite far, creating fake shipping labels, sending out phony delivery notifications, and trying to do&nbsp;everything in their power to put the blame on someone else when you never receive the products you paid for.
Another online purchase scam that's also become more frequent is the selling of counterfeit or "lookalike" products. To avoid these scams, your best bet is to read reviews, <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/is-it-safe-to-save-my-credit-card-online" target="_blank" rel="noopener">choose reputable businesses</a>, and try to make online purchases with a credit or debit card that provides robust fraud protection.
<h2>Pretend Puppies and Other Pet Scams</h2>
With a large uptick in people turning to the internet to make purchases, many families in recent months have turned to the internet to adopt a pet into their household. This has led to a fivefold increase in pet-related scams, where con artists most often create websites to advertise animals up for adoption that, in the end, don't exist.
The average consumer loses <a href="https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/outreach/awareness-months/denver-woman-warns-others-after-losing-1000-in-online-puppy-scam/520-1cf9e9e9-617b-42d1-9a21-6b721530a699" target="_blank" rel="noopener">around $1,000</a> to these types of scams and pretend puppies are the most common culprit. However, parrots, cats, and other animals can also be involved in these scams, so you should&nbsp;always do your due diligence.&nbsp;
The pandemic has become a great excuse for not allowing a family to see a pet in person before adoption, and it's also given rise to fraudulent money requests to cover transport cages, shipping costs, and special vaccinations. Pets aren't the only lure, either. A variety of threats have <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/covid-password-management-technologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arisen from the pandemic</a>.
<h2>Work-from-Home Scams</h2>
As more people look for work, <a href="https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/work-from-home-scams/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">employment scams</a> are on the rise. While legitimate work-from-home opportunities do&nbsp;exist, it's essential that job seekers verify employer information and job positions before giving out any personal information. While these scams often seek to steal sensitive data through phishing and other tactics, they can also try to leach funds from victims, too.
If you're applying for any job opportunity and you receive a "company check" with instructions to cash it right away, don't fall for it. Scammers will ask for you to cash it and then send back a large portion of it using a wire transfer or gift card. They then tell you to purchase equipment with the remainder, but by the time they've received the money you've sent, the check bounces and you're out of cash.&nbsp;Even if the check seemingly&nbsp;clears, no real employer would ever ask you to go through these steps, and the scammer surely has something up their sleeve.
Of course, with more people working remotely, other types of work-related threats are also popping up. With <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TeamPassword</a>, you can help keep your virtual workplace secure.
<h2>Government Impersonation Scams</h2>
Across the U.S. and Canada, perhaps one of the most costly scams involves callers who impersonate government officials, most often <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acting as a representative</a> of the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Services Canada. There's no doubt that these agencies are intimidating, so people are often tricked under pressure to comply with their requests.
When the threat of a legal consequence comes your way, think twice. The IRS and other agencies may call you, but they will never use fear or threats to trick you into giving them personal information. In fact, they'll never ask for personal information over the phone &mdash; or for money. When in doubt, hang up. Don't call back the number that dialled you. Instead, look for the agency's official number online.
<h2>Protect Yourself Everywhere On The Web</h2>
These scams go to show just how diverse the tactics of modern-day cybercriminals have become. Whether they use the lure of a great job opportunity, a wonderful new pet, or the intimidation of legal action, these scams can catch you off guard and seem incredibly convincing.
Protecting yourself from them requires active due diligence. Of course, there are plenty of schemes you can fall victim to without even knowing it. When it comes to your personal accounts, one of the first lines of defence against an attack is a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-make-a-secure-password" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secure, unique password</a> for every platform. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Try TeamPassword</a> today and get on the path to a more secure digital future.

Criminals have become more and more sophisticated with each passing year. Here are the cybersecurity threats and scams to avoid in 2021.

Criminals have become more and more sophisticated with each passing year. Here are the cybersecurity threats and scams ...

Steer Clear of These Common 2021 Scams

<h2>Introduction</h2>
In the modern world with the constant growth of online services, online financial services, social media, gaming platforms, and online banking, it is crucial to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/are-hackers-really-trying-to-steal-your-password">prevent hackers and scammers from gaining access</a> to your accounts and personal information. This is where two-factor authentication (2FA) comes in. So let&rsquo;s discuss which 2FA approach is the best for you.&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">TeamPassword</a> is a simple and effective way to store and share team logins and passwords to ensure smooth and secure business project movements while still protecting your assets. 
Sign up for a free trial <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">here</a>.

<h2>Types of Two-Factor Authentication</h2>
So what is two-factor authentication? To provide an additional layer of&nbsp;security, one can request one or more factors for user authentication to prove identity. These factors include:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Something you know (password, pin, security question, etc)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Something that you have (smartphone, USB dongle, smartcard, etc)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Biometrics (fingerprints, voice, retina scan, etc)</li>
</ul>
OTP via SMS or email - the most popular and common 2FA method is when a service sends an SMS text message or email&nbsp;with a one-time password (OTP) to a smartphone or other device.&nbsp;
One-time codes on paper or in a file - prepared in advance and generated by service codes, these codes can be stored on printed paper, in files, or even in a password manager (like <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a>) in encrypted mode.
Software Authenticators - This is a 2FA method that has become more popular recently. Users scan QR codes provided by a vendor (generated by authenticator software) and based on this code, the application generates a temporary password that the user enters along with the main <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password">password</a> to complete the authentication process.
Push Notification - This is an easy to use, fast, and secure authentication method. Encrypted communication channels eliminate "middle-men" attacks. The user just needs to approve or decline a request from the service on their smartphone to get access to an account.
FIDO U2F Hardware Authenticators - This is one of the most reliable and solid methods based on the open-source universal 2nd-factor standard (U2F). Users just need to plug in a USB dongle or bump NFC device to authenticate.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Biometrics - This includes the like of face recognition, fingerprints, and voice recognition. Innovations like Apple&rsquo;s Face ID or Microsoft&rsquo;s Hello are often used to access devices and online services.
<h2></h2>
<h2>OTP Vulnerabilities</h2>
All 2FA methods have pros and cons and none of these methods provide 100% protection against hacking. Theft, poor software design, vulnerable connection channels, and criminal use of social engineering can lead to unwanted account access. But the most insecure methods are OTPs via SMS and OTPs via email.&nbsp;
OTP via SMS&nbsp;
Intruders can just peek at a message with a password on the smartphone screen if lock-screen notifications are enabled.
SIM cards can be stolen or criminals can clone your phone number if they have your social security number so they can receive text messages with <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-i-was-port-out-scammed-in-3-hours">one-time passwords directly</a> and then gain access to your accounts.
Hackers also can intercept messages, so-called&nbsp;Signalling System Number 7&nbsp;(SS7) attacks, by using the main flaw mobile routine SS7 protocol.&nbsp;
Using OTPs via SMS, hackers can reset passwords to, for example, Gmail accounts and gain full access to an email account.
OTP via email&nbsp;
Due to credentials leakage, phishing attacks, or some of the other actions described above, hackers can get total access to user email accounts. That leads to the possibility that in cases users use two-factor authentication via email or an email account bound to services to restore passwords, hackers can gain access to dozens of sites and services at once.
<h2></h2>
<h2>Best Authentication Approaches</h2>
Using biometrics can be the most secure method when it comes to two-factor authentication. But let&rsquo;s consider fingerprint theft for a moment. If something like that happens, biometric security approaches will be compromised for life. It&rsquo;s impossible to change your fingerprint like a phone number.&nbsp;
Using U2F (universal 2nd-factor standard) keys exclude digital interception, is phishing-proof and is considered the most secure 2FA approach. But the U2F method is not so widely applied due to some disadvantages.&nbsp;
USB-A dongles are not compatible with different devices including smartphones or new Macbooks without adapters (most modern devices use USB-C). Also, U2F tokens can be pricey. It's recommended to use U2F keys for authentication for only the most significant accounts like online banking or main email accounts.&nbsp;
The other reliable authentication approach is using software authenticators. They are easy to apply, offer a wide range of choice for developers, boast cross-platform compatibility, and additional features expand two-factor authenticator usage. Take into consideration that you need to choose a trustworthy software developer like TeamPassword.
Push notifications can also be a good choice for authentication. But there are some drawbacks you need to keep in mind with regards to this 2FA option, the most significant being that you&rsquo;ll need smartphones and an internet connection to use Push Notifications. Also, fraudulent requests can be approved accidentally due to the user's carelessness.
<h2></h2>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
Different user scenarios require different two-factor authentication methods. But just using the 2FA OTPs via SMS approach is more secure than one-step verification (only need to enter the password). It's worth spending time developing your authenticator application and spending money on a U2F key so you can take complete control of your accounts.&nbsp;TeamPassword provides the best software to generate and manage your passwords correctly. To learn more about it, please <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">sign up for the free 14-day trial</a> today.

Learn about the pros and cons of one-time passwords vs. two factor authentication. Understand the different kinds of OTPs and 2FAs.

Learn about the pros and cons of one-time passwords vs. two factor authentication. Understand the different kinds of ...

One Time Passwords vs Two Factor Authentication

One-Time Passwords vs Two Factor Authentication

<h2>Introduction</h2>
Did the Netflix documentary &lsquo;Social Dilemma&rsquo; make you concerned about data privacy too? Then, let&rsquo;s find out what Max Schrems did and what you can do to protect your data.
A pivotal step is, of course, managing your credentials and the websites you often login to.&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">TeamPassword</a> presents a simple yet effective way to store and share passwords as well as team logins to keep your business moving. You should sign up for the free trial <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">here</a>.
Alternatively, check out <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/seven-signs-you-need-a-password-manager">7 signs</a> that you need a password manager.
&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Why exactly is Max Schrems famous?</h2>
Maximilian (Max) Schrems is an Austrian privacy activist and lawyer known for standing up against colossal tech-giants, especially Facebook. Schrems wrote his term paper while at Santa Clara University on Facebook&rsquo;s lack of awareness regarding the European Privacy Laws which, caught everyone&rsquo;s attention.&nbsp;
In 2011 he then filed his first set of complaints with the Irish Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) against Facebook for its privacy violation including breach of European privacy laws.&nbsp;
In 2013 he filed another complaint with the DPC targeting the company&rsquo;s data transfer from Ireland to the United States. The complaint found its basis on the European Law allowing data transfer to a non-EU country only if the organization can assure enough &ldquo;adequate-protection&rdquo;.&nbsp;
To read more about his work and the timeline, visit <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Schrems">here</a>.
&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>What could they possibly do with your data?</h2>
Max Schrems was concerned about our privacy. However, the question arises, what could Social Media possibly achieve with our data?&nbsp;
The content you see, read, or even scroll by is often customised based on your preferences which seems harmless, but have you looked closely enough? For instance, things seem to work fine if you&rsquo;re into skincare or working out, but what happens when a user creates a Facebook group promoting hate content?
This basic rule of like-minded people connecting with other like-minded people is what led to the &ldquo;Cambridge Analytica - Facebook scandal&rdquo; during the 2016 presidential election. The content polarization has even induced riots and violence according to several studies. Not that virtual, after all?
The repercussions do not stop here, find more about the democracy, gender, and health dilemma <a href="https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/the-dilemma/">here</a>.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>The Manipulation Game</h2>
Now that you know about the polarization, you might be wondering about the working of this black box. How could a machine possibly predict your life choices? Well, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn&rsquo;t but the whole concept of Machine Learning is to be better by learning where it went wrong.&nbsp;
For instance, the algorithms keep track of the:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Time spent on each post</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Kind of post a user most engages with ( reaction, comments, etc.)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Facebook Groups</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Shared Networks, etc.</li>
</ul>
The sophisticated algorithms now know what notification to send for you to check your phone based on the very information you provided. The minute you tap on that notification is when the algorithm is alerted if the trick worked. In the case that it didn&rsquo;t work, at least the algorithm now knows what doesn&rsquo;t work.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>The solution to your Social Dilemma</h2>
The infinite scrolling, fancy user interface (UI), pull to refresh, and other features have been designed keeping in mind human psychology. The notification sound works as the perfect distraction to halt your productivity.&nbsp;
If there are so many distractions, why don&rsquo;t we delete our accounts and put a stop to it all at once? As spiritual as it sounds, one cannot ignore the benefits of social media. More importantly, it might not be easy to give it up altogether.
A quick fix is, of course, turning off notifications. This way, you would only open the application when you actually want to. But, what if your profession demands an active social media presence? Perhaps you are in the marketing field or even running your own company.
In that case, you can neither deactivate your account nor turn off the notifications. However, you still want to be able to manage your accounts securely. <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/">TeamPassword</a> allows you to add, share and, manage all of your internal and client passwords including social media. Know more about the <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/pricing">plans &amp; pricing</a> or sign up for the <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">14-day free trial </a>today!
Find <a href="https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/take-action/">more</a> on how you can realign your relationship with social media &amp; technology by taking action and striking a conversation.
Continue your research on <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/security">security and encryption</a> here!
&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
Social Media can be overwhelming but one cannot ignore the immense benefits it provides connecting with the people you love. We can, however, keep our accounts safe from cyber attacks. Secure your account today by following these <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password">tricks to create a strong password</a>.
At <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/">TeamPassword</a>, we aim to provide the best software to generate and manage your passwords correctly. If you&rsquo;re still unsure, check out our post on <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/blog/why-do-i-need-a-password-manager">&ldquo;Why do you need a password manager?&rdquo;</a>&nbsp; or book for our <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">free trial</a> today!

Let’s find out what Max Schrems did and what it has to do with cybersecurity. Share and use your passwords safely with TeamPassword!

Did the Netflix documentary ‘Social Dilemma’ make you concerned about data privacy too? Then, let’s find out what ...

Who is Max Schrems and why is he famous? | TeamPassword

Did the Netflix documentary ‘Social Dilemma’ make you concerned about data privacy too? Then, let’s find out what Max Schrems did and what you can do to protect your data.

Who is Max Schrems, and Why is he Famous?

Here's a run down of what it feels like to be on the wrong end of a port-out scam, and what you can do to prevent it from happening to you.

Tokyo, midday on a Friday. My phone kept buzzing during my customer meeting. The day was a workday, ...

How I was port-out scammed in 3 hours

Tokyo, midday on a Friday. My phone kept buzzing during my customer meeting. The day was a workday, a day of travel and the day a personal property purchase was due to settle. Little did I know it was also the day I was the target of a “port-out” scam.

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At its simplest a password manager is a secure way to store your online passwords, but it does so much more than this. Here are ten ways a password manager can make your life easier and safer.
<h3>Different Every Time</h3>
Using a password manager removes the need to reuse passwords on multiple sites &ndash; something all too many people do for the sake of their sanity. Whenever a website&rsquo;s password database is exposed online, the first thing many hackers do is check whether the same user credentials will work on other websites, often ones involving more sensitive account data. There&rsquo;s no way most people can remember a different login for every site, but with a password manager it&rsquo;s not an issue.
<h3>vC7!lI0~jN4? - Snappy, Huh?</h3>
A password manager can generate and remember secure passwords. That means longer passwords that use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols, avoiding recognisable words. In turn, anyone trying to &ldquo;crack&rdquo; the password will take exponentially longer to do so. They&rsquo;ll also be unable to use a dictionary attack, which aims to shorten the process by trying words rather than random strings of characters. Don&rsquo;t worry if a site has particular requirements about password length or character case: many password managers let you easily set the relevant criteria before they create a password.
<h3>Secure By Design</h3>
You get peace of mind because you don&rsquo;t have to worry about the password manager provider being hacked. Most password manager provider are physically unable to access your password details because this is only possible with a master password which you set and which never leaves your device. This set-up is dubbed a zero knowledge approach because the operator literally doesn&rsquo;t ever know your master password and so can never expose it.
<h3>Put Your Pens Down</h3>
As long as you can remember your master password, you don&rsquo;t need to write any login credentials down, whether in a notebook, on a sticky note, or anywhere else. That means no worrying about burglars or nosy staff getting their hands on your details.
<h3>A Unique Approach</h3>
If you decide to choose your your own passwords, or you import existing details you&rsquo;ve used over many years, it can be almost impossible to keep track of whether you&rsquo;ve reused a password. A good password manager can warn you whenever you&rsquo;ve got the same details for multiple sites and let you quickly change them.
<h3>Typing Turmoil Terminated</h3>
Once you&rsquo;ve typed in your master password, you&rsquo;ll never need to fill in login forms again. No more typing your email address over and over. No more fiddling about trying to figure out how to access symbols on a mobile device keyboard. No more trying to remember whether you used your name, a nickname or an email address for a particular site. And no more trying to figure out if you used an alternative email address for that sneaky second go at a free trial period.
<h3>Cards On The Table</h3>
Some password managers give you the option to store payment card details in a secure &ldquo;wallet.&rdquo; As long as you keep your master password completely secure, you get the benefit of automatically filling in forms so you can pay straight away, without the worry of your card number and security details being accessed by scammers.
<h3>No Phishing Allowed</h3>
A password manager has the added benefit of being an early warning sign for scam phishing sites. These look like popular web services and try to trick you into typing in your login details from the real thing. As the password manager won&rsquo;t auto-fill on the rogue site, you&rsquo;ll see a blank form and know straight away that something might be up.
<h3>A Timely Warning</h3>
Your chosen password manager may have a security alert feature. This will regularly check your passwords and the list of sites you use against public databases of leaked and stolen login details. It can then warn you if you need to change your password, often before the website concerned gets in touch with to sound the alarm.
<h3>Be The Boss</h3>
Business owners can use specialist password managers to control exactly what access staff have to enterprise services. You can make sure people working for you can get on with their job without constant requests for login details or reminders to change and reset credentials. On the flip side, you can dramatically reduce the opportunity and risk for corporate espionage or for departing staff to continue accessing your data or using your social media accounts.

Now you know why a password manager will make your life easier, it&rsquo;s time to see why TeamPassword is your best option. Find out today by starting <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">our free 14-day trial.</a>

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Weak passwords are a leading cause of data breaches. Here are ten ways a secure password manager can make your life easier and safer.

Using a password manager removes the need to reuse passwords on multiple sites – something all too many ...

Why Do I Need A Password Manager?

Using a password manager removes the need to reuse passwords on multiple sites – something all too many people do for the sake of their sanity. Whenever a website’s password database is exposed online, the first thing many hackers do is check whether the same user credentials will work on other websites, often ones involving more sensitive account data. There’s no way most people can remember a different login for every site, but with a password manager it’s not an issue.

Microsoft recently released a report that highlights cybercriminal activity and the importance of password security. The company's annual&nbsp;<a href="https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2020/09/29/microsoft-digital-defense-report-cyber-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digital Defense Report</a>&nbsp;analyzes cybersecurity trends over the past year based on threats identified by the software company. In 2020, the report covered cybersecurity trends through the end of June, providing insight into cybercrime throughout the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports like this can help us better protect ourselves from hackers and scammers&nbsp;in the future.
<h2>Microsoft Security Report Reveals How Passwords Are At Risk</h2>
The most significant finding highlighted in Microsoft's Digital Defense Report is a shift toward phishing attacks. Approximately 70% of all cybercrime consists of these types of social engineering attacks that involve sending emails purporting to be from legitimate organizations such as financial institutions. These messages trick would-be victims into clicking links that send them to legitimate-appearing websites and prompt them to enter their login information to access their account or provide sensitive data to verify their identity. However, these emails and the sites they link to are fake, and the victims aren't logging in but providing their password and username or email to the scammers. With this information, cybercriminals can log into the legitimate website of the company they were imitating. Furthermore, if users rely on the same username/email and password combinations, scammers may be able to&nbsp;access their accounts across various sites.
With phishing attacks, scammers don't have to program a virus or take over the victim's computer. They simply&nbsp;have to trick victims into giving up sensitive information all on their own. It's a low-effort, high-reward scam. Of course, this emphasizes the importance of user vigilance. It's always possible for customers to contact their bank or credit card company, for example, directly. Similarly, they can log into real websites to perform any necessary actions. However, there are often telltale signs that an email is fake, including poor spelling and grammar, and not using the customer's name.
Furthermore, phishing attacks are ultimately less successful when users use multi-factor authentication or MFA. With MFA, the user may have to enter a code, scan their finger, or show their face in addition to typing their password to access their accounts. Even if scammers gain access to usernames and passwords, they cannot do much without these secondary authentication measures.
Finally, we can see how important it is for users to have not just strong passwords but passwords that are unique. That way, if scammers trick victims into giving up their login credentials, it only impacts one account. However, many users recycle passwords to use on multiple accounts or rely on easily-guessed passwords, leaving them susceptible to this sort of&nbsp;cybercrime.
<h2>A Password Manager Can Help</h2>
There is, fortunately, a solution to this problem. Password managers, such as <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/" rel="follow">TeamPassword</a>, enable users to create strong passwords and access them without remembering 16 randomized digits. Users typically only have to remember a master password when logging onto their accounts from an authorized device. On top of that, password managers often remind the user to change their passwords frequently. This is important because it limits the amount of time that scammers may access victims' accounts. By making it easy for users to comply with the most stringent password security measures, phishing attacks will be less successful. And if scammers realize their efforts won't pay off, it can impact what next year's Digital Defense Report will look like. Start <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">protecting your teams now with TeamPassword</a>!

Microsoft's recent report on phishing, social engineering, and the importance of maintaining long, unique passwords for all websites.

Microsoft recently released a report that highlights cybercriminal activity and the importance of password security. The company's annual Digital ...

Microsoft Digital Defense Report on Password Phishing

Microsoft recently released a report that highlights cybercriminal activity and the importance of password security. The company's annual Digital Defense Report analyzes cybersecurity trends over the past year based on threats identified by the software company. In 2020, the report covered cybersecurity trends through the end of June, providing insight into cybercrime throughout the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports like this can help us better protect ourselves from hackers and scammers in the future.

Microsoft Security Report Reveals How Passwords Are At Risk

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

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

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

Have I Been Hacked? How to Know for Sure.

Learn what to do if you forgot your Facebook password and how to use TeamPassword to make sure you never forget a password again.

Learn what to do if you forgot your Facebook password and how to use TeamPassword to make sure ...

What to do if you forgot your Facebook password?

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!

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