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.
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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.
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<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!
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<h3>1. Scott Luscombe - Graphic Designer / Shopify Expert / Website Developer / Copywriter&nbsp; - Canada</h3>
Scott Luscombe is a freelance graphic designer, Shopify expert, website developer, and copywriter from Uxbridge, Canada. He holds a degree in Illustration from Sheridan College and a degree in Marketing from the University of Toronto.
Scott has been a freelancer for most of his professional career and has earned over $500k on Upwork. He has completed over 311 jobs and worked&nbsp;10,956 hours!&nbsp;
Scott's work includes graphic design and branding, illustration and icons, copywriting, website design and development, UX/UI, and printing and packaging. He also provides freelance coaching and consulting. Scott is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer currently charging $99 per hour for various creative gigs.
Some of Scott's most notable work includes designs for Coca-Cola, the Canadian Cancer Society, Nickelodeon, and Wallet Ninja (to name a few).&nbsp;
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<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.
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<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>.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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 Environment, 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>.
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<h3>8. 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.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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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!

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.
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" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/99529-3-in-4-people-at-risk-of-being-hacked-due-to-poor-password-practices" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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.
Here are five key takeaways to act upon now:
<ul>
<li>Strong, Unique Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for each account to minimize the risk of a major data breach. Utilizing a password manager can help generate highly secure, encrypted passwords.</li>
<li>Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of protection by enabling 2FA on work accounts. This acts as a deterrent to hackers and enhances security, especially when combined with strong passwords.</li>
<li>Avoid Password Sharing: Ensure that employees do not share passwords. Each individual should have a unique password for every login or application, making it easier for IT admins to manage security and control account access.</li>
<li>Secure Wi-Fi Practices: Remote workers should secure their home Wi-Fi networks, and employees working outside the office should avoid using public Wi-Fi for logging into accounts to prevent data hijacking by hackers.</li>
<li>Use a Password Manager: Implement a password manager, like TeamPassword, to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account. Password managers simplify the process of adhering to password management best practices and enhance overall security for digital agencies.</li>
</ul>
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#stronguniquepasswords" rel="follow">Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account</a></li>
<li><a href="#enable2fa" rel="follow">Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</a></li>
<li><a href="#dontsharepasswords" rel="follow">Don&rsquo;t Share Passwords</a></li>
<li><a href="#donotaccessprivateaccounts" rel="follow">Do Not Access Private Accounts Using Public Wi-Fi</a></li>
<li><a href="#useapasswordmanager" rel="follow">Use a Password Manager</a></li>
</ul>
<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" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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 id="stronguniquepasswords">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" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/tj8gEkSCTwiowMUAocHy" alt="Built-in password generator.gif" width="573" height="436">
Built-in password generator
<h3 id="enable2fa">Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</h3>
You may have experienced <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2fa-vs-mfa" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">types of password attacks</a> such as social engineering and phishing attempts as well.
<h3 id="dontsharepasswords">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.
When using a tool where shared credentials are necessary, they should only be shared and accessed within an encrypted environment - i.e., a password manager.&nbsp;
<h3 id="donotaccessprivateaccounts">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" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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.
VPNs make this safer by encrypting your data so it's harder to intercept. Understand, however, that you must trust your VPN provider - they're handling your data!
<h3 id="useapasswordmanager">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.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/0gCOt5oQBCE1vxckmRZC" alt="TP extension in action GIF (video) (1).gif" width="871" height="490">
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 patterns 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&nbsp;<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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

Image by Freepik
In an era where data is the lifeblood of businesses, securing your information on the cloud is non-negotiable. Even with the impeccable reputation of Microsoft Azure, understanding and implementing Azure security best practices is crucial. This guide aims to empower you with immediate steps to enhance your security while utilizing Microsoft Azure.

<ol>
<li>Key Takeaway: Azure offers a versatile set of services, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).</li>
<li>Key Takeaway: Empower Your Security with RBAC, and use Azure's MFA features to get your team one step close to authentication best practices: something you know, something you have, and something you are.</li>
<li>Key Takeaway: Strengthen Passwords, provide a password manager so the burden isn't on your employees, and Leverage Azure Security Center.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
[Table of contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#Whatismicrosoftazure" rel="follow">What is Microsoft Azure?</a></li>
<li><a href="#bestsecuritypractices" rel="follow">Best Security Practices for Microsoft Azure</a></li>
<li><a href="#teampasswordelevatesecurity" rel="follow">Elevate security with TeamPassword</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>What is Microsoft Azure?</h2>
Microsoft Azure, launched in 2010, has evolved into a robust cloud computing platform that offers a comprehensive suite of services. Its inception was a strategic move by Microsoft to compete in the growing cloud services market. Over the years, Azure has become a cornerstone for businesses seeking scalable and flexible cloud solutions.
Azure's journey began as a platform primarily focused on providing Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). It allowed organizations to virtualize their computing infrastructure, providing a cost-effective and flexible alternative to traditional on-premises solutions. As cloud computing gained momentum, Microsoft expanded Azure into a Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) provider.
With continuous innovation and updates, Azure has positioned itself as a leading player in the cloud industry. Its global data centers, spanning multiple continents, ensure low-latency access and high availability for users across the globe. Microsoft's commitment to security, compliance, and interoperability has contributed to Azure's reputation as a reliable cloud service.
Azure's Data Storage Base is a key component, offering a variety of storage services to meet different business requirements.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
Azure Blob Storage: Designed for storing massive amounts of unstructured data, Azure Blob Storage provides scalable and cost-effective object storage. It is ideal for scenarios such as backup, archiving, and serving large-scale static content.
</li>
<li>
Azure SQL Databases: For organizations requiring relational database management, Azure SQL Databases offer a fully managed and scalable solution. This service ensures high-performance, security, and reliability for applications relying on structured data.
</li>
<li>
Azure Cosmos DB: Geared towards globally distributed applications, Azure Cosmos DB is a multi-model, multi-API database service. It provides low-latency access to data on a global scale, making it suitable for scenarios where responsiveness and reliability are paramount.
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="bestsecuritypractices">Best Security Practices for Microsoft Azure</h2>
In the expansive realm of Azure services, prioritizing security is not just a choice; it's a necessity. Let's delve into key practices that act as a fortress, strengthening the security of your Azure environment.
<h3>Utilize Role-Based Access Controls (RBAC)</h3>
In the dynamic landscape of cloud computing, granting access is a nuanced task. Utilizing Role-Based Access Controls (RBAC) is akin to handing out keys selectively in a secure facility. By assigning roles to users, organizations achieve precise control over who can access specific data and features. This separation of duties enhances security and streamlines workflows by limiting access to job-specific tasks.
As your organization evolves, RBAC allows adjustments to access levels as needed. Embrace the power of RBAC to ensure your Azure environment is safeguarded against unauthorized intrusions.
<h3>Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)</h3>
Relying solely on passwords is like leaving your front door unlocked. There's a door, and it's closed, but someone only has to go up and try the handle.
Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), preferably of the "something you have" variety (software token, hardware key), gets you one step closer to the recommended trio of authentication steps: something you know, something you have, and something you are.
Emphasize the significance of MFA, especially on mobile devices where vulnerabilities can be exploited. This security measure requires users to provide multiple forms of identification, such as a password and a verification code, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Elevate your security posture by making MFA a non-negotiable aspect of your Azure environment.
Read more: <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2fa-vs-mfa" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">2FA vs MFA: Are they the same?</a>
<h3>Use Strong Passwords</h3>
Azure handles SSO for many services, but passwords are still broadly used and needed, and they need to be strong.&nbsp;
The problem is that imposing requirements but leaving it up to the user to store/memorize the password, results in bad practices. Change it every 3 months? 'password1' becomes 'password2'. Special character and uppercase? Fine, I'll go with 'Password1!'. Has to be 12 characters? How about 'password1111'?&nbsp;
Password length and variety&nbsp;are cornerstones of secure passwords, but you need to provide a password manager so your employees aren't tempted to create weak, reused passwords.
Use a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password generator</a> for quick, secure passwords.&nbsp;
Most password managers have browser extensions that can easily autofill those complex passwords for you. Removing friction is key for your employees - especially those less tech-savvy - to use the software you provide for everyone's security.&nbsp;
For an in-depth guide, read our <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-password-security-teampassword" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Ultimate Guide to Password Security</a>
<h3>Leverage Azure Security Center</h3>
Azure Security Center stands as a comprehensive solution, acting as a sentinel for your security management. Its unified platform allows you to manage both Azure and non-Azure clouds efficiently, bringing simplicity to the complex realm of cloud security.
Capitalize on its robust threat detection capabilities, ensuring you are promptly notified of potential threats to your services and networks. Additionally, benefit from actionable insights provided by security recommendations, allowing you to stay one step ahead of potential security risks.
By adopting and integrating these best security practices into your Azure environment, you fortify your defenses against potential cyber threats and ensure a resilient security posture in the digital age.
<h2 id="teampasswordelevatesecurity">How TeamPassword Can Elevate Your Security</h2>
Passwords aren't disappearing anytime soon. SSO solutions and <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/passkey-technology" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">passkeys</a> continue to improve, but companies are slow to change, and passwords are easily implemented and familiar.&nbsp;
If you want your employees to use secure passwords, you need to provide them with the tools to do so. TeamPassword is a <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">secure</a>, <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">straightforward</a>, and cost-effective password manager for businesses.&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Try it for free for 14 days</a> - no credit card required!&nbsp;

Looking for ways to enhance your cyber security with Microsoft Azure? Check out our  Microsoft Azure security best practices and how TeamPassword can help!

Looking for ways to enhance your cyber security with Microsoft Azure? Check out our  Microsoft Azure security ...

Microsoft Azure Security Best Practices | Keep Azure Secure

Social media is the core of modern marketing strategy. It's an opportunity for brands to engage with their target market while driving traffic to products and services.
Many social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest only allow a single account login&mdash;meaning team members have to share credentials. It's also common for agencies to use their client's login credentials temporarily while working with them.&nbsp;
Why do you need to share social media credentials securely?&nbsp;
If you're not securely sharing social media credentials with teammates and clients, you could expose your company, clients, and customers to cyberattacks from malicious actors and data leaks.&nbsp;
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#securityrisks" rel="follow">Security risks of managing social media accounts</a></li>
<li><a href="#usingapasswordmanager" rel="follow">Using a password manager for social media credentials</a></li>
<li><a href="#othertools" rel="follow">Other tools to manage social media securely</a></li>
<li><a href="#managingallyourtools" rel="follow">Managing ALL Your Tools and Digital Assets With TeamPassword</a></li>
</ul>
TeamPassword is a <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password manager</a> designed to help small businesses and agencies <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-safely-share-passwords-with-coworkers" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">share credentials with coworkers safely</a> and efficiently. Try TeamPassword for your company with a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">14-day free trial</a>.
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<h2 id="securityrisks">Security Risks of Managing Social Media Accounts</h2>
Social media accounts are usually a high-risk digital asset to manage because multiple team members share a single login.&nbsp;
Reckless and unsafe password sharing methods like spreadsheets, emails, or text messages, increase your vulnerability to attack&mdash;even by mistake!
For example, someone could accidentally share access to a spreadsheet containing your social media accounts' credentials. Emails and text messages are also easy to share.
You also have to worry about sharing these credentials with freelancers and contractors; who has access to their devices or who they share your accounts with!
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<h3>What Happens if Your Passwords end up in the Wrong Hands?</h3>
Several things could happen if your social media passwords end up in the wrong hands:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Attackers could change your email and password, locking you out and holding the account ransom.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Post content to scam users out of money&mdash;one of the fallouts from the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-happened-during-the-twitter-spear-phishing-attack" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">2020 Twitter spear-phishing attack</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Steal customer data from direct messages.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">If you use the same credentials for other social media accounts, hackers could log into those too&mdash;also known as credential stuffing!</li>
</ol>
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<h3>What if you Forget Your Passwords?</h3>
In most cases, you can reset your password very easily using your email address. But there are instances where you might forget your password and no longer have access to the email address&mdash;something that's very possible at a company where the person who set up the social media account has left the company!
If you've forgotten your Facebook password, you have several recovery options, but other social media platforms only allow a standard password reset.&nbsp;
Recovering a social media account without access to an email address is near impossible. Just getting customer support to help you is a monumental challenge. Ever tried to contact customer support at a social media company? They rarely ever reply or offer any meaningful support!
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<h3>The Responsibility of Clients' Social Media Assets</h3>
Marketing agencies also need to consider the risk of losing their clients' social media accounts to hackers&mdash;which could be disastrous for a client's brand and your contract!
Not only do you have to worry about the social media accounts themselves, but hackers using the profile's contact details (like mobile number and email) for spear phishing attacks on your clients.
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You can manage these social media risks with one easy and affordable <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password management solution from TeamPassword</a>.
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<h2 id="usingapasswordmanager">Using a Password Manager for Social Media Credentials</h2>
A password manager lets you store and <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/keeping-data-secure-when-working-with-freelancers" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">share credentials with freelancers</a> and employees. We designed TeamPassword for small businesses and agencies to share credentials with internal and external team members securely.

<h3>Sharing Social Media Credentials Through Groups</h3>
Create groups for your social media accounts in TeamPassword and invite team members who need access. When someone leaves the team, simply revoke their access with a single click.
TeamPassword lets you connect multiple groups to the same credentials so that you can separate access by internal teams, freelancers, and clients, for example. This separation makes it easier to manage an entire group or set different rules for each team.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/YcjhIgIrQbiqaYlPjeVI" alt="undefined" width="736" height="480">
<h3>Logging in Using TeamPassword</h3>
Instead of using a username and password to log in to social media accounts, team members can use TeamPassword's browser extensions or our mobile app.
TeamPassword has browser extensions for Firefox, Chrome, and Safari so that team members can access accounts no matter their preferred operating system.&nbsp;
When a team member logs into a social media platform, TeamPassword's browser extension shows the available accounts. There's also a search function to quickly find the credentials. Select the one you need, and TeamPassword populates the username and password fields for you to log in&mdash;easy!
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/0gCOt5oQBCE1vxckmRZC" alt="TP extension in action GIF (video) (1).gif" width="787" height="443">
Teams can also use TeamPassword's app (iOS and Android) to log into mobile-only applications. They can search for the credentials in TeamPassword, then copy/paste the username and password to log in.
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<h3>Robust Usernames and Passwords</h3>
Create robust passwords for every social media account with TeamPassword's built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password generator</a>, and learn how to create your own&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/best-types-of-usernames-username-ideas-to-make-your-logins-more-secure" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">usernames</a> to make credentials extra secure!
TeamPassword's password generator lets you create passwords from 12-32 characters with numbers, uppercase, lowercase, and symbols. When you reset a password in TeamPassword, it updates the new credentials for all team members so work can continue without disruptions.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Securing TeamPassword With Two-Step Authentication</h3>
What happens if attackers steal someone's TeamPassword credentials? Every <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/password-manager-with-2fa">TeamPassword account has 2FA</a> so that team members can create a second authentication step using the Google Authenticator app (iOS &amp; Android).
So, if attackers steal a team member's TeamPassword account, they can't log in without the six-digital Google Authenticator code. Employees can also generate backup codes, so they never get locked out of their TeamPassword account.
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<h3>Tracking Activity</h3>
TeamPassword's activity log lets you track team members' actions like logins, sharing, password resets, new team members, and more. The activity log also helps investigate unauthorized sharing and access.
You can also set up email notifications for all TeamPassword actions to get instant alerts to sensitive accounts.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/OPlwxwskSCGTs0vVbzgK" alt="undefined" width="735" height="174">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2 id="othertools">Other Tools to Manage Social Media Securely</h2>
Social media management tools not only help manage accounts but also limit access to social media accounts. Teams can do a lot of social media tasks through these apps, minimizing the necessity to log into the actual social media platform.
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Here are some of our five top social media tools for 2021.
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<h3>Buffer</h3>
Buffer is a popular social media management and analytics platform. You can schedule, publish, and engage with followers, so team members can do most of the work from Buffer rather than logging into the social media account.
You have to pay per social media account and double for the team pack add-on, so it might be best to get the single user and share access through TeamPassword.
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<h3>Hootsuite</h3>
Hootsuite is one of the largest and most comprehensive social media management tools available. They also have a fantastic resources section and Hootsuite Academy to learn about social media strategies and getting the most out of the tool.
Hootsuite is slightly cheaper than Buffer, but you still pay more for additional users, so we recommend using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> and sharing credentials.
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<h3>Sprout Social</h3>
Sprout Social is another social media management application, but with excellent monitoring and analysis tools. The UI makes it easy to generate reports and insights into hashtags, trends, engagement, user data, and more!
At $99 per month per user, Sprout Social is expensive, so you might want to consider sharing access rather than having a separate login for every person.
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<h3>BuzzSumo</h3>
BuzzSumo is an excellent tool for discovering the most shared blog content on social media. You can also find influencers in your niche that are likely to share or promote your content.
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<h3>MeetEdgar</h3>
MeetEdgar is the social media management tool for small businesses and startups. The app automates many mundane social media tasks and will even recycle old content on the days you forget to schedule something!
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<h2 id="managingallyourtools">Managing ALL Your Tools and Digital Assets With TeamPassword</h2>
TeamPassword's password manager is not just for social media accounts but all your company's digital assets.
Each team member can also store their private credentials (Slack, email, LinkedIn, etc.) in TeamPassword, so no company passwords are ever exposed!
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<h3>Is TeamPassword Safe?</h3>
TeamPassword uses <a href="https://teampassword.com/security">state-of-the-art encryption technology</a> to store your company's passwords. We hash, salt, and encrypt passwords locally on your computer before uploading them to our servers&mdash;not even TeamPassword employees can view your passwords!
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Our developers follow strict security protocols when deploying code and updates and carry out frequent vulnerability sweeps to scan our systems for viruses and ensure no backdoors lead to your sensitive data.
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<h3>Getting Started With TeamPassword</h3>
How your company can get started sharing passwords safely in five easy steps:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a free 14-day trial</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Add your company's shared credentials to TeamPassword</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Invite team members to create their TeamPassword account&mdash;make sure you instruct everyone to set up 2FA and security codes before they start using their account</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Create groups and share access with relevant team members</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Team members use TeamPassword's browser extensions or mobile app to log into accounts</li>
</ol>
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Secure your company's social media accounts and other digital assets with TeamPassword's robust password management solution today!

Secure your company's social media accounts and other digital assets with TeamPassword's robust password management solution today!

Sharing Social media credentials with teammates

Sharing social media credentials with teammates

Google's password manager provides the convenience to create, store, and use our many account credentials. You can preview these credentials in your Google password list, allowing you to log in to accounts on other browsers or devices.
We'll show you how to find your Google password list, demonstrate why you'd want to avoid <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-save-passwords-in-chrome-and-alternatives" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">saving passwords to Chrome</a>, and recommend a more secure password management solution.
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#whatisagooglepasswordlist" rel="follow">What is a Google Password List?</a></li>
<li><a href="#howtoenable" rel="follow">How to Enable Google's Password Manager</a></li>
<li><a href="#howtoview" rel="follow">How to View Google's Password List</a></li>
<li><a href="#therisks" rel="follow">The Risks of Saving Passwords in the Browser</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="whatisagooglepasswordlist">What is a Google Password List?</h2>
A Google password list is where Chrome saves all of your account credentials. You can scroll through every saved password, preview passwords, edit or delete credentials.
Most people use the Google password list to preview passwords to log into accounts using another browser or device. For example, if you reset your Facebook password using Chrome, the browser will save the new credentials for you&mdash;that's assuming you have Chrome's Offer to save passwords feature activated.
If you need to log into Facebook on your phone (but don't remember the new credentials), you'll need to go to your Google password list to find the new password you saved.
<h2 id="howtoenable">How to Enable Google's Password Manager</h2>
Here is a step-by-step guide to&nbsp;enable Chrome to save your passwords using the browser's built-in password manager.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sign into the Chrome browser using your Google account to start.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Click your profile icon &gt; click the key symbol. Alternatively, click the menu icon (three vertical dots) to the right of your profile pic and select Settings.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Click&nbsp;Autofill and passwords on the left, then Google&nbsp;Password Manager&mdash;you are now in your Google password list, where you can preview, edit, and delete passwords.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">If you want to enable Google's password manager, make sure the toggle is on (illuminated blue) for Offer to save passwords.</li>
</ol>
You can read more about <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-save-passwords-in-chrome-and-alternatives" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">saving passwords to Chrome here</a>.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/whcpyfERhKNvXpthXVyA" alt="undefined" width="809" height="302">
<h2 id="howtoview">How to View Google's Password List</h2>
Here are 4 steps to find and view your Google Password List. 
<ol>
<li>Sign-in to the Chrome browser using your Google account.</li>
<li>Click your profile icon &gt; click the key symbol. Alternatively, click the menu icon (three vertical dots) to the right of your profile pic and select Settings.</li>
<li>Select Autofill and passwords on the left, then&nbsp;Google Password Manager.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The Passwords tab shows you all Saved Passwords. Click to expand and see notes or make edits.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/lXuNIUSBRjixbDAOgTCN" alt="undefined" width="821" height="173">
<h2 id="therisks">The Risks of Saving Passwords in the Browser</h2>
Saving passwords to the browser is easy and convenient. But, many people don't fully understand the cybersecurity risks these "password managers" pose.
While Chrome promises to encrypt your data before it leaves your device, they do not promise zero-knowledge or end-to-end encryption.&nbsp;Users can be socially engineered to download malicious browser extensions that capture data in Chrome. 
A dedicated password manager features advanced <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-password-encryption-and-how-much-is-enough" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password encryption</a>, mitigating the risks of a data breach.
If you want to continue using Chrome's password manager, you should at least <a href="https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/11350823?hl=en&amp;visit_id=637877049232061402-3698589533&amp;p=import-pws&amp;rd=1" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">enable on-device encryption</a>. Chrome doesn't require it - and how many users know to look for that setting?&nbsp;
Browser password managers lack features like secure password sharing between families and colleagues, a variety of MFA options like hardware keys, or single sign-on (SSO) solutions. Additionally, if you switch browsers, your passwords won't be there. Most dedicated password managers work on all major browsers and operating systems.&nbsp;
<h2>How is a Password Manager Browser Extension Different?</h2>
Most password managers use browser extensions, but how is this different from saving passwords to a browser?
Firstly, a password manager doesn't save your passwords in the browser; it simply uses the browser extension like a key to authenticate you. For example, TeamPassword saves your encrypted credentials on a secure server, not in its browser extension!
A password manager browser extension requires a separate sign-in. If someone hacks your browser (or Google account), they'll need different credentials to sign in to the password manager.&nbsp;
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/password-manager-with-2fa" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword features two-factor authentication</a> (2FA), so even if someone steals your credentials, the second authentication method prevents them from logging in!
Lastly, browser password managers don't provide secure credential-sharing functionality, so you can't share <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-safely-share-passwords-with-coworkers" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">passwords safely with team members</a>.
If you're a freelancer or small business looking for better password security, then you'll need a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password manager like TeamPassword</a>.
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<h2>Secure Password Management With TeamPassword</h2>
We built <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> as a secure and affordable password management solution for small businesses and agencies to share passwords safely.
Many agencies still use browser password managers, spreadsheets, chat, or email to store and share passwords. All of these methods are insecure and pose massive cybersecurity risks.
We highly recommend you conduct a thorough <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-a-security-audit-and-does-my-business-need-one">security audit</a> for a clear picture of your company's cybersecurity vulnerabilities. A security audit will identify password issues and how to fix them.
If your company isn't using a password manager, then we highly recommend you start! You only have to read about the latest <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/category/data-breaches">data breaches</a> to learn that most cyberattacks happen due to poor credential practices.
Here's how TeamPassword's security features can help secure your company's digital assets.
<h3>Secure Credential Sharing &amp; Authentication</h3>
TeamPassword's strongest feature is its ability to share passwords securely. Something your browser cannot do!
Set up groups for different departments, accounts, clients, or teams, for example. Instead of sharing raw passwords, you invite team members to your TeamPassword groups so they can access credentials and log in.
Each team member can also save private credentials in TeamPassword that they don't need to share&mdash;like Slack, email, Asana, etc. Passwords they would usually save in the browser!
You can also share access with freelancers and contractors in TeamPassword. Add these individuals to the groups or accounts where they need access, and remove them when the job is done. No need to change credentials every time someone leaves the team!
<h3>TeamPassword's Secure Browser Extensions &amp; App</h3>
Your employees can log into shared accounts using one of TeamPassword's browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) or our mobile app (iOS &amp; Android).
When a team member visits one of your websites or apps, the browser extension will provide the credentials to log in. If you have multiple accounts, you simply click the one you need.&nbsp;
For example, if your company manages multiple Twitter accounts when a team member lands on the Twitter login, TeamPassword will show a list of available credentials.
Employees can also use the TeamPassword app to log into mobile applications. They open TeamPassword, find the credentials they need, and copy/paste the username and password to log in.
<h3>Built-In Password Manager</h3>
TeamPassword's built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a> lets you create secure, unique passwords with a single click. Copy this new password to the application's password field and save!
TeamPassword will automatically update any new passwords for all users so team members can continue working without disruption.
You can also use TeamPassword's password generator to create <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/best-types-of-usernames-username-ideas-to-make-your-logins-more-secure">unique usernames</a>, adding an extra layer of security to your credentials!
<h3>Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</h3>
TeamPassword uses Google Authenticator (iOS &amp; Android) to provide two-factor authentication for each team member's account. 2FA provides a second authentication step, so even if a criminal steals an employee's TeamPassword credentials, they won't get past the second step!
TeamPassword also allows each team member to create backup codes, so they're never locked out of their account&mdash;even in the event of a complete system breach!
<h3>Keeping Track of TeamPassword Activity</h3>
An activity log is another feature browser password managers don't possess. TeamPassword's activity log tracks every action (logins, sharing, new passwords, etc.) so you can monitor or review unauthorized sharing and access.
Additionally, you can set up email notifications for your most sensitive data and accounts. With instant alerts, you can get ahead of security breaches!
<h3>How Safe is TeamPassword's Password Manager?</h3>
TeamPassword <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">uses state-of-the-art encryption technology</a> to store your company's passwords. We hash, salt, and encrypt data locally on your PC before uploading passwords to our servers.
TeamPassword uses 256-bit AES encryption, trusted by government agencies (including the United States) and global multinational corporations. With this sort of encryption, not even TeamPassword can view your credentials!
Here is a list of TeamPassword's internationally recognized security accreditations:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">ISO 27001</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">SOC 1 and SOC 2/SSAE 16/ISAE 3402 (Previously SAS 70 Type II)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">PCI Level 1</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">FISMA Moderate</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)</li>
</ul>
TeamPassword also conducts regular security audits and vulnerability sweeps to ensure our systems are malware and virus-free!
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<h2>Getting Started With TeamPassword</h2>
Try TeamPassword for free for 14 days to see if our password manager meets your company's needs. Here's how to get started in five easy steps:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Sign up for a free TeamPassword trial</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Create groups for your different teams</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Invite team members (including clients and freelancers) to TeamPassword</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Add your company's credentials (you can also bulk import a CSV file or copy/paste using TeamPassword's importer.)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Team members install the TeamPassword browser extension of their choice and log in to your company accounts&mdash;EASY!</li>
</ol>
Stop employees from saving passwords in the browser and switch to a secure password manager. Create stronger passwords and share credentials securely with TeamPassword.&nbsp;

How to find your Google Password List, and why using a password manager like TeamPassword is much safer than saving passwords in Chrome.

How to find your Google Password List, and why using a password manager like TeamPassword is much safer ...

How to Find my Google Password List

Welcome to the world of passkey security, where the key to unlocking your digital fortress is simpler, yet more robust than ever. In this blog, we'll break down the basics of passkeys, explore how they work, and delve into their advantages and potential challenges.
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#understandingthebasics" rel="follow">Passkey Security: Understanding the Basics</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#passkeysandmfa" rel="follow">Passkeys and MFA</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#howdoespasskeysecuritywork" rel="follow">How Does Passkey Security Work?&nbsp;</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#advantagesofpasskeysecurity" rel="follow">Advantages of Passkey Security</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#bestpractices" rel="follow">Best Practices for Passkey Security</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="understandingthebasics">Passkey Security: Understanding the Basics</h2>
If you want to protect your data from cyberattacks, you need to use strong and secure authentication methods. One of the most effective ways to do that is by using passkeys. But what are passkeys and <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/passkey-vs-password" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">how do they differ from traditional passwords</a>?
A passkey refers to a cryptographic key pair that together encrypts and decrypts data. Unlike passwords, the passkey is never seen by the user.
If you don't know the passkey, how do you use it?
When creating a passkey for a new account, you'll verify your intent by unlocking the device using your PIN or biometrics. Your operating system creates a unique cryptographic key pair; one key is stored on the application or website where you're making an account, while the other is stored in secure elements on your device (such as secure enclaves or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_Platform_Module" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">trusted platform modules (TPMs)</a>).
When you return to log into your account, you'll need to verify yourself as the device owner with that same PIN or biometric.
Passkeys are highly resistant to stealing, guessing, and brute-forcing, and cannot be phished. A criminal's best bet is to steal your device and biometric data that unlocks it.&nbsp;
One drawback is that only this device is authorized to log into the account. This inconvenience is being overcome, however, as tech giants like Google and Apple give you the option to sync your passkeys with your Google or iCloud account. Third-party password managers are implementing passkey support as well.&nbsp;It's important to understand that this puts the security of your private key in their hands.&nbsp;
A full walkthrough of setting up a passkey, understanding what is stored where, and handling roaming can be found <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/passkey-technology#:~:text=device%20FIDO%20credentials-,Passkey%20Login%20Examples,-Note%3A%C2%A0Below" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;
<h2 id="passkeysandmfa">Passkeys and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)</h2>
Part of a passkey's appeal is that it combines the security elements achieved by passwords + MFA.
Passkeys require something you are or&nbsp;know (biometrics, PIN) plus something you&nbsp;possess (the device you authorized to store the cryptographic key pair - usually your phone).&nbsp;
The password + MFA setup requires two steps to achieve this. You need a password (something you know) and something else you know or are supposed to possess (software token from 2FA app, the code texted to your phone). But <a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/03/can-we-stop-pretending-sms-is-secure-now/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">SMS as a 2FA solution has severe drawbacks</a>, and people's <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-password-security-teampassword" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password hygiene habits</a> aren't keeping up.
By combining elements of MFA with phishing-resistant cryptographic key pairs, passkeys increase convenience and improve security - a rare package in cybersecurity.&nbsp;
<h2 id="howdoespasskeysecuritywork">How Does Passkey Security Work?</h2>
Now that we've laid the groundwork, let's explore the inner workings of passkey security.
<h3>Passkey Generation</h3>
Passkey generation refers to the process of creating a unique cryptographic key pair for use in an authentication process. Passkeys replace the most common authentication method of username/password.
Here's an overview of the key components of passkey generation:
<ul>
<li>Randomness: Passkeys are designed to be unpredictable and difficult to guess. To achieve this, cryptographic systems often use sources of entropy, such as random number generators, to ensure that the generated passkey is truly random.</li>
<li>Asymmetric-key cryptography: This involves a pair of keys &ndash; a public key and a private key. The passkey generation process generates these key pairs. The public key is stored on a server, but it is useless without the private key, which is stored on your device. Data encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted by the corresponding private key.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Secure Storage: Once generated, passkeys need to be securely stored. This is crucial, especially for private keys in asymmetric cryptography. Unauthorized access to the keys compromises the security of the system.</li>
</ul>
Details of passkey generation may vary depending on the specific cryptographic protocols or standards being used. Additionally, security best practices and standards evolve over time, so if you plan to implement passkeys from a developer's perspective or wish to know the latest in passkey security enhancements, you'll be best served by the <a href="https://fidoalliance.org/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">FIDO Alliance website</a>.
<h3>Public and Private Keys</h3>
Enter the concept of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-key_cryptography" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">public and private keys</a>. In passkey security, the public key is stored in an online database, while the private key remains on the user's device, or is "roamed" to other devices by a service like iCloud Keychain. This asymmetrical approach adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that even if the public key falls into the wrong hands, it remains useless without its counterpart.
Note: There are now several methods to sync your private key online and skip the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/passkey-technology#:~:text=Now%2C%20I%20need%20to%20log%20in%20on%20my%20Macbook." rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Bluetooth authentication ceremony</a> normally required to enroll a new device. Syncing your private key places the security of said key in the hands of Google, Apple, or a third-party password manager. Whether or not this is a worthwhile tradeoff is up to you and your use case.&nbsp;
<h2 id="advantagesofpasskeysecurity">Advantages of Passkey Security</h2>
Let's explore why passkey security is gaining traction in the digital landscape.
<h3>Increased Security</h3>
Leaked and stolen passwords, phished 2FA tokens, and social engineering attacks continue to cost millions for businesses and wreak havoc for consumers.&nbsp;
Passkeys can't be phished, obtained through social engineering, or tricked into signing into a fake website. Passkeys are always long and random - something fallible humans continue to miss with passwords despite warnings from every side.
Together, these features eliminate the main downfalls of passwords.&nbsp;
<h3>User-Friendly Authentication</h3>
Say goodbye to complex password requirements and forgotten combinations. Passkeys streamline the authentication process, offering a user-friendly experience without compromising security.
<h2 id="challenges">Challenges and Considerations</h2>
As with any security system, passkeys come with their own challenges.
The features that make passkeys secure make managing them trickier.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Passkeys can't be exported and imported between ecosystems at the time of this writing.</li>
</ul>
It's partly a security problem, but what incentive do vendors have to make it easy to transfer passkeys from Google Password Manager to iCloud Keychain, or from Keychain to a third-party password manager? If you have your passkeys in iCloud Keychain and decide to switch to Android, you'll have a lot of manual work to do setting up new passkeys for your accounts.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>If your passkey isn't synced and you lose the device storing it, how do you create a new passkey?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Relying parties (websites/applications) don't have a good answer. Sending a "reset passkey" email is off the table - it undoes the security benefits passkeys provide.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Corporate security policies are slow to change - passkeys are not. </li>
</ul>
How will corporate security teams handle their users using passkeys? In the vast majority of cases, passkeys are more secure, yet most companies have no documentation or policies around how they should be used, whether or not the private key can be synced and to what vendor, etc. Passkeys will be adopted slowly and messily.&nbsp;
<h2 id="bestpractices">Best Practices for Passkey Security</h2>
The critical element in passkey security is device security. If you lose your smartphone and it's only protected with a PIN like 1234, you risk your passkey-protected accounts being compromised.&nbsp;
The best thing you can do is to never leave your devices unattended where they could be stolen, and secure them with biometrics or a strong PIN.&nbsp;
You may wish to opt out of syncing your passkeys to a third-party password manager. A Bluetooth authentication ceremony will be required to authenticate a new device to use the website/application, but the private key security remains on your device.
<h2>Increase Security with TeamPassword</h2>
Passkeys lack universal support; password security remains critical. If you share passwords with colleagues and seek an effortless, secure, and cost-effective solution, test out TeamPassword.
TeamPassword prioritizes seamless implementation, <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">user-friendliness</a>, <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">security</a>, and outstanding customer support.
Need evidence? Explore <a href="https://www.g2.com/products/teampassword/reviews#reviews" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">customer testimonials on G2</a>.
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Try us for free for 14 days!</a>&nbsp;

Struggling to understand the difference between a password and passkey security? Our comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know!

Struggling to understand the difference between a password and passkey security? Our comprehensive guide will walk you through ...

Passkey Security | Understanding How Passkeys Keep You Secure

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face a growing number of serious cybersecurity threats in the modern age, especially as malicious actors develop more sophisticated attack vectors and techniques. According to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.blackfog.com/smbs-were-victims-cyberattack/" href="https://www.blackfog.com/smbs-were-victims-cyberattack/">a June 2023 study by BlackFog</a>, 61% of small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. and U.K. were the victims of successful cyber attacks in the previous year. A large number of these impacted organizations faced downtime during critical operating hours and customer data loss.
SMEs find themselves in a particularly vulnerable cybersecurity position, as they're large enough to have multiple applications and data sources that can fall prey to attacks but small enough that they may not have up-to-date, enterprise-level security safeguards in place. In many cases, these organizations do not think they have the internal budget and know-how to set up their cybersecurity infrastructure for success.
Fortunately, there are many low-cost and no-cost steps you can take to optimize your SME's cybersecurity setup. In this guide, we'll walk you through some of the best practices, tools, and strategies you can adopt for more effective cybersecurity management.
But before we dive into the five most effective ways to keep your SME secure, we've compiled a quick list of key takeaways from this article:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Key Takeaway #1: SMEs face unique cybersecurity threats, but there are many low-cost and easy-to-implement solutions that can mitigate these threats across an organization.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Key Takeaway #2: Employees at all levels in your organization can act as a gateway to security threats; train all staff on cybersecurity and password best practices to improve your overall cybersecurity posture.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Key Takeaway #3: Invest in relevant cybersecurity software and services, but more importantly, make sure all existing components in your network are regularly monitored, audited, and updated.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Key Takeaway #4: Password managers offer a low-cost way for organizations to manage individual, team, and company-wide credentials in a secure and accessible format.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Key Takeaway #5: Your data is an asset to you but a liability in the wrong hands; invest in tools like TeamPassword that prioritize and support data security and compliance best practices.</li>
</ul>
Table of Contents
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#whyiscybersecurityimportant" rel="follow">Why Is Cybersecurity Important for SMEs?</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#commoncybersecuritythreats" rel="follow">Common Cybersecurity Threats for SMEs</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#5waystokeepyoursmesecure" rel="follow">5 Ways to Keep Your SME Secure</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#strengthenyoursme" rel="follow">Strengthen Your SME Security with the Help of TeamPassword</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="whyiscybersecurityimportant">Why Is Cybersecurity Important for SMEs?</h2>
Cybersecurity protections are an important part of ensuring an SME's operations stay up and running, no matter how threat actors behave and other external factors change. These are some of the key ways in which a strong cybersecurity strategy can benefit your SME:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Data Protection: Small and medium-sized enterprises work with a wide variety of applications, hardware, software, and datasets that may include sensitive or proprietary information. Setting up data security tools and best practices gives security administrators more visibility into how data is being used, enables data encryption, and notifies administrators if/when data becomes vulnerable to attack.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Financial Security: Many cybersecurity tools protect data privacy and adhere to data compliance regulations, including strict regulations in the financial sector. Investing in the right cybersecurity tools and frameworks can support more secure financial transactions, give administrators an interface to monitor financial data for fraud, and provide businesses with the tools they need to encrypt and otherwise protect financial data and comply with regulations like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX).</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Business Continuity: A successful cybersecurity attack can lead to a range of problems, including data loss and network downtime and disruptions. With cybersecurity tools and strategies in place, your organization can prevent these kinds of disruptions by proactively detecting threats and quickly determining and acting on an incident response strategy.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Adherence to Compliance and Legal Obligations: Many compliance laws and other kinds of regulations have strict rules about how and by whom data can be handled. A cybersecurity strategy that emphasizes data security and encryption can help your organization pass audits with flying colors, protect customer data, and maintain your reputation as a compliant operator.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="commoncybersecuritythreats">Common Cybersecurity Threats for SMEs</h2>
SME cybersecurity threats may target individual users, third-party applications, storage systems, databases, or other elements of your organization's network. Some of the most common ways in which bad actors launch attacks against SMEs include the following:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Phishing: Phishing is a communication-driven attack vector in which hackers send messages with malicious code, malware, or other subtle attacks to individual network users, most often via email. It's an effective cyber attack method because it targets multiple users with believable messages that can lead to accidental information leakages at scale.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Ransomware: This type of malware is one in which malicious code is installed on an enterprise network in a way that shuts down key operations and data access until the victim pays a ransom to the attacker. It most often impacts SMEs when their core applications are outdated or otherwise lacking in perimeter security protections and can lead to data loss and public leaks.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Viruses: A type of malware attack in which the attack code is multiplied and used to infect other tools and programs in the same system. Viruses can quickly take over an entire computer or network if no protections are in place against lateral movement; this type of takeover can lead to network downtime, data loss or theft, and other operational issues.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Malware: Any type of malicious software that is used to infiltrate a business network and cause some type of damage. Malware can be difficult to detect and remove, and even once it's removed, the damage may already be done in the form of data loss or corruption.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Password Hacking: When hackers attempt to gain unauthorized access to networks and related systems and accounts by exploiting password and credential vulnerabilities with brute-force attacks, phishing, or credential stuffing. Password hacking can give unauthorized users access to your most sensitive data and systems, resulting in data loss or corruption, fraud, and/or noncompliance issues.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="5waystokeepyoursmesecure">5 Ways to Keep Your SME Secure</h2>
Regardless of the budget and current in-house cybersecurity expertise your team has, there are many best practices and strategies that can improve your SME's overall security posture. These five tips will get you started in securing your organization's most important assets:
<h3>1. Train Employees on Cybersecurity Best Practices</h3>
An organization's most important asset is its people, but people can also become a cybersecurity liability if they aren't trained on how to uphold security and privacy best practices in their daily work. Offering regular cybersecurity training sessions to employees throughout the organization is a great practice, as it educates them on a range of potential threats and the role they can unknowingly play in opening the organization to new threats.
Whatever training you develop should cover best practices, like not clicking on links in suspicious-looking emails, and the importance of using strong <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/best-types-of-usernames-username-ideas-to-make-your-logins-more-secure" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/best-types-of-usernames-username-ideas-to-make-your-logins-more-secure">usernames</a>, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/ko/blog/password-best-practices-what-makes-a-strong-password" href="https://teampassword.com/ko/blog/password-best-practices-what-makes-a-strong-password">passwords</a>, and other user credentials. Also, give employees a clear process for reporting suspicious activity or suspected threats; a ticketing system or threat monitoring system that can accept user notifications is a possibility.
<h3>2. Use Strong Authentication Measures</h3>
Making sure users are who they say they are is one of the easiest ways to prevent unauthorized access to and behaviors on your organization's network. Strong authentication measures, like multi-factor authentication (MFA), device registration, and/or credentials-based logins give employees access to everything they need without opening the floodgates to everyone else.
However, authentication measures like passwords are only as effective as the credentials that are used. If users are regularly picking easy-to-guess passwords or sharing their credentials with other users through unencrypted and unsecured channels, bad actors can fairly easily phish out those credentials and get into your network. It's important to not only set but enforce standards for unique password creation and secure sharing to prevent these kinds of scenarios.
Password managers offer <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/security" href="https://teampassword.com/security">built-in security features and benefits</a> and are great solutions for any organization that wants a more standardized way to generate and manage user passwords. For example, TeamPassword supports secure group-based credentials-sharing and gives administrators real-time visibility into password and user group activities that may lead to security incidents.
<h3>3. Complete Regular System Maintenance Tasks</h3>
Besides user error, outdated software and operating systems are some of the most common gateways for cyber attacks. Software providers regularly identify issues in their products and patch or completely revamp their products to fix the problem, but if your team does not keep up-to-date with these third-party changes and recommendations, hackers can quickly pick up on the presence of out-of-date tools and find ways to get into your network and wreak havoc.
Whether it's a tool you've spun up internally or a third-party application, your team should prioritize keeping all software, operating systems, antivirus programs, and applications up to date and regularly check with third-party vendors for updates that minimize risk.
However, depending on the number of third-party tools you're using, this can become an overwhelming process. Consider investing in tools like vulnerability scanners, patch management systems, continuous monitoring tools, and security information and event management (SIEM) systems to automate and scale the process of system maintenance across your network.
<h3>4. Increase Network Security</h3>
Your organization's WiFi network includes infrastructure that can easily be compromised if you're not intentional with your network security practices. When it comes to your WiFi network, be sure to use encryption, unique network names, and regularly updated passwords, and keep track of all of this information with thorough and secure documentation. If possible, you should also set up your WiFi as a private network with only authorized users, as public WiFi networks provide limited safeguards against hackers.
It's important to note that, in the modern cloud, hybrid, and multi-cloud networks, traditional network and perimeter security practices aren't nearly as effective as they used to be. It's certainly still important to maintain firewalls and WiFi best practices, but modern network security techniques and tools may be necessary. One of the following tool types may be what you need to up your network security game:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Endpoint detection and response (EDR) or extended detection and response (XDR).</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Secure access service edge (SASE).</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Security information and event management (SIEM).</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR).</li>
</ul>
<h3>5. Back Up Data Regularly</h3>
Regularly backing up data ensures that your organization's most important data &mdash; including financial transactions, customer profiles, product information, and more &mdash;is stored in a secure, secondary location. It's important that data backups are not conducted as a one-time effort but as a regular part of your business operations. In the event of a cyber attack, up-to-date backups allow you to quickly restore any data that was lost to a virus or other malware attack.
The data that you back up should also be encrypted, both in transit and at rest, especially if it is data that is subject to compliance regulations and rules. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-password-encryption-and-how-much-is-enough" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-password-encryption-and-how-much-is-enough">Encrypting data</a> is one of the most effective ways to protect your data from unauthorized access.
<h2 id="strengthenyoursme">Strengthen Your SME Security with the Help of TeamPassword</h2>
The cybersecurity threat landscape is massive, diverse, and overwhelming, especially for SMEs that may not have up-to-date tooling and training in place to mitigate threats. To add insult to injury, several of the most advanced cybersecurity tools are prohibitively expensive and difficult to set up, meaning many organizations opt out entirely and leave their network vulnerable to more and more attack vectors.
Fortunately, modern SMEs are picking up on the importance of robust cybersecurity tools and comprehensive security best practices and are working to create a more holistic and affordable approach to security management. Tools like password managers have come to the fore in this refocused cybersecurity effort, giving SMEs an accessible and easy-to-implement tool for managing users, systems, and data across the organization.
TeamPassword is a leading password manager for SMEs because it balances ease of use and setup with <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/features" href="https://teampassword.com/features">key features</a> like robust group password management, password generation, administrative controls, and data compliance features.
Looking to get started with a low-cost, capable password manager for your SME? <a rel="follow noopener" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://app.teampassword.com/signup?_gl=1*185nks8*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE2OTY5MTM5MDEuQ2p3S0NBand5WTZwQmhBOUVpd0FNem1md2V3Z2lnOEhhX2hsZ0d5anE1OURScjh6bDFRRV9vVFNVN09feEhFbFFfcHozTklQWGZnaUZob0NwMFFRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*ODA2ODgxMDgxLjE2OTYxMzM2MjU." href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup">Try out TeamPassword today.</a>

Discover essential cybersecurity strategies tailored for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in our comprehensive blog. Learn how to fortify your business against cyber threats with expert insights and practical tips.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face a growing number of serious cybersecurity threats in the modern age, especially ...

SME Cyber Security | 5 Ways to Keep Your SME Secure

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face a growing number of serious cybersecurity threats in the modern age, especially as malicious actors develop more sophisticated attack vectors and techniques. According to a June 2023 study by BlackFog , 61% of small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. and U.K. were the ...

SME Cybersecurity | 5 Ways to Keep Your SME Secure

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

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

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