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.

<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/jVAbFAvKRzOC2GnXLYvD"/> Marco Sylvestre is the Chief Technical Officer for Venzee. With their #NoMoreSpreadsheets campaign, Venzee is dedicated to replacing the current practice of manufacturers using spreadsheets to share product information with retailers. With 90% of manufacturers around the world doing exactly that, it's the #1 problem for the trillion dollar e-commerce industry. Marco started selling computer parts on the side while still in high school and dealt with the spreadsheets suppliers used to send product information and inventory updates. His career in tech began as a software developer in 2000 and he later became a certified scrum master, something that has proven invaluable as a CTO managing a distributed developer and QA team. Similarly, Venzee's CEO, Kate had built and sold two e-commerce startups and like Marco, had experienced the pain of turning spreadsheets into updates compatible with the solutions her company was using. Together with Xin, a big data and connectivity specialist (and Venzee's Chief Architect), they founded and built Venzee. The Venzee team is distributed, a practice made popular by companies like Buffer, Zappo's and Invision, and have team members in 12 countries and 14 time zones. Not to mention customers in more than 30 countries. <h4>Daily Workflow</h4> Marco's daily routine is a reflection of his duties as CTO: all over the place. His main task is to be the link between the business and the product. Setting up systems for support and development, he oversees a lot of the processes throughout the company. He makes sure the rules that have been set in place for the engineers and dev team are being followed to best practice. Also, in keeping up with the technical side of things, Marco uses his past experience as a QA manager to test with the team. One role Marco thoroughly enjoys is customer support. He loves learning about Venzee's customers, helping to solve their issues, and figuring out how they use the product. Marco, Kate, and Xin all have their hands in the Human Resources process and share various other administrative responsibilities.<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/wsFC9lQTcmbFrDrXF5Gz"/> <h4>Venzee + TeamPassword</h4> "TeamPassword is the word I repeat most during my day," Marco tells us, "it's, my Bible." The Google Extension is his right hand. As an everyday tool for him, he feels good about managing security as well as generating new passwords all the time. Since he also manages personal passwords within TeamPassword, Marco likes the having the segregation between personal and business within the same account. Marco found TeamPassword on a quest for an easy and effective solution to password management and security. He was familiar with LastPass and liked their product but was not a fan of the hefty price tag. He knew one thing for sure: he did not want to use an Excel spreadsheet. After a few more searches, he found TeamPassword and it didn't take long before he fell in love with the use of groups within the product. To be able to be granular and specific with who has access to what is an alluring feature for him. TeamPassword is the solution, he says "if you have more than 5 passwords and 2 people on your team." <h4>Marco's TeamPassword Wishlist</h4> Marco's wish list includes more focus on 2-step authentication and more liberty in choosing who has admin access to groups, and who has access to change passwords within the accounts. He would like to add accounts to groups rather than the other way around, a process that we here at TeamPassword definitely have on our radar. If Marco's positive attitude and infectious passion have you ready to jump on your free TeamPassword trial click <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup">here</a>.

Marco Sylvestre is the Chief Technical Officer for Venzee. With their #NoMoreSpreadsheets campai gn, Venzee is dedicated to replacing the cu

Marco Sylvestre is the Chief Technical Officer for Venzee. With their #NoMoreSpreadsheets campai gn, Venzee is dedicated to ...

Customer Spotlight - Marco Sylvestre, Venzee

Marco Sylvestre is the Chief Technical Officer for Venzee. With their #NoMoreSpreadsheets campai gn, Venzee is dedicated to replacing the current practice of manufacturers using spreadsheets to share product information with retailers. With 90% of manufacturers around the world doing exactly that, it's the #1 problem for the trillion dollar ...

&nbsp; You may have observed a few changes at TeamPassword. If you have, good! That means our work hasn't gone unnoticed. The team has spent the past few months creating a brand identity that we feel aligns with both our own identity and how we view our relationship with you, our customers.
<h2>Why the change?</h2>
 It took us a few years to really get to know our customers and understand how they perceive us. Once we understood the types of people and companies we were working with, we were better able steer into our true identity. We have a lot to offer. Who we are and what we do is directly reflected in the ease and convenience we allow our clients to feel when working on projects, or developing their products. We needed a brand that embodied the ideals we (and you) work so hard to achieve.
<h2>So? How'd it go?</h2>
 Ocupop is a kickass creative agency that specializes in branding and we owe a lot of credit to them. They had a good understanding of our needs and the insight and knowledge we needed to get productive feedback. Our team vibed with their team from the very beginning and throughout the entire process. The evolution of identity does not happen without challenges, of course. We relied on our entrepreneurial experience, research, and (most importantly) our gut instinct to help guide us through the process. And Ocupop's focused vision helped us to see the progress with fresh objectivity.
<h2><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/i9RWLBy9T1ueo4o7l64P" /></h2>

<h2>Then it clicked.</h2>
 At first sight, the new logo was perfect. It felt dynamic. It really emulated the feeling we get from our company. We knew that if this is how it made us feel, it could only make our customers feel just as good. 
<h2>What do we stand for?</h2>
 Over time, we've realized that most of our client base aren't folks who don't know anything about password management, but rather folks who do. These people know what they want in a password manager and are looking for the best fit for their needs. We feel our re-brand reflects exactly what our clients want: a way to unlock their team's productivity. Rest assured we're still the same great product with the same great team. We hope you appreciate the new brand and feel the same way about it that we do. Keep your eye out for a number of great changes coming in the future! If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to drop us a line. We would love to chat with you!

You may have observed a few changes at TeamPassword. If you have, good! That means our work hasn't gone unnoticed. The team has spent the pa

You may have observed a few changes at TeamPassword. If you have, good! That means our work hasn't ...

Revealing Our New Brand

You may have observed a few changes at TeamPassword. If you have, good! That means our work hasn't gone unnoticed. The team has spent the past few months creating a brand identity that we feel aligns with both our own identity and how we view our relationship with you, our ...

With our passion for tech and high growth companies, we hope that you see us as more than "that password management company that saves the words and numbers you can't remember." That's why we dedicate time each week to write about the many different aspects of working at a tech company. Below are some of our favorite articles you might have missed over the past weeks and month. 

 
<hr />
 
<h2><a href="https://medium.com/@BrianS/survey-says-stop-being-boring-cb792d20b0b6#.4qvg5ulsq" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Survey Says: Stop Being Boring</a></h2>
 <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/zfg7GttdQZmjUe8ucLPU" /> Source: <a href="https://medium.com/@BrianS/survey-says-stop-being-boring-cb792d20b0b6#.c8ccdbqir" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Medium</a> Surveys are a very helpful tool in learning how people view your product. But OH. My. GOD. are they boring. Here are three ways to upgrade your surveys, and get the real feedback you need. 
<hr />
 
<h2><a href="http://blog.hubspot.com/sales/how-to-pitch-without-being-too-salesy" rel="noopener" target="_blank">How to Pitch Without Being Too Salesy</a></h2>
 <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/FmAFVr7kTOGuJecEtLXw" /> Source: <a href="http://blog.hubspot.com/sales/how-to-pitch-without-being-too-salesy" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hubspot</a> How are the most successful salespeople effective? They're not salesy at all! The art of the honest, organic sale can be a tough one to master but we've tapped into that magic and listed the best way to sell your product to potential clients. 
<hr />
 
<h2><a href="https://medium.com/@BrianS/6-ways-to-start-writing-even-if-you-re-a-noob-246c491c85d7#.q8td81rda" rel="noopener" target="_blank">6 Ways to Start Writing (Even if You're a Noob)</a></h2>
 <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/2kp0fIOKTDegWUv3gobW" /> Source: <a href="https://medium.com/@BrianS/6-ways-to-start-writing-even-if-you-re-a-noob-246c491c85d7#.ynmn9jw2h" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Medium</a> You could have every intention of sitting down and writing all about the most interesting topic in the world, but actually forming words into sentences into paragraphs into legitimate articles is hard! 
<hr />
 
<h2><a href="http://www.startup-soiree.com/blog/2016/3/9/jeh8sdhpvqj1jb4o35g1e1v4pn0kfx" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Analysis of Popular Startup Tools</a></h2>
 <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/WL47uRGrTRik9QEJn8IA" /> Source: <a href="http://www.startup-soiree.com/blog/2016/3/9/jeh8sdhpvqj1jb4o35g1e1v4pn0kfx" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Startup Soiree</a> Just like no man is an island, no startup can run on its own. We all rely on the tools of the internet to not only get us started but keep us up and running. StartUp Soiree gave us the opportunity to discuss the tools we use most and love best. 
<hr />
 
<h2><a href="https://medium.com/@BrianS/if-you-re-not-exercising-pay-yourself-2c1f271ad58c#.mvi3k6btz" rel="noopener" target="_blank">If You're Not Exercising, Pay Yourself</a></h2>
 <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/2Ah980LRZehUGwgfiC1s" /> Source: <a href="https://medium.com/@BrianS/if-you-re-not-exercising-pay-yourself-2c1f271ad58c#.817kemvmp" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Medium</a> We're all busy. It's hard to fit in the things we want to do, let alone the things we don't want to do *cough cough exercise.* I found that if I "pay" myself to exercise, I'm much more likely to do it. I'm not talking about putting a dollar in a jar every time I run past the cookie jar, but rather fitting it into my day as a whole - making it a priority as much as I would an important meeting with a client. 
<hr />
 
<h2><a href="https://medium.com/@BrianS/4-pieces-of-advice-you-re-not-getting-when-starting-a-company-6f50eb9a50ed#.cjqnrd8bi" rel="noopener" target="_blank">4 Pieces of Advice You're Not Getting When Starting a Company</a></h2>
 <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/7KpcOC8BSmKr4IzjBtal" /> Source: <a href="https://medium.com/@BrianS/4-pieces-of-advice-you-re-not-getting-when-starting-a-company-6f50eb9a50ed#.e1aado4s6" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Medium</a> I can tell you from experience that when you start a company, you get a dump truck load of advice. Some of it is helpful, some not so much. I wanted to pass on my bevy of startup knowledge and share the four pieces of advice most people don't get when they set up shop. 
<hr />
 
<h2><a href="https://medium.com/shaping-work/negative-feedback-how-to-look-good-after-looking-bad-4875efcbe93#.66xrl8l3h" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Negative Feedback; How to Look Good After Looking Bad</a></h2>
 <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/Vh4VYyThQUWvWGsbvGyf" /> Source: <a href="https://medium.com/shaping-work/negative-feedback-how-to-look-good-after-looking-bad-4875efcbe93#.w8pctf7lm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Medium</a> Negative feedback, much like bad hair days and live musicals on NBC, are bound to happen. Everybody experiences this at some point in their career, but not everyone knows how to properly handle the situation. Consider your chops unbusted after reading about our smart ways to bounce back after negative feedback. 
<hr />
 
<h2><a href="https://medium.com/@BrianS/slack-actually-does-have-sales-people-d67bcfbf7527#.rq7vozxr3" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Slack Actually Does Have Salespeople</a></h2>
 <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/6RVxeClnTr6uEgC2tDDS" /> Source: <a href="https://medium.com/@BrianS/slack-actually-does-have-sales-people-d67bcfbf7527#.rq7vozxr3" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Medium</a> The way we feel about Slack could best be described with the heart eye emoji. We absolutely love Slack and use it every single day. So when I read an article (a PUBLISHED article) that stated Slack doesn't have salespeople, I lost it. Not only do they have a sales team, but read all about how they're rockin' it.

Here are some of our favorite articles you might have missed over the past weeks and month.

With our passion for tech and high growth companies, we hope that you see us as more than ...

8 Posts that have nothing to do with Password Management

With our passion for tech and high growth companies, we hope that you see us as more than "that password management company that saves the words and numbers you can't remember." Below are some of our favorite articles you might have missed over the past weeks and month.

Show of hands, who remembers when Amazon had an outage in <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/cloud/infrastructure-as-a-service/amazon-disruption-produces-cloud-outage-spiral/d/d-id/1322279">September of 2015</a>? How badly did it affect you? Were you upset that Netflix also went down, leaving you totally cut off from the digital world? <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/jphvrZjzQI26kFCYyf8a"/> Since TeamPassword was also affected, our friends and clients all over the web had issues gaining access to their passwords. Since they didn't have their passwords they were unable to get their work done, and even worse not able to get into the systems they needed to help them recover when an event like this happens. This internet hiccup inspired us. In an effort to never let something like this happen again, we created our very own Failover Zone. Our Failover Zone is set up so that even if Amazon goes down for the entire US, you will still have read-only access to your passwords. We want to hold ourselves accountable, and make sure you're never without access to the accounts you need to do your job, and, recover from disasters. Here are a few quick answers to frequently asked questions: What, exactly, is a Failover Zone? Our servers are hosted by Amazon in the US. This is generally fine, Amazon goes through extraordinary measures to make sure their servers are always up and running--and successfully so! Amazon powers a large percentage of internet traffic. However, technology being what it is, sometimes the worst happens, and an entire data center goes down, taking our service with it. For this reason, we set up our Failover Zone, which is a copy of our servers and database setup on an entirely different continent. And let me tell you: these servers are vigilant! They're constantly updating their data based off of our main servers, so should the cord somehow get cut, our failover zone will be up to date with your latest changes without someone at TeamPassword needing to restore a backup. Why is this important? Well, you need access to your stuff, don't you? I *do* need access to my stuff. Good call! Where can I find the Failover Zone? Our read-only Failover Zone will always be <a href="https://failover.teampassword.com/">available here</a>. Phew, that makes me feel better. Anything else I should know? We've also put up our new <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/status">status page</a>! If the service is unreachable for any reason we'll update the status page on when to use the failover service. We'll provide status updates so you'll always be in the loop. Rest assured that we're working diligently to ensure that we're the top password vault available and that secure password management systems are in place to keep your information safe. Still have questions about Failover Zones and how they work? Want to build this into your disaster recovery process? Shoot us a line in the comments section or hit us up on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/teampassword">@TeamPassword</a>

Show of hands, who remembers when Amazon had an outage in September of 2015 ? How badly did it affect you? Were you upset that Netflix also

Show of hands, who remembers when Amazon had an outage in September of 2015 ? How badly did ...

Product Update: Failover Zones

Show of hands, who remembers when Amazon had an outage in September of 2015 ? How badly did it affect you? Were you upset that Netflix also went down, leaving you totally cut off from the digital world? Since TeamPassword was also affected, our friends and clients all over the ...

<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/cBz9w4TsQ1eHzE8ace74" />
Chris Mechanic is co-founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.webmechanix.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">WebMechanix</a>, a digital marketing firm in Baltimore. Specializing in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising, and Marketing Automation, Chris Mechanic has learned a thing or two about good productivity. How did you manage your passwords before TeamPassword? It was somewhat ugly and somewhat insecure. We managed passwords largely via spreadsheets that lived in Google Drive. It was a pretty substantial struggle to make sure everything was in there, and then there was also the security risk and difficulty granting permissions. We basically had two different spreadsheets: one for mission-critical stuff that only executives had access to (e.g. FTP/hosting/CRM/CMS) and one for non-mission critical stuff that pretty much everyone had access to. We had like thirty clients at that time, so having a different spreadsheet for each client was cumbersome. How do you structure your TeamPassword account? We structure it in a similar way, largely--we've got a group in TeamPassword called "Sensitive Stuff." That's where we keep FTP creds, hosting information, and other sensitive stuff. We have one group called "Client Tools" for tools that we use across many clients, like MOZ. Then we also have a group for "Client-Specific Tools." Then another CRM group, which is more sensitive, so fewer people have access to it. We have a few other groups that are broken out by categories and functions and we're careful about the titles we use for passwords. For instance, a lot of our clients use Salesforce so we learned quickly to assign each client a 3-5 character code (for example, Pepsi would be PEP) and now we can easily see which Salesforce password to use. What's your favorite part of using TeamPassword? Well, it's beautiful because you don't need to access a spreadsheet prior to logging in. TeamPassword eliminates those small chunks of time wasted trying to remember a password- and that time can really add up. <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/VXgpCNiRJO7zrc20BxWb" width="454" height="385" />
What do you geek out about most at work? I geek out about everything digital marketing. SEO, PPC, analytics, and conversion. I'm also into "CEO stuff" like management philosophies, operational efficiency, and leadership. What is your best productivity tip? To eliminate distractions by doing things in chunks. I like to work in chunks of time. You should also have a plan before you start working. What advice would you give yourself ten years ago? 10 years ago I would have given myself the advice to invent TeamPassword. Just kidding. I would have given myself the advice to quit my job and start my company earlier.

Chris Mechanic is co-founder and CEO of WebMechanix, a digital marketing firm in Baltimore. Specializing in Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Chris Mechanic is co-founder and CEO of WebMechanix, a digital marketing firm in Baltimore. Specializing in Search Engine ...

From Ugly to Beautiful: WebMechanix's Switch to TeamPassword

Chris Mechanic is co-founder and CEO of WebMechanix, a digital marketing firm in Baltimore. Specializing in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising, and Marketing Automation, Chris Mechanic has learned a thing or two about good productivity. How did you manage your passwords before TeamPassword? It was somewhat ugly and ...

We all have bad habits--letting emails pile up in the inbox, getting fast food for lunch, leaving dishes in the sink. We all do it. The typical bad habit isn't normally a big deal, but when it comes to managing your passwords, getting into a bad pattern can cost you serious time and money. We all know the hassle of forgetting a password and having to reset it, but that's nothing compared what you'll go through if your accounts are compromised because you managed your passwords poorly. We all know the hassle of forgetting a password and having to reset it, but that's nothing compared to what you'll go through if your accounts are compromised because you managed your passwords poorly. It's the age-old story of a company that uses the same password for everything, one unimportant site gets hacked, and the attacker proceeds to log into all of their sites. Luckily, with the right strategies and tools, building good password habits is easy. Read on to learn about bad password management habits and how you can fix them.


<h2>1. Don't use the same password everywhere.</h2>
Also known as, the Password Golden Rule. It's only a matter of time before one of the websites or apps you use gets hacked or has a security lapse. See Dropbox, Adobe, and the Heartbleed bug that affected several websites. Once a hacker gets one of your passwords, it's easy for them to try that password on countless other websites. For example, if you use the same password for Instagram as you do for online banking, a lapse in Instagram's security can result in an empty bank account. Using the same password is one of the riskiest things you can do online; it's asking for trouble.
<h3>Fix it</h3>
Stop using the same password! Stop it right now. Instead, use a password management service (like <a href="https://www.teampassword.com" rel="follow">TeamPassword.com</a>) for randomly generating and storing your passwords so that you can have unique passwords for different services without having to remember all of them.

<h2>2. Don't keep the same password for eternity.</h2>
Passwords, like the oil in your car, should be changed regularly. Many breaches happen over the course of weeks and months before an attacker will act on the data that they've captured. If you update your password, it's tough luck for the hacker. Don't make it easy for hackers and malicious users--just change your password on a regular basis.
<h3>Fix it</h3>
Set up a system that reminds you how old your passwords are. TeamPassword shows the last time you updated the password every time you use the account--shaming you every time you see "Last Updated: 5 years ago."

<h2>3. Don't store passwords in your browser.</h2>
Storing passwords in your browser is quick and easy, but if you lend your computer to a colleague, friend, or family member, they'll have easy access to all of your accounts. We've all seen those "Brian left his Facebook open!" posts made by someone's friend (and that's the polite version.) Imagine the kind of mischief--or trouble--someone could get into with access to, say, your bank account. Plus, if your passwords are stored in your browser, and only in your browser, when you're traveling, or if you're on a different computer for whatever reason, you'll be up a creek without a paddle. For example, you might think you won't need your passwords while you're traveling in Morocco--until you realize you forgot to schedule your car loan payment or you get a text message about suspicious activity on that credit card you hardly use.
<h3>Fix it</h3>
Use a logic management service that requires authentication to get to your passwords so that you can access them everywhere (and so that your friend Jessica can't be a jerk on your Facebook - or bank - account when she borrows your computer.)

<h2>4. Don't share your passwords too liberally.</h2>
We all need to share passwords from time to time, whether you're giving the WiFi password to a guest, or collaborating to update a Twitter account for a business. The problem is sharing too many passwords. Because bad habits often come in pairs or small groups, chances are you may be using that same password on other services, which exposes you to greater risks. Think of passwords like they're the keys to your house. You're not going to give that up to just anybody. Further, it's likely that you're going to forget who you shared your passwords with. It might not seem like a big problem now, but let's be honest, do you really want your crazy ex (or vindictive former employee) having access to any of your online accounts?
<h3>Fix it</h3>
Use a team password manager that helps you share passwords and lets you know who has access. That way, it's easy to add or remove password access as needed. Plus, you'll know quickly which passwords you need to change if you've parted ways with someone.

<h2>5. Don't share passwords via email</h2>
Email is an inherently insecure means of communication. You don't need to be Sony to be a target of an email hack. Never use email to send sensitive information. Plus, who wants to comb through old emails to find a password?
<h3>Fix it</h3>
Use a password storage service with strong security practices to share that sensitive information.

<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
If you have any of these bad habits, you need to stop doing them now, before one of the apps you use gets hacked. Your money, time, and even your identity can be stolen if you have bad password practices. We started TeamPassword to help teams avoid these password bad habits and the losses that come with poor password management. Try it out with our free <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup">14-day trial</a>. Secure your passwords, then work on putting the dishes away.

We all have bad habits--nothing compares to what happens if your accounts are compromised because you managed your passwords poorly.

We all have bad habits--letting emails pile up in the inbox, getting fast food for lunch, leaving dishes ...

5 Bad Password Habits to Break Immediately

We all have bad habits--letting emails pile up in the inbox, getting fast food for lunch, leaving dishes in the sink. We all do it. The typical bad habit isn't normally a big deal, but when it comes to managing your passwords, getting into a bad pattern can cost you serious time and money. We all know the hassle of forgetting a password and having to reset it, but that's nothing compared what you'll go through if your accounts are compromised because you managed your passwords poorly.

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

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