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

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

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

Have I Been Hacked? How to Know for Sure.

<h2>1: Go To Login URL</h2>
Begin by going to Workday's login page. Either use you company's custom URL, or https://resourcecenter.workday.com/. Click "Reset Password".
<figure class="gc-figure" data-instance-id="83a31b6b-87a0-498c-9fbe-ecf9a68cc538"><img data-gc-id="NTQ3NzQ/UskWOKkLqPcllAk7" draggable="false" data-previews="{&quot;original&quot;:&quot;https://assets.gathercontent.com/NTQ3NzQ/UskWOKkLqPcllAk7?s=892c0297d46ec67f4935f8b423be8d00&quot;,&quot;editor&quot;:&quot;https://assets.gathercontent.com/NTQ3NzQ/UskWOKkLqPcllAk7?auto=format%2Ccompress&amp;fit=max&amp;h=800&amp;q=75&amp;s=ae68bab7a41f6081aa8d998845647335&quot;}" src="https://assets.gathercontent.com/NTQ3NzQ/UskWOKkLqPcllAk7?auto=format%2Ccompress&amp;fit=max&amp;h=800&amp;q=75&amp;s=ae68bab7a41f6081aa8d998845647335" data-presentation="null" data-instance-id="83a31b6b-87a0-498c-9fbe-ecf9a68cc538" /></figure>
<h2>2: Enter Email</h2>
Enter your email address associated with your account and click "Reset Via Email".
<figure class="gc-figure" data-instance-id="1f17d1e1-a1ec-4edf-9d09-9af96a7b8da3"><img data-gc-id="NTQ3NzQ/AXXVA7LqSzRYKaYC" draggable="false" data-previews="{&quot;original&quot;:&quot;https://assets.gathercontent.com/NTQ3NzQ/AXXVA7LqSzRYKaYC?s=b4ff764138c36e7d741cb952cb3b1b85&quot;,&quot;editor&quot;:&quot;https://assets.gathercontent.com/NTQ3NzQ/AXXVA7LqSzRYKaYC?auto=format%2Ccompress&amp;fit=max&amp;h=800&amp;q=75&amp;s=be19cc39e4726b10d6767973b93969e1&quot;}" src="https://assets.gathercontent.com/NTQ3NzQ/AXXVA7LqSzRYKaYC?auto=format%2Ccompress&amp;fit=max&amp;h=800&amp;q=75&amp;s=be19cc39e4726b10d6767973b93969e1" data-presentation="null" data-instance-id="1f17d1e1-a1ec-4edf-9d09-9af96a7b8da3" /></figure>
<h2>3: Send Password Reset Link To Your Email</h2>
After requesting to reset your password via email, you should receive confirmation on screen that an email was sent. Head over to your email inbox, open the email, and click the "Reset Password" link.
*If you cannot find the email in your inbox, be sure to check your spam and junk folder.
<h2>4: Enter New Password</h2>
From here, you will enter your new password twice and click "Reset Password" to complete the process.
<h3>Ensure This Password is Secure</h3>
Most importantly, make you choose a password that is specific to Workday - you don't want to lose access to paystubs or critical employee data! An easy way to generate a secure and hard-to-crack password is with TeamPassword's <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Password Generator</a>.
<h2>Never Forget Your Passwords Again With TeamPassword</h2>
You'll never have to follow a step-by-step reset password guide again after using <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/features" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TeamPassword</a>. This password manager is the best option for companies, teams, and employees because it was created with three things in mind: security, easy-use, and collaboration. With TeamPassword, your saved logins are accessible everywhere, easy to share amongst your coworkers and other collaborators, and even more secure with 2-step verification.

This straightforward guide will take you through the steps to reset your password in Workday.

This straightforward guide will take you through the steps to reset your password in Workday. Never forget your ...

How To Reset Your Workday Password

This straightforward guide will take you through the steps to reset your password in Workday. Never forget your passwords again with TeamPassword's password management for teams!

Have you tried to log in to WordPress only to find you can't remember your password?
You're not alone. With so many different logins and passwords to remember, it's not easy to keep track of everything! Remembering WordPress passwords can get even more tricky for businesses managing multiple websites and logins.
If you can't log in to your WordPress account, don't fret. It's easy to reset! Follow along below for an easy step-by-step guide to reset your WordPress password.
<h2 class="p3">Resetting Your WordPress Password From the Login Screen</h2>
The easiest way to reset your WordPress password is through the login screen. You'll need to use this login method if you cannot access your account.
1. Starting on the WordPress login page, you'll find a "lost your password" button beneath the login box.
2. Enter the email address associated with your WordPress account and select "Lost your password?"
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/IhBSVhWpTaGVha7US2EZ" alt="WordPress login box" width="227" height="276" />
3. Check your email for an email from WordPress. When you open this email, you'll find a confirmation email to click through, which will open up a new tab.
&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/cFKL0YVcQyqYLC9UidtK" alt="WordPress Password Reset Instructions" width="440" height="252" />
4. Enter your new desired password or choose one of the user-generated passwords. Select "Reset Password" to confirm.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/IblQf3QqQeq5syKzi2Vd" alt="WordPress new password generator" width="308" height="480" />
 
5. Your password has been reset. You can now log in with the new WordPress password you've created.
<h2 class="p3">Resetting Your Password From the Admin Panel</h2>
You may want to reset your password even if you haven't forgotten it. The easiest way to reset your WordPress password in this scenario is through the admin panel, using the following steps:
1. Open your WordPress dashboard/admin panel.
2. Select "edit my profile" from the top right-hand side.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/XwJKjly0SPGb7D7M1gZB" alt="WordPress Edit My Profile" width="301" height="181" />
 
3. Find the "Account Management" tab and click "Generate a Password."
4. WordPress will automatically create a password for you. If you do not wish to use this password, delete it and enter your desired password. Aim to have a password in the "strong" category, which will help protect your WordPress account from hackers. Check out these <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">tips and tricks to create a strong password</a> to help you select the best password.
5. Select "Update Profile" to confirm your new password.
6. Store your newly created password in TeamPassword, so you have it handy for next time!
<h2 class="p3">Resetting Your Password Through Two-Factor Authentication&nbsp;</h2>
Adding two-step authentication is a great idea to help protect your WordPress account. Furthermore, two-step authentication helps you reset your password. If you've added the <a href="https://wordpress.com/support/security/two-step-authentication/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">two-step authentication</a> to your account in the past, you'll have the option to reset your WordPress account using your mobile phone number.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/7HQWaYC6To249SXFSpiz" alt="WordPress SMS Password Reset Example" width="443" height="428" />
1. After you've selected SMS password reset, look for a text message code sent to your phone (like the one pictured above in the example).
2. Enter the code in the text message into the password reset box.
3. If the code is entered correctly, you'll be prompted to create a new password.
<h2 class="p3">Resetting Your Password Through phpMyAdmin</h2>
While the two methods of resetting your password above are often the easiest, a few scenarios require different approaches. If you do not have access to the email you used to create your WordPress account, you'll need to reset your password using phpMyAdmin. This method is also used if you aren't receiving the "reset my password" email from WordPress (due to email spam settings). Resetting your password through phpMyAdmin can get tricky, so check with your domain provider on how to access your database.
<h2 class="p3">Using the WordPress Admin to Reset Another User&rsquo;s Password</h2>
If you're managing a team of WordPress users, you can also assist them in resetting their passwords (as long as you are an administrator user). Here's how:
1. Enter the WordPress dashboard. On the left-hand side, select "Users."
2. Find the person listed whose password you wish to reset. Select "Edit" underneath their name.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/u8nd7WSTDaLuulFEzjuD" alt="WordPress Account Management New Password" width="820" height="236" />
3. Scroll down to account management to find the reset password area.
4. Either use the generated password or erase it and enter your desired password.
 
5. Click "Update User" to change the user's password. You're all set!
Avoid the Hassle by Using a Password Manager
While the WordPress password reset process is quite simple, repeatedly resetting your passwords can still be frustrating. Using a password manager such as <a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow">TeamPassword</a> can help eliminate this hassle. TeamPassword is the fastest, easiest, and most secure way to store all your passwords in one place. Along with your WordPress password, save all of your most-used passwords for easy access at any time.
Sharing passwords amongst your team? TeamPassword allows you and your team to share login details and passwords across the entire team with ease. No longer will anyone on your team wonder, "What's the new password for 'X'?" or ask, "Who has the password for 'Y'?"
Create, Store, and Share Logins in One Place
Tired of resetting your passwords? We know it's hard to remember so many logins across many websites. It's even more frustrating to go through the process of resetting your passwords every time you've forgotten! Instead, use <a href="https://teampassword.com/">TeamPassword</a> to create, store, and share logins with your team.
Have questions about using TeamPassword? <a href="https://teampassword.com/support" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Contact us</a> via email or chat. We're happy to assist.

Can't remember your WordPress password? Don't fret! Use this easy step-by-step guide to reset your WordPress password.

Have you tried to log in to WordPress only to find you can't remember your password? Don't fret. ...

How to Reset a WordPress Password

Have you tried to log in to WordPress only to find you can't remember your password? Don't fret. It's easy to reset! Follow along below for an easy step-by-step guide to reset your WordPress password.

Managing freelancers and contractors can be challenging, especially when multiple freelancers work on different projects across several time zones.
When hiring and managing temporary staff, employers must consider several factors like freelancers and contractors, including productivity, security, project management, payments, hiring, and more.
This article will look at the 9 best tools for managing contractors and freelancers in 2021.&nbsp;
Whether you work with full-time employees, freelancers, contractors, clients, or a mix of all four, you need a password management solution for teams to store and share credentials securely.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day TeamPassword trial</a> to explore the best password manager for small businesses and startups managing remote teams.&nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>Contractor vs. Freelancer</h2>
For the context of this article, we'll use contractor and freelancer interchangeably because they're both external, temporary team members. But, there is a difference:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Freelancer: a self-employed worker hired to complete a specific task or project.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Contractor: a temporary worker (usually a specialist) hired to complete a project or fulfill an internal role for a contracted period.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>9 Best Tools for Managing Freelancers</h2>
At TeamPassword, we work with a mix of full-time employees, freelancers, and contractors. From experience, these are our top 9 tools for managing freelancers.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>1 - Project Management - Notion</h3>
Many organizations use Asana and Monday.com for project management, but Notion is cheaper, easier to navigate, and includes some unique project management features.
Notion is cloud-based and works in the browser, but team members can download the desktop and mobile applications for a better user experience.
One of Notion's best features is the ability to create Wikis and Roadmaps, so you spend less time onboarding and explaining the project scope. Wikis are fantastic for outlining brand requirements, documentation, client expectations, introducing team members, company policies, and more. You can also embed videos if you need to add an explainer or demo for freelancers.
Navigating Notion is similar to a website, so it's easier to find the tasks and information&mdash;way more accessible than Asana and Monday. There are also a ton of project templates, so you can save time by copying the layouts and functionality you need for each campaign.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>2 - Hiring &amp; Payments - Upwork</h3>
Upwork is arguably the most popular freelancer and contractor marketplace in the world. The platform facilitates escrow payments with conflict resolution to avoid the payment risks of hiring freelancers and contractors.
Before hiring a freelancer, you can view their past work and reviews from clients to see their performance. Freelancers can also include their education, work history, and links to notable projects so you can get a clear understanding of the person you're hiring and their ability.
You can set up hourly or fixed-price contracts in Upwork, depending on your agreement and project. When freelancers log hourly time, you have five days to review their time log and ensure they completed their billed tasks.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>3 - Password Security - TeamPassword</h3>
With <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/five-most-common-password-attacks">password attacks</a> on the rise, credential security is no longer an option for small businesses; it's essential!&nbsp;
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/should-i-share-data-with-freelancers">Sharing passwords with freelancers</a> and contractors opens your business to security vulnerabilities. Unsecure methods to share passwords like email, notepads, chat, or spreadsheets make it easy for people to share or expose credentials&mdash;whether it's intended or by mistake.
A <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> lets you store all your company credentials in one place, so you have complete control over who has access. TeamPassword is an affordable password management solution designed for small businesses, agencies, and startups.
Instead of sharing raw passwords, you provide each team member (employees, freelancers, and clients) with a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> profile and share access to accounts through groups. Staff can also use TeamPassword for their private company passwords like tools, email, chat, and more.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>4 - Creative Assets - Envato Elements</h3>
Creative assets are essential for projects and campaigns. Envato Elements has a vast library of stock video, music &amp; images, CMS themes, fonts, graphics, sound effects, and more&mdash;perfect for creative teams, social media teams, and content managers/creators.
For a one-off fee ($33 per month or $198 per year in Nov 2021), you can download as many of these assets as you like&mdash;saving you thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours creating them yourself.&nbsp;
Envato Elements has a team plan, but we recommend purchasing a single subscription and using your <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> to share the credentials with employees and freelancers rather than paying for multiple users.
Your Envato Elements subscription also gives you access to Twenty20, where you can find crowd-sourced stock images for your content creation.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>5 - Writing Aid - Grammarly Business</h3>
If you're hiring freelance writers, you need to ensure that your content is always on-brand and error-free. Grammarly is an AI-powered writing tool that fixes common mistakes and offers suggestions to improve sentence structure and messaging.
With Grammarly Business, you can set up banding rules and tones, so writers always stick to the correct message and narrative. You can also create "snippets" of regularly used paragraphs, phrases, and sentences&mdash;perfect for listing product features or other repetitive content.
Create a dedicated Grammarly Business account(s) for your freelancers and contractors, and share access through <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword's password manager</a>.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>6 - Web &amp; App Design - UXPin</h3>
UXPin is an advanced code-based design tool optimized for remote collaboration. UXPin is great because it combines several user experience design and prototyping tools in one!
You can use popular built-in design libraries (Material, Bootstrap, iOS, and more) or create your own design system to maintain consistency&mdash;crucial for projects with freelancers and contractors! You can also add comments and assign design tasks to employees and freelancers within UXPin.
With UXPin, designers can build high-fidelity prototypes with states, conditional formatting, variables, data capture and validation, and Javascript functions&mdash;fidelity and functionality you cannot achieve with vector-based design tools.
You can also use UXPin's proprietary Merge technology to sync the design editor with a repository so designers can design user interfaces using the same code components you use in your final product.
If you're an agency building websites and apps for clients, UXPin can save you a lot of time and money. Designers can build fully functioning prototypes to present to clients before starting the expensive and time-consuming development process.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>7 - Documents &amp; Storage - Google Workspace</h3>
Google Workspace is fantastic for freelancers and contractors because you can share files and documents securely (and for free!). Teams can also use Google Meet as a Zoom alternative, saving you money on video conferencing software.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Google Workspace tools to help your employee and <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/freelancer-workflow-with-shared-tools">freelancer workflows</a>:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sheets (spreadsheets)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Docs (word processor)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Slides (Powerpoint alternative)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Forms (web forms &amp; surveys)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Drive (file storage)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tasks</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Keep (note-taking and sharing)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Chat (messenger app)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Calendar</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Currents (project management)</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>8 - Time Tracking - Hubstaff</h3>
Hubstaff is a time tracker and productivity manager designed for remote teams, freelancers, and contractors. If you're hiring freelancers on an hourly contract, they can clock in and out using Hubstaff's browser extensions or mobile applications.
Hubstaff integrates with popular <a href="https://buyersguide.org/accounting-software-reviews/t/best" title="https://buyersguide.org/accounting-software-reviews/t/best" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">accounting software </a>and payment gateways, so you track costs and bill clients accordingly. You can also integrate with productivity <a href="https://hey.space/blog/trello-like-apps-to-consider" title="HeySpace Trello Like Apps to Consider" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">apps like Trello</a>, Wrike, Asana, Slack, HeySpace, and Monday to assign tasks and track progress.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>9 - Communication &amp; Collaboration - Slack</h3>
Slack is arguably the most popular business messaging app for remote teams and freelancers. You can create channels for group chats or message team members directly for one-on-one collaboration.
Slack is a fantastic alternative to email for freelancers and remote workers because it keeps communication and shared files all in one place. Feedback is also significantly quicker, and you can tag team members when discussing topics inside a group with multiple people.
Slack has over 2,400 native integrations, allowing you to sync communication and workflows with your other favorite apps&mdash;including those we mention in this article.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
Hopefully, you'll find these tools for managing freelancers and contractors as helpful as we do here at TeamPassword.
Security must be a priority when sharing tools with external teams like freelancers, contractors, and clients. A <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> can mitigate password risks while optimizing workflows because teams don't have to find or request credentials to log in to apps, platforms, and tools.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> is an affordable password management solution with a minimalist user interface for easy navigation and minimal onboarding.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here's how easy it is to share passwords with freelancers and contractors:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Add a freelancer to your TeamPassword account using their full name and email address. Always use their full name so you can track activity in TeamPassword's activity log.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The freelancer follows the email link they receive to create a master password and sign in to TeamPassword.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Create a separate group for each freelancer to share the necessary tools and accounts. When they have completed their tasks, revoke access with a single click!</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Workers use TeamPassword's browser extensions (Safari, Chrome, Firefox) or mobile app (iOS, Android) to log into your company's digital assets.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Ready to secure your company's digital assets and improve your cybersecurity with TeamPassword? <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> to test our password manager with your coworkers today!

This article will look at the nine best tools for easy management of contractors and freelancers for your saas business in 2021.

Managing freelancers and contractors can be challenging. This article will look at the nine best tools for managing ...

9 Best Tools for Managing Freelancers

Managing freelancers and contractors can be challenging. This article will look at the nine best tools for managing contractors and freelancers in 2021.

Modern startups rely on many tools and applications for daily operations. According to the software giant Pegasystems, their clients' employees "switch between 35 job-critical applications more than 1,100 times every day."
With this in mind, startups must find tools that boost productivity with integration functionality to minimize switching and authentication.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
This article will explore the 25 best tools for startups and small businesses. We've divided these tools into five categories:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Security</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Project management</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Marketing</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sales</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Accounting</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
TeamPassword is the password manager that secures all your startup's tools. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> and secure your startup's digital assets with TeamPassword.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>Security</h2>
Security tools are essential for keeping your startup, team, and customers safe. Here are our picks for the best security tools for startups.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>TeamPassword</h3>
TeamPassword is the <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/blog/best-password-manager-for-startups">best password manager for startups</a> and small businesses. Startups can store and share company credentials using TeamPassword's encrypted password manager, mitigating password vulnerabilities and cyberattacks.
TeamPassword also features a built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a>, so your team never reuses credentials or creates weak passwords.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword offers a 14-day trial</a> to explore the password manager and try sharing credentials with coworkers.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>OpenVPN</h3>
Since 2020, just about every company in the world has used remote workers. Maintaining security in these remote environments is challenging.
OpenVPN creates a secure cloud-based work environment that team members can only access through whitelisted IP addresses and a VPN. Startups can store SaaS apps, internal communications, IoT systems, and more to create secure remote work environments.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Cloudflare</h3>
Cloudflare is one of the world's most popular CDN services. Startups use Cloudflare to optimize speed and security for websites, web apps, and APIs.&nbsp;
Cloudflare also comes with advanced threat monitoring and performance reporting for startups to manage their digital assets in one place.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>BitDefender GravityZone Business Security</h3>
For less than $300 per year, startups can get enterprise security features at a fraction of the cost. BitDefender GravityZone Business Security gives comprehensive cybersecurity protection with access to risk management and vulnerability assessment&mdash;perfect for running <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-a-security-audit-and-does-my-business-need-one">security audits</a> on your startup.
The latest features include Ransomware Prevention &amp; Mitigation and Network Attack Defense, both critical for today's volatile cybersecurity landscape. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>SysCloud</h3>
SysCloud is an advanced backup and security software for Google G Suite and Office 365 users. SysCloud helps startups protect against insider threats, shadow IT, phishing, and flags violations and vulnerabilities.
Syscloud is HIPAA, PCI, FERPA, and CIPA compliant to ensure your startup follows all US data privacy and security requirements. You get enterprise-grade backup and security at startup prices for less than $50 per user per year!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>Project Management</h2>
There are so many productivity and project management tools. It's tough to know which ones are right for startups! Here are our best project management tools for startups in 2021.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Asana</h3>
Asana is arguably the most popular startup project management tool. Its modern, intuitive design makes onboarding effortless, and Asana has tons of add ons to scale as your startup grows.
One of Asana's strongest features is the sheer number of integrations that allow you to expand the tool's functionality and capability.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Slack</h3>
One of Asana's integrations is the popular startup messaging app Slack. Slack is more than just a messaging app. It allows startups to manage communications for every aspect of their business with integrations to boost efficiency and productivity.
&nbsp;
<h3>ProofHub</h3>
<a href="https://www.proofhub.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ProofHub</a> is a great tool for small to medium-sized startups that need to manage visual projects. It has all of the features you need from a project management app including calendars, scheduling, and task management. ProofHub's internal communication tool and file review functionality help streamline workflow and set it apart from its competition.&nbsp;
ProofHub is easy to learn and easy to use, making it an ideal project management tool for startups that will be using one for the first time.
&nbsp;
<h3>JIRA</h3>
JIRA is a project management and bug tracking tool aimed at UX and engineering teams. JIRA's unique technical features include sprint management, code deployment, and reporting tailored to a software team's requirements.
JIRA is part of the Atlassian suite, so it makes the most sense for startups using other Atlassian products.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Monday</h3>
Monday is an affordable, intuitive project management tool designed to scale as your startup grows. Team members can adjust the user interface to get a high-level view of a project or zoom right into individual tasks with notes and attachments.
Monday also comes with loads of proprietary functionality and automation that most other project management tools only get through integrations.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
TeamPassword is the password manager that secures all your startup's tools. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> and secure your startup's digital assets with TeamPassword.
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Marketing</h2>
Without marketing, no one will know your startup exists. We've put together our five favorite marketing tools for startups to create a buzz and build a tribe of loyal customers.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>GetResponse</h3>
GetResponse is an all-in-one email, sales, and marketing tool at affordable monthly premiums. In September 2021, GetResponse launched their "Free-Forever Plan," designed to help startups with less than 500 subscribers grow and scale their business.
Notable features include email marketing, sales funnel automation, landing pages, payment integrations, website builder, multiple custom domains, and webinars, to name a few!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Google Analytics</h3>
Since its launch in 2005, Google Analytics has been every marketer's favorite user insight and product analytics tool. Google Analytics works with web and mobile applications and integrates with many other sales and marketing tools.
Using accurate data, startups can assess user behavior to gauge product and marketing performance. The best part for startups, this powerful analytics tool is free!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Later</h3>
With its modern user interface, intuitive dashboard, and low month subscriptions, Later is a startup favorite for social media management and automation.&nbsp;
Later allows social media managers to monitor hashtag performance and generate account reports to gauge the success of each post and campaign.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>BuzzSumo</h3>
BuzzSumo is a powerful research tool to identify the best-performing content, backlinks, and social shares. Content managers can research their startup's niche, improve on the best content, and then reach out to people who have shared similar articles.
BuzzSumo is also great for identifying influencers in your niche so that you can reach out for collaborations.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Gleam</h3>
<a href="https://gleam.io/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Gleam</a> is a competition and rewards application that enables startups to create viral marketing campaigns to accelerate growth and build email lists.&nbsp;
Gleam's gamified user experience encourages participants to complete every task, thus providing startups with valuable customer insights.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>Sales</h2>
Whether you're selling products or services, sales tools can help increase revenue while automating a lot of mundane tasks. Here are our five best sales tools for startups.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Clickfunnels</h3>
ClickFunnels is arguably the world's biggest sales funnel software company. The company also does a fantastic job at providing training and resources, so customers get the most out of their products and services.
ClickFunnels comes ready with tons of landing page templates, so, with a few adjustments, you can start selling in minutes. The platform also integrates with many other sales, marketing, payment, and productivity tools.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Growbots</h3>
No one loves cold outreach, but it's a necessary strategy in today's competitive startup landscape. Growbots lets you target and automate your cold outreach campaigns to save you valuable time and resources.
Growbots will help build databases of your ideal prospects and personalize cold outreach to give automation a human touch.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>LinkedIn Sales Navigator</h3>
LinkedIn Sales Navigator is one of the most widely used business networking and sales tools. Startups can connect with investors and potential customers through one platform.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Klenty</h3>
Klenty is a cold outreach platform that automates your sales emails, follow-ups, and relationship building. Klenty also integrates with popular CRMs like Pipedrive, Hubspot, Zoho, and Salesforce to offer a comprehensive sales outreach package.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Yesware</h3>
Yesware is a powerful sales outreach tool that integrates with Outlook or Gmail, so emails always send from your outbox and not a third-party provider! This is important because many bulk outreach emails end up in a promotions tab or, worse, spam!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>Accounting &amp; Finance</h2>
These are our top accounting and finance tools for startups in 2021.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Gusto</h3>
Gusto is one of the leading tools for payroll, benefits, and HR automation. The software helps with year-end taxes and keeps your business ACA compliant.
Startups can also use Gusto to send offer letters, e-sign, and store new-hire paperwork and all the other mundane HR tasks founders hate!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Xero</h3>
Xero is one of the leading accounting tools for small businesses and startups. The intuitive cloud-based accounting software allows you to manage inventory, payroll, and financial records with tax compliance and preparation for multiple countries.
Xero also features many apps and integrations for a comprehensive financial management tool.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Zoho Invoice</h3>
If your startup uses other products from the Zoho Suite, then Zoho Invoice will be the obvious choice for your company's accounting software.&nbsp;
Zoho Invoice includes time-tracking to automate and simplify your startup's payroll.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>FreshBooks</h3>
FreshBooks is another popular cloud-based accounting software for small businesses and startups. The software lets you send invoices, manage expenses, track time, and accept payments.
FreshBooks is affordable accounting software designed to scale as your startup grows.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Gust</h3>
Gust helps startups with funding for "mission-critical" business tools&mdash;like the ones featured in this article. In addition, Gust provides guidance and support for your startup's next steps to help you scale your business effectively.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2>Securing Your Startups Tools With TeamPassword</h2>
All of these startup tools require usernames and passwords. And sometimes, your team needs to share a single set of credentials.&nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Keep all of your startup's passwords secure and easily share credentials with TeamPassword. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day trial</a> and secure your digital assets with the best password manager for startups.

This article explores the 25 best tools for startups and small businesses.

This article explores the 25 best tools for startups and small businesses. | TeamPassword Blog

25 best startup tools you need

Explore what a password manager is, why they are so important for startups, and which password manager is best for your team.

Explore what a password manager is, why they are so important for startups, and which password manager is ...

Best Password Manager for Startups

We know you rely on us to keep your passwords safe and make them available when you need them. Last month I told you about how we&rsquo;re growing both the customer support and software development teams. This has enabled us to start building and implementing new features and services on TeamPassword.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
We are improving TeamPassword
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s dive into what we&rsquo;re doing and how we&rsquo;re improving TeamPassword:
We recently completed a major Stripe integration which improved the functionality of the application and speed of transactions. The new Stripe API helps us serve you better with fewer headaches from erroneous billing issues and fewer interruptions of service.&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ve improved logging and uptime monitoring. This helps us capture more errors on the application and will ensure we know what areas of the application need extra attention as we build out our development team in the coming months.&nbsp;
We added a robust fraud and account take-over detection tool. Castle.io correlates a user&rsquo;s devices and locations to spot suspicious behavior and will automatically suspend an account if it is believed to be compromised. These security measures might be overkill on some applications, but we think they are critical due to the sensitive information you keep in TeamPassword.&nbsp;
We will be building and testing a new &ldquo;Agency Plan'' which will include more flexible seats for freelancers or temporary employees. Our goal is to make sure everyone on your team has access to the passwords they need to complete the job. We think onboarding a Freelancer should be as easy as setting them up on TeamPassword. It will also make billing easier because fluctuations in the number of freelancers on your team won&rsquo;t affect your total plan size.&nbsp;
We&rsquo;re busy improving TeamPassword to make it the best possible experience for you and your team. We think this is important, because it means you and your team can focus on the work that matters to make your company better.

We are improving TeamPassword with better Stripe integration, logging and monitoring, security, and a new plan to meet the unique demands of

We are improving TeamPassword with better Stripe integration, logging and monitoring, security, and a new plan to meet ...

We are improving TeamPassword

We are improving TeamPassword with better Stripe integration, logging and monitoring, security, and a new plan to meet the unique demands of agencies.

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

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

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

Top 5 Dangerous Ways to Store Your Passwords

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

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