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

A secure password is the lynchpin to keeping your business safe. However, there&rsquo;s often a trade-off between convenience and cybersecurity when storing your passwords. This can lead people to cut corners when storing passwords. Conversely, the most secure password solutions are sometimes undermined when team members share their passwords in an unsecured way.&nbsp;
Here are the best ways to store passwords online and offline.
<h3>Table of Contents</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="#lookfor" rel="follow">What should you look for in a password storage solution?</a></li>
<li><a href="#offline" rel="follow">How to store a password offline</a></li>
<li><a href="#online" rel="follow">How to store a password online</a></li>
</ul>

<h2 id="lookfor">What should you look for in a password storage solution?</h2>
If you ask someone what they are looking for in the ideal password storage solution, then they&rsquo;ll probably give you a security-based answer. That&rsquo;s absolutely important. However, there&rsquo;s a second feature that also needs to be found: convenience.

That&rsquo;s because a difficult-to-use <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-password-vaulting" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password vault</a> can end up being a cybersecurity threat as well.&nbsp;
<h3>Secure password storage</h3>
There&rsquo;s no question that security is the most important feature of a good way to store passwords. TeamPassword, for example, takes security very seriously. <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Its hosting providers have attained SOC 1 and 2, ISO 27001, and many other security designations to keep our customers&rsquo; accounts safe.</a>

Generally speaking, secure password storage at a minimum requires a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/master-password-what-is-it-and-do-i-need-one" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">master password</a> to access the other passwords being stored. Online, this means a password manager. Offline, it&rsquo;s a safe or digital password storage device.
<h3>Convenient password storage</h3>
Nobody wants to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-find-a-lost-password-from-ages-ago" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">forget a password</a> and then lose access to their account. It&rsquo;s one of the most aggravating experiences in the modern business world, even when it doesn&rsquo;t cost you money. This can lead people to reuse passwords, which is a big cybersecurity risk. That&rsquo;s because one website being hacked could lead to all of your accounts being compromised.&nbsp;

That&rsquo;s just the start of the cybersecurity risks that can be caused by an inconvenient way to store passwords. Another is that if your password storage system does not allow a secure way to share passwords with your team, then team members might use unsecure methods, such as Slack messages, SMS, or email.

Then, there are the practical issues that arise from inconvenience. For example, if you use <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-are-icloud-keychains-and-why-are-they-better-than-passwords" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">iCloud Keychains</a> or your browser&rsquo;s built-in password manager, then you end up with partial lists on each device that are not connected. You may have experienced the need to open your laptop to check your Chrome password manager when trying to log into an account on your iPhone.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/ywjzVjZRCyEbbBRq3vG3" alt="undefined">
<h2 id="offline">How to store a password offline</h2>
Many people choose to write their passwords down on paper. They probably know that you shouldn&rsquo;t reuse passwords, but remembering 100 passwords (<a href="https://tech.co/password-managers/how-many-passwords-average-person" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">the average number of accounts used by a person today</a>) is impossible so they write them down. This isn&rsquo;t the worst idea, but there are risks.&nbsp;

Essentially, your passwords become only as safe as that piece of paper. While pen and paper is the obvious method, there are other ways to store passwords offline.

Here are the best and worst ways to store a password offline.
<h3>The worst way to store a password offline</h3>
The absolute worst way to store a password offline is using a sticky note attached to your monitor. It&rsquo;s even worse if you work in an office. Don&rsquo;t do this!&nbsp;

Sometimes called a <a href="https://blog.usecure.io/what-is-a-clean-desk-policy-and-should-my-company-have-it" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">clean desk policy</a>, employees should be trained to remove all business-sensitive information from their desk whenever they leave, including when using the washroom or grabbing a coffee from the kitchen. Removing passwords, notebooks, USB sticks, etc. and returning to the desktop password screen make your business more secure.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>The best ways to store a password offline</h3>
There are two ways to securely store passwords offline. The first, a low-tech solution, is to use a safe. Since passwords written on paper are only as secure as the paper itself, placing these backups in your safe is a practical way of adding security to your offline password storage process.

The second, a high-tech solution, is using an <a href="https://password-managers.bestreviews.net/best-offline-password-storage-devices/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">offline password storage device</a>. These physical devices come in several varieties, some of which interface with your computer and others are completely separate.

One example is a USB stick that has a thumbprint reader. You can store hundreds of passwords on the device, and they will not display on your desktop until you unlock the device using your thumbprint. Another example looks like a label maker or calculator. You unlock the device using a master password and then can view or add new sets of credentials (username and password). These devices cannot interface with any other device or connect to the Internet. That means that, practically, they cannot be hacked.

You&rsquo;ll note that using a safe or offline password storage device is inconvenient. Offline password storage is really about having a backup password list in case you forget a critical password or your online password storage system fails. Ideally, you never have to use them, but they are there in case you lose access to an account.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/SWOA6lsUQzi5vh5rNA9N" alt="undefined">
<h2 id="online">How to store a password online</h2>
When looking to store a password online, you should always look for encryption. <a href="https://cloud.google.com/learn/what-is-encryption" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Encryption</a> is a way to protect data so that, even if it falls into the wrong hands, it cannot be read.

Here are the best and worst ways to store a password online.
<h3>The worst ways to store a password online</h3>
We&rsquo;ve discussed <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/top-5-dangerous-ways-to-store-your-passwords" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">dangerous ways to store a password online</a> previously. The reason all of these methods are bad ways to store a password online is that they are not encrypted. If someone gains access to the document, then they have access to the password as well. Here are two especially bad places to store passwords.&nbsp;
<h4>Don&rsquo;t store passwords in email or instant messages</h4>
If someone can open your messages or emails, then they have access to your passwords. What&rsquo;s worse, email addresses are often how <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/password-manager-with-2fa" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">two-factor authentication</a> confirms your identity or lost passwords are retrieved. That makes email an especially risky place to store passwords.
<h4>Don&rsquo;t store passwords in notes or online documents.</h4>
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-risks-of-storing-your-passwords-in-google-sheets" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Google Sheets</a> is a tempting place to store all of your passwords. It&rsquo;s easy to organize a table of login links, usernames, passwords, the cost of the service, and when you signed up in a sheet. You can share access to the file with people on your team, so it is convenient. It also requires being shared to edit or view the document, which gives it the veneer of security.&nbsp;

However, if someone manages to gain access to your email account, just like storing passwords directly in your email account, there is no encryption. A hacker could immediately see all of your account credentials and exploit them.&nbsp;

Notes, whether on your desktop, laptop, or mobile device, are similarly unsecure. They also make it hard to share credentials with the rest of your team, which encourages employees to share passwords with others using unsafe methods such as Slack, SMS, or email.
<h3>The best way to store a password online</h3>
Password managers are the only way to securely store passwords online. These include the built-in password managers on your mobile phone or browser as well as third-party password managers such as TeamPassword.&nbsp;

What really makes dedicated password managers even more valuable is that they work across all of your devices, so you can find all of your passwords in one place. Furthermore, TeamPassword gives you the ability to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-safely-share-passwords-with-coworkers" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">safely share passwords</a> with coworkers.

Since the Chrome password manager or iCloud Keychain doesn&rsquo;t have a way to share passwords safely, you lose a lot of the total security value. Since coworkers may share passwords using text or email without a better option available, the login information is still exposed.
<h2>TeamPassword is the best way to store a password online</h2>
You should look for convenience and security when choosing the best way to store passwords online. That&rsquo;s because convenient features make it less likely that someone on your team will circumvent the security measures by sharing passwords via email or SMS.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>256-bit AES encryption</li>
<li>Browser extension</li>
<li>Password generator built into the app (<a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">also available for free</a>)</li>
<li>Unlimited groups and sharing</li>
</ul>
TeamPassword makes it safe and easy to store and share passwords online. You can take advantage of our best-in-class security measures to protect all of your login credentials. Individually control which team members have access to which accounts, making secure collaboration possible.
 <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today to see why TeamPassword is the best way to store passwords online.

Here are the best ways to store a password online or offline, to both protect your accounts and make collaboration easy.

Here are the best ways to store a password online or offline, to both protect your accounts and ...

The Best Ways to Store Passwords Online and Offline (2024)

A password generator is a tool that generates a random combination of numbers, letters, and symbols to be used as a password. Password generators let you exclude or include certain characters, allowing you to customize the password complexity to your needs.&nbsp;
Password generators are a fast and convenient way to generate secure passwords. Password managers typically include built-in password generators so you can create a secure password on the fly when signing up for a new account (or updating an old one).&nbsp;
Some password generators allow you to create <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-a-passphrase" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">passphrases</a>, which are passwords that use words instead of fully random characters. Passphrases are easier to remember while still being very secure, assuming they're long enough.&nbsp;
<h2>Why should I Use a Password Generator?</h2>
The most common way for cybercriminals to hack accounts is guessing the password. They use programs that can try hundreds of passwords per second. Simple, common passwords are breached almost instantly.
One part of the solution is to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">use strong passwords</a> to protect your information (you should also enable <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2fa-vs-mfa" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">MFA</a>). Password generators help you create strong passwords with a click and store them in a password manager.&nbsp;
<h3>How do password generators work?</h3>

<h3>What Makes a Great Password Generator?</h3>
A great password generator:
<ul>
<li>Creates secure passwords</li>
<li>Allows you to customize complexity and length</li>
<li>Tells you how secure your passwords are</li>
</ul>
You don't need to pay for a password generator. I recommend our&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">free password generator</a>, which lets you customize complexity and length. With the strength checker, you can test passwords and passphrases to make sure they're secure.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/JE5qj71EQeOBSisESmFu" alt="undefined" width="518" height="365">
Too short and predictable!
<h3>Do you need a password generator to create secure passwords?</h3>
You are not required to use a password generator to create secure passwords. In theory, you could mash the keyboard to get a random mix of letters, numbers, and symbols; chances are accidentally activate a shortcut.
If you need to remember the password, I recommend creating a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-build-a-passphrase#:~:text=How%20to%20Create%20a%20Strong%20Passphrase" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">passphrase that is unique to you</a>. Then, test it using the password generator strength test.&nbsp;
Password generators are typically used in combination with a manager to make creating and storing password convenient and secure.&nbsp;
You should use a password generator if:
<ul>
<li>You are creating passwords for tens or hundreds of accounts</li>
<li>You are using a password manager with a built-in password generator</li>
<li>Security is of paramount concern, and you need 20+ character, complex passwords</li>
</ul>
You might&nbsp;not want to use a password generator if:
<ul>
<li>You are creating a passphrase to commit to memory that is personal to you</li>
</ul>
This can be done by combining things such as a license plate number, your wedding anniversary date, your favorite movie and the author of your favorite book. Mix in a few special characters, and you'll easily have a 30+ character password that will takes centuries to crack with today's technology.
<h3>How to use a password generator</h3>
Using a password generator is easy.&nbsp;
If your password manager has a built-in generator, just click 'generate' and set the parameters to your liking.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/eVkl3C8oQG2fZrQ1RTVd" alt="undefined" width="540" height="540">
With online password managers, copy the generated password and paste it into the account you're creating.&nbsp;
Important:&nbsp;when copy-pasting passwords, clear your clipboard afterward. Instructions for Windows can be found <a href="https://www.windowscentral.com/how-clear-clipboard-data-shortcut-windows-10" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">here</a>. If clipboard history is off, you can copy something else to clear the password from your clipboard. The same applies to Macs.&nbsp;
<h3>Never forget a password with TeamPassword</h3>
Passwords are the first defense mechanism from online criminals trying to access your sensitive data. Always aim at making things difficult for them by using strong, unique passwords.
<a target="_blank" rel="follow noopener" href="https://teampassword.com/features">TeamPassword</a> was designed for businesses who share passwords. It has a built-in password generator - no excuses for using weak passwords! It's one of the easiest password managers to use, while offering industry-standard AES 256-bit vault encryption (see our security page <a target="_blank" rel="follow noopener" href="https://teampassword.com/security">here</a>).&nbsp;
We offer a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="follow noopener" href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup">14-day free trial</a>.&nbsp;

Find out how to keep your passwords long, random, unique, and un-hackable.

The most prevalent way hackers can break through computers is by guessing your password. Use of simple and ...

What is a Password Generator and Should I Use One

The most prevalent way hackers can break through computers is by guessing your password. Use of simple and common passwords creates an opportunity for hackers to get access to your electronic devices. Since no one would wish to have their personal information stolen, use strong passwords to protect your information.

What is a Password Generator?

Criminals use extortion emails to blackmail people. These criminals usually claim to have sensitive information or content that they threaten to forward to friends and family unless you pay.&nbsp;
The email will tell you that the sender has tracking software on your device and will make a vague statement about knowing you've visited porn sites. They also claim to have used your device's camera to capture you pleasuring yourself.
Extortion emails typically contain some personal data, like a password, stolen from a data breach. Even if the password is an old one, it can be shocking to learn that a stranger knows something private. Perhaps, what they are telling you is true!
From corporate data breaches to ransomware attacks and even personal extortion email scams&mdash;cybercriminals continuously find ways to steal data and money.
The <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/t-mobile-data-breach-2021-what-happened" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">2021 T-Mobile data breach</a> affected over 40 million users, less than a quarter of which were actual T-Mobile customers!
The most damaging case in recent memory is the LastPass breach, which&nbsp;<a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2023/09/experts-fear-crooks-are-cracking-keys-stolen-in-lastpass-breach/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">seems to get worse every day</a>. Even if it's not a password manager that gets attacked, most of these breaches lead to attackers stealing customers' personal data.&nbsp;The data stolen from breaches can be used to craft convincing extortion emails.&nbsp;
In this article, we will take a closer look at extortion emails and what you can do if they ever find your inbox!

<h3>What is Sextortion?</h3>
Sextortion is a type of extortion where criminals claim to have explicit content of you&mdash;usually nude, masturbating, or other sexually explicit content.
Sometimes users don't have explicit content, but information linking the victim to adult content like a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-happened-with-the-cam4-data-leak" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">cam site</a> or dating website for married individuals&mdash;as was the case with Ashley Madison.
In the infamous Ashley Madison data breach, criminals only had account information linking the user to the website. This information could potentially ruin the victim's relationships or even bring public shame.
More than five years after the Ashley Madison data breach, criminals still contact users with sextortion demands.
With sextortion, the criminals usually have actual evidence of your actions&mdash;which they're happy to share with you via a short clip or screenshot.&nbsp;
Whereas extortion emails typically use minor details (like an old password) to bluff you into believing that the sender has more incriminating content or information about you.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>What Are Some Examples of Extortion Emails?</h2>
Most English extortion emails are poorly written with many spelling and grammar errors. The emails are usually somewhat lengthy with lots of threats, and the sender tries to portray themselves as authoritative.
The email usually reveals something vague you're "guilty" of but could apply to many people, almost like a star sign.
It's important to note that if someone has incriminating evidence against you, they'll expose it because it'll ultimately increase the chances you'll pay!
Here is an extortion email example Malwarebytes Labs received from a victim:
"Hey, you don't know me. Yet I know just about everything about you...Well, the previous time you went to the adult porn sites, my malware was triggered in your computer, which ended up logging a eye-catching footage of your self-pleasure play by activating your webcam. (you got an unquestionably weird preference btw lmao)."
If you reply asking for proof, the sender threatens to send the video to 10 random people in your contacts list. The email shares a Bitcoin address where you should send $2,000 in Bitcoin.
In this particular email, the sender gives the recipient 24 hours to act. For anxious individuals, this sort of pressure could easily elicit a response.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h3>Why Do Extortion Emails Work?</h3>
Priya Sopori, a partner at law firm Greenberg Gluster, says,&nbsp;
"They play on our basest levels of psychology. You will read personalization into any generic statement. And if you believe that there are hackers out there that know every aspect of your life, and maybe they even know your life better than you do, you might actually pay even if you've done nothing at all."
By the email's mocking tone, cybercriminals know precisely what buttons to push and how to make you feel ashamed, even for something you haven't done.
The humiliation that your friends and family might see you in the same light puts immense pressure on the victim to take action&mdash;paying the ransom to avoid embarrassment!
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h3>Who Uses Extortion Emails?</h3>
Hackers usually sell databases from data breaches on underground forums to the highest bidder, so it's difficult to say where your details end up.
Most of these databases end up with low-level cybercriminals who run similar rackets&mdash;like the IRS scams where fraudsters threaten to arrest you if you don't pay unpaid taxes immediately.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>What to do With Extortion Emails</h2>
No matter how convincing an extortion email might be, never engage or respond with the sender. Any exchange could lead to the attacker learning more information about you.&nbsp;
You should also NEVER click any links or open attachments.
Most countries have cybercrime agencies. In the United States, the FBI has a division for handling cybercrimes. Report the extortion email immediately, even if criminals say there will be "repercussions" if you report them.
The authorities will usually have an email address where you can forward the extortion email. Once sent to the police, delete the email.
<h3>Change Your Passwords</h3>
Next, change the password for the account(s) where you use that password. Use a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">secure password generator</a> and use a different password for every account!
You must never reuse the same password for multiple accounts. If attackers steal your password from a data breach, they can easily access the other accounts you use through what's called credential stuffing.
<h3>Should You Pay the Ransom?</h3>
Paying an extortion email ransom will not resolve the matter. If anything, it'll make your life worse in the long run.&nbsp;
Criminals will invariably approach you again for money, or worse, sell your details as an "easy target" to other criminals.
If you know the attackers have incriminating details or content against you, consult your local authorities on how to proceed with the matter. Do not attempt to reply or negotiate on your own!
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>How to Deal With Extortion Emails at Your Company?</h2>
Although less common, extortion emails also target businesses. The sender might run a similar scam, exposing a company password as "proof" that the criminals have more incriminating information.
Most companies have pretty robust spam filtering, so these emails never reach the intended inbox. But companies must react appropriately.
As with extortion emails targeting individuals, companies must never engage with the sender! Report the email to authorities and delete it immediately. Add that email address to your blocked senders.
<h3>Change Passwords Immediately</h3>
Even if the password the sender revealed is old, change your passwords immediately, especially if you have used that password for multiple accounts&mdash;poor habit companies should stop immediately.
Using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> like TeamPassword will prevent companies from using the same credentials more than once. TeamPassword's built-in password generator allows you to create strong passwords from 12-32 characters using uppercase, lowercase, symbols, and numbers.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>Secure Company Passwords with TeamPassword</h2>
Protecting your company's digital assets starts with <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">secure password management</a>. Companies need to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-safely-share-passwords-with-coworkers" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">share passwords with coworkers</a> while maintaining high levels of security.&nbsp;
Here's how TeamPassword can help!
<h3>One Password Manager for Every Account!</h3>
Instead of sharing raw login credentials, each team member (including clients, freelancers, and contractors) gets a TeamPassword account.
Team members then use one of TeamPassword's browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, and Safari) to log into social media accounts, productivity apps, marketing tools, and other web applications. Similar to how Google Chrome remembers your passwords.
So why not just use Google Chrome?
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/should-i-use-my-browsers-built-in-password-manager" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Passwords saved in your browser</a> can be helpful for individual use but pose many security vulnerabilities and don't work well for sharing passwords securely.
<h3>Groups and Sharing</h3>
TeamPassword is built for sharing. You create groups for your various accounts, clients, or however you wish to distribute access.
Instead of sharing raw credentials, you add relevant coworkers to a group. This feature allows you to limit access to those who need it and prevents team members from sharing passwords, preventing unauthorized logins.
When a team member no longer needs access, simply remove them with one click. No need to change passwords every time someone leaves a project!
<h3>Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</h3>
2FA is your second line of defense for <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">secure password management</a>. Even if attackers steal a team member's credentials, 2FA prevents them from accessing your TeamPassword account.
<h3>Activity &amp; Notifications</h3>
TeamPassword's activity log lets you monitor or review team member's logins, including credential sharing, setting up new accounts, changing passwords, and more.
You can also get instant email notifications for all TeamPassword actions, allowing you to track sensitive accounts or data.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>Get Your Free TeamPassword Account Today!</h2>
Don't let your company fall victim to extortion emails, credential stuffing, and other password vulnerabilities. Let <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> take care of security while you focus on growing a successful business!
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> to test TeamPassword with your team members today.

Cybercrime is rising. Cybercriminals are using Extortion emails to perpetrate crimes. So what can you do if you receive one of these emails?

Cybercrime is rising. Cybercriminals are using Extortion emails to perpetrate crimes. So what can you do if you ...

Extortion Emails | What Are They and What You Need to Know

What are Extortion Emails?

As more and more of our daily lives involve being online and connected, new dangers are popping up. We&rsquo;re putting a huge amount of our personal information out into cyberspace, whether it&rsquo;s our vital signs from our last doctor&rsquo;s visit, our credit card information, or which restaurants we visit.&nbsp;

There is a huge amount of value in data, especially for people who are willing to steal from others. Although an opportunistic criminal might not care that you ate pancakes this morning, they do care about finding your social security number and using it for personal gain.

Cybercrime is growing. To help protect our sensitive online data, the cybersecurity industry has also grown, reducing the amount of data stolen and keeping us safer online. But what exactly is cybersecurity, and how can you start a career in this important field?&nbsp;
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#whydoes" rel="follow">Why Does Cybersecurity Occur?</a></li>
<li><a href="#thebasics" rel="follow">Cybersecurity Basics</a></li>
<li><a href="#expertsindemand" rel="follow">Demand for Cybersecurity Experts</a></li>
<li><a href="#startcareer" rel="follow">What You Need to Start Your Cybersecurity Career</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="whydoes">Why Does Cybercrime Occur?&nbsp;</h2>

Typically, people commit cybercrimes for a simple reason: profit. They can make money by running scams that get people to send money. Or, they can steal personal data and sell it. Cybercriminals also use ransom tactics by taking data or control hostage in order to extort money out of organizations and governments.&nbsp;

Aside from money, the most common motive for cyberattacks is to gain control or political advantage. <a href="https://online.maryville.edu/blog/cyber-terrorism" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Cyberterrorism</a> is an emerging threat that not only affects data but also resources like food production and energy distribution.&nbsp;

Cyberterrorists have targeted all kinds of facilities, including meatpacking facilities, power plants, gasoline pipelines, and communication facilities. These attacks can cause widespread power outages, shortages of necessities, and the inability to call for emergency help.&nbsp;

Today, most facilities use the internet in some way for their daily operations. This means that they are vulnerable to both physical and cyberattacks. Protecting the systems that allow society to function is critical for minimizing disruption and harm to innocent people living in communities all over the world. &nbsp;

Understanding how interconnected all our systems are underlines the importance of cybersecurity. When essential services are cut off, people become fearful and may even experience physical harm or lose their lives.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/uQ0CIEnQOm6sKKvA4KLr" alt="undefined">
<h2 id="thebasics">The Basics of Cybersecurity</h2>

The field of cybersecurity is very complex and involves many different tactics to reduce the possibility of a successful cyberattack. For comprehensive protection against cybercrime, organizations must pay attention to the following <a href="https://www.compuquip.com/pp-back-to-cybersecurity-basics" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">basic elements</a>:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Management and Identification of Assets&mdash; Assets will include data and resources that could provide a motive for cybercrime.</li>
<li>Risk Management&mdash; Understanding potential security risks so they can be minimized.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Staff Management&mdash; Ensuring that staff members follow cybersecurity protocols, such as securing devices appropriately and <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password" rel="follow">using strong passwords</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Threat Management&mdash; Finding areas of weakness in the IT infrastructure.</li>
<li>Security Controls&mdash; Protocols to prevent attacks on data and other assets.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Disaster Recovery&mdash; Planning for disasters such as data breaches.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Incident Management&mdash; Response to cybersecurity issues that occur.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Ongoing Training and Awareness&mdash; People are usually the weakest link in protecting networks and digital assets. Ongoing training and awareness are essential.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Cybersecurity experts use software and tools like encryption to help prevent data theft and other cybercrimes. However, they have to look at security from many angles, including training staff and preparing for a potential breach or attack.&nbsp;

In cybersecurity, experts are constantly working to improve their tools and protocols, faster than hackers can crack them!&nbsp;

<h2 id="expertsindemand">Cybersecurity Experts are In Demand&nbsp;</h2>

By 2025, the global losses caused by cybercrime are <a href="https://www.fullstackacademy.com/blog/cybersecurity-job-demand" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">expected to reach $10.5 trillion</a>. As of 2021, annual losses had already reached $6 trillion. Although it&rsquo;s impossible to stop all cybercrime from occurring, cybersecurity experts are needed to minimize losses by staying ahead of hackers as they develop new kinds of attacks.&nbsp;

Right now, the demand for cybersecurity experts is growing. According to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, employment is expected to grow by 35% from 2021-2031, which is significantly faster than most other professions. If you start your education now and join the field of cybersecurity, you can look forward to high salaries and lots of available job opportunities.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/RH5nPf8RC4hADZ08DbqA" alt="undefined">
<h2 id="startcareer">What You Need to Start Your Career in Cybersecurity</h2>

The great news about getting started in cybersecurity is that you usually don&rsquo;t need an advanced degree to enter the field. Typically, if you have a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in computer science or a related field and you&rsquo;re able to start getting some work experience, you should be qualified to start your career as a cybersecurity professional.&nbsp;

Because the field is still relatively new, you have to be proactive and flexible. You&rsquo;ll need to be willing to learn on the job and stay up to date with new trends and practices.&nbsp;

Cybersecurity is always evolving, so you won&rsquo;t be able to get complacent, but it can be an extremely fulfilling and interesting career path. We need more <a href="https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/blog/ethical-leadership-in-education" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">ethical leaders</a> in the field who are dedicated to preventing cyber criminals from achieving their goals!

<h3 id="gettinginto">Getting into Cybersecurity is a Smart Move&nbsp;</h3>

Now is a fantastic time to pursue a career in cybersecurity. Demand is strong, salaries are high, and there&rsquo;s a shortage of people with the skills and experience needed to protect our networks.&nbsp;

As our world&rsquo;s infrastructure begins relying more and more on connectivity, cybersecurity experts will be the people who protect our safety, our privacy, and our ability to communicate. Choosing a career in cybersecurity means that you get to be an important part of all that.&nbsp;


<h2>Protect Your Digital Assets with TeamPassword</h2>

Password Management is about more than just convenience; it&rsquo;s about cybersecurity as well. With <a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow">TeamPassword</a>, you can easily create strong unique passwords for every account, control who has access to which records, and protect your data with AES 256-bit encryption.&nbsp;

TeamPassword&rsquo;s intuitive user-interface means you and your team can experience the benefits and peace of mind of better password security in minutes, without the assistance of an IT professional or mandatory training.&nbsp;

Try it yourself. Sign up for a free 14-day trial today!&nbsp;

Growing cyber threats put personal data and infrastructure at risk, creating high demand for cybersecurity (CS) experts. Find out more here!

Growing cyber threats put personal data and infrastructure at risk, creating a high demand for cybersecurity experts. Learn ...

What Is Cybersecurity and How Do You Start a CS Career?

Growing cyber threats put personal data and infrastructure at risk, creating a high demand for cybersecurity experts. Learn more about cybersecurity generally and how to launch your cybersecurity career.

What Is Cybersecurity and How Do You Start a Career in the Field?

<h2>What is a Master Password?</h2>
A master password is a single password that acts as a gateway to multiple accounts and platforms. The term "master password" is typically used in the context of password managers.
If you're using a password manager, then technically, you only need to remember one set of credentials - the&nbsp;master password - to log into your password manager.
For example, TeamPassword stores your credentials and then logs you into your accounts using one of our browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)&mdash;similar to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-save-passwords-in-chrome-and-alternatives">saving passwords in Chrome</a> and other browsers.
Once you're logged into TeamPassword using your master password, the password manager does the rest. You never have to remember your credentials.

<h2>How to Create a Secure Master Password?</h2>
The simplest way to create a strong password is to use a&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a>. Use 16+ random upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, and never reuse the password elsewhere.
However, consider creating a passphrase if you need to remember the password. Use a sequence of words that creates a funny and memorable image, or use words related to the application it'll be used for.&nbsp;
Good passphrase:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">frog-yellowish-stranger-Timestamp</li>
</ul>
Even though this lacks a variety of character types, it clocks in at 33 characters which makes it an incredibly high-entropy password. Plus, it does have dash symbols and one uppercase letter.&nbsp;
Bad passphrase:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">the-windmills-of-your-mind</li>
</ul>
Stay away from song lyrics, famous quotes, and phrases that make sense.
If you'd like an in-depth explanation, check out our article dedicated to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">How to Make a Strong Password</a>. &rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;

<h2>What is the Master Password Algorithm?</h2>
Maarten Billemont designed the Master Password algorithm in 2012 as an alternative for traditional password management tools. Instead of storing passwords, the Password Manager algorithm recreates users' credentials each time they log in.
The idea behind Master Password is that if you don't store credentials, then criminals can't steal your passwords if they hack your network or device.
For Master Password to be effective, you must turn off device and browser password-saving features, so your credentials are never stored anywhere.
It's important to note that Master Password is currently undergoing an overhaul and will be switching to a revised version (Spectre), which is currently in beta testing.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>How Does the Master Password Algorithm Work?</h2>
The Master Password algorithm works a little like a calculator. You enter a series of parameters (including your name, master password, and site/app you're logging into), and Master Password calculates your password.
The Master Password app also takes a counter, which starts at 1 by default. The counter allows you to change your password. Every time you change a password, the counter increments by 1.&nbsp;
For example, you create a password for Instagram; the initial counter is 1 when you reset your Instagram password, the counter changes to 2.
You copy/paste the password into the password field for the login form, and you're done! The process works the same for creating passwords and logging into accounts.
The only parameter you need to memorize to calculate a password is your master password. Everyone should know their name, and the account is easy to remember because it appears in the address bar or app header.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>Master Password Algorithm Example</h2>
Here is an example for creating or logging into a Facebook account for John Doe using the Master Password algorithm.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Name: John Doe</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Master password: secret password phase</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Account: facebook.com</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Counter: 1</li>
</ul>
You enter these three parameters, and the Master Password app produces a password: tX0!tX7~qZ3!vO. Every time you enter those same parameters, Master Password will create the exact same password.
John Doe x secret password phrase x facebook.com x 1 = tX0!tX7~qZ3!vO
Rather than storing your password, Master Password calculates a result based on the parameters you enter. The master password always stays the same; only the name and account parameters change.
If you need to change your password, you increment the counter, and Master Password creates a new unique password.&nbsp;
Password change example for the same Facebook account:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Name: John Doe</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Master password: secret password phase</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Account: facebook.com</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Counter: 2</li>
</ul>
John Doe x secret password phrase x facebook.com x 2 = hS7}oD3:pO8^uI
For future logins, you have to remember your counter is 2 and no longer 1. The counter is the Master Password's biggest flaw! It can be difficult for people who have many accounts to remember what counter you're on for each one.
For example, your Twitter account might be on 4, Facebook on 7, Instagram on 1, and LinkedIn on 3. Keeping track of your counters could get overwhelming and confusing.
A user asked this question on Master Password's community, and the answer was: "To recover a lost non-default counter, just increment the counter and try the password on the site until you succeed."
The problem with this solution is that most websites and applications block your account after a certain number of failed attempts to prevent brute force attacks.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>What Apps Apply the Master Password Algorithm?</h2>
Maarten Billemont has made the Master Password algorithm free under the GPLv3 license. Meaning, anyone can run, study, share and modify the code. So, there are possibly many individuals and businesses using the technology privately.
There are two commercially available Master Password algorithm apps:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Master Password</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Spectre</li>
</ul>
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>Pros and Cons of Master Password Algorithm &amp; Who is it For?</h2>
Pros of Master Password algorithm:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">There is zero chance of criminals stealing account credentials from your device, including if your device is lost or stolen</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">You only need one master password</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The code is free to use so that anyone can develop a Master Password app</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">You create unique passwords for every account</li>
</ul>
Cons of Master Password algorithm:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The Master Password only works for personal use. No way to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-safely-share-passwords-with-coworkers">share credentials with coworkers</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Recalling passwords is slow&mdash;you have to open Master Password separately, enter the parameters, and then copy/paste the password.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Changing passwords means you have to change your counter. If you have lots of accounts (which most people do), you have to remember the counter for each one. If your accounts are all on a different counter, things can get very confusing. The only solution is to reset your password, resulting in another counter increment to remember!</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">If someone manages to steal your master password&mdash;through a spear-phishing attack, scam, or other means, they can download Master Password and calculate your passwords. </li>
</ul>
With these pros and cons in mind, using Master Password-based apps makes sense for personal use or companies that don't share the same credentials.
Even then, Master Password's counter flaw can create issues that could lead to time wasted figuring out which counter you're on or resetting passwords.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>TeamPassword: A Better Password Management Solution</h2>
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword is a robust password management solution</a> for teams to share credentials securely. Passwords are hashed, salted, and encrypted locally on your computer and then transmitted via an encrypted connection to the TeamPassword server.
This password storage method means you can never preview passwords (prevents unauthorized sharing), and not even TeamPassword can retrieve your credentials.
TeamPassword is a secure hosting provider with multiple security accreditations and uses state-of-the-art encryption technology.
<h3>Secure and Easy Credential Sharing</h3>
Unlike Master Password, TeamPassword lets you share credentials with employees, freelancers, and clients.&nbsp;
Here's how easy it is to share passwords in TeamPassword:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Create a TeamPassword account for your business&mdash;we offer a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">14-day free trial</a> ;)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Add your passwords to TeamPassword&mdash;we recommend resetting your passwords when moving to TeamPassword using our built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">secure password generator</a>.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Provide each team member with a TeamPassword login</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Create groups for your various accounts and add only the team members who need access&mdash;for example, a "Social Media Group" will have all your social media accounts, and only the social media or marketing team will have access</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Revoke access for any team member with a few clicks</li>
</ol>
If you need to change a password, simply use the built-in password generator, and TeamPassword automatically updates the new credentials for all users. No need to inform anyone or share the new password.
<h3>Features to Prevent Breaches</h3>
Each team member can protect their <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/password-manager-with-2fa">TeamPassword account with two-factor authentication (2FA)</a>&mdash;we use Google Authenticator and Authy available on iOS and Android.
With 2FA, even if attackers steal a team member's TeamPassword credentials, they can't log in without the second authentication step.
In the unlikely event that someone does breach your TeamPassword account, attackers have no way to preview or export your company's stored credentials.
<h3>Keeping Track of TeamPassword Activity</h3>
Another feature Master Password lacks is activity tracking and email notifications&mdash;crucial for reacting fast to suspicious activity!
TeamPassword's activity log keeps track of every action, including logins, sharing, password resets, new team members, and more. You can also set up email notifications for TeamPassword actions for instant alerts.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>More Master Password Alternatives</h2>
At TeamPassword, we're confident that we have the most secure and user-friendly password manager, so we don't mind sharing some of our competitors.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/1password-alternatives" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">1Password</a> - An effective password management solution. Limited customer support.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/category/review" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">LastPass</a> - If you're not tech-savvy, LastPass can be difficult to learn. Additionally, LastPass <a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2023/09/experts-fear-crooks-are-cracking-keys-stolen-in-lastpass-breach/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">suffered a series of concerning breaches</a>. Security experts do not recommend them.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/dashlane-alternatives" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">DashLane</a> is one of the most popular password managers for personal and family use and one of the most expensive.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
TeamPassword has no limits on the number of passwords or accounts you can store!
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2>Try TeamPassword for Free</h2>
The only master password you need is for your TeamPassword account!
Test our Groups and Sharing feature with your team members to experience the convenience of secure password sharing with TeamPassword. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial today</a>!

What is a master password, and why do you need a password manager? How can you protect your credentials from cybercriminals? | TeamPassword

What is a master password, and why do you need a password manager? How can you protect your ...

What is a Master Password and Do I Need One?

What is a Master Password?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) are both ways to improve the security of accounts by requiring more than one way to prove you have permission to access the account. While 2FA requires exactly two forms of authentication, MFA requires at least two forms of authentication. When choosing 2FA vs MFA, the common view is that more is always better (in this case, more secure).&nbsp;

However, since some forms of authentication are inherently stronger than others, it&rsquo;s often the case that the right form of 2FA provides more security with less aggravation than the wrong method of MFA.&nbsp;

Here&rsquo;s everything you need to know to choose MFA vs 2FA.

TeamPassword makes it easy to access accounts through the latest MFA technology. Don&rsquo;t believe us? Sign up for a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">14-day free trial today</a> and try for yourself.
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#whatis" rel="follow">What is authentication?</a></li>
<li><a href="#typesof" rel="follow">Types of secondary authentication factors</a></li>
<li><a href="#difference" rel="follow">Difference between 2FA and MFA</a></li>
<li><a href="#isbetter" rel="follow">Is MFA better than 2FA?</a></li>
<li><a href="#improves" rel="follow">2FA or MFA improves security</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="whatis">What is authentication?</h2>

Authentication is the way a user proves their identity. There are many ways to prove one&rsquo;s identity, the most common being to type in a username and password.&nbsp;

Authentication can be broken down into three categories based on the number of ways a person must prove their identity:

<ul>
<li>
Single-factor authentication (SFA)
</li>
<li>
Two-factor authentication (2FA)
</li>
<li>
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
</li>
</ul>
<h3>What is single-factor authentication?&nbsp;</h3>

Single-factor authentication (SFA) requires a user to validate their claimed identity in a single way, usually a username and password. This is the least secure form of authentication and comes with all the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-password-security-teampassword" rel="follow">issues associated with passwords</a>.

More recently, many mobile devices use <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-biometric-identification">biometrics</a> as a single-factor authentication.
<h3>What is two-factor authentication?</h3>

Two-factor authentication (2FA) requires a user to validate their claimed identity in exactly two ways. The first method is often a username and password, while the second form is more varied. The most common secondary factors are SMS, email, and authenticator app one-time password (OTP) codes.

2FA is far more secure than SFA because <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/have-i-been-pwnd-what-to-do-when-it-happens">passwords can be pwned</a> (that is, leaked online for hackers to exploit).
<h3>What is multi-factor authentication?</h3>

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires a user to validate their claimed identity in at least two ways. This is different from 2FA, in which exactly two methods are required to prove a user&rsquo;s claimed identity.

While MFA requires at least two forms of identity validation, in reality it often defaults to two methods. In that sense, more often than not, MFA is simply 2FA.&nbsp;

Furthermore, while some cybersecurity experts will claim that having more factors of authentication is always better, the reality is that some are inherently more secure, making further factors redundant and tedious.&nbsp;

However, when different types of authentication factors are chosen, then MFA requiring three or more factors will create a more secure login than 2FA.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/TYQ8O2K7TfubSvds1I30" alt="undefined">
<h2 id="typesof">Types of secondary authentication factors&nbsp;</h2>

To understand the different types of secondary authentication factors, simply remember the word PICK:

<ul>
<li>
Possession factors
</li>
<li>
Inherence factors
</li>
<li>
Context factors
</li>
<li>
Knowledge factors
</li>
</ul>

<h3>Possession factors</h3>

Possession authentication factors are things the user has. The most common possession factors are different types of one-time passwords (OTP), for example codes being sent to an authentication app, email address, or SMS.&nbsp;

Other forms of possession factors include special hardware. For example, you may need a security key, smart card, or cryptographic thumb drive.&nbsp;

Types of possession factors:

<ul>
<li>
Email codes
</li>
<li>
SMS codes
</li>
<li>
Authentication app codes
</li>
<li>
Phone calls to your listed phone number
</li>
<li>
Smart card
</li>
<li>
Security key
</li>
<li>
Cryptographic thumb drive
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Inherence factors</h3>

Inherence authentication factors are things the user is. The most common forms are biometrics data. Face ID and fingerprints are the least exotic inherence factors, but newer forms include iris scans, voice commands, or even gait recognition.&nbsp;

Types of inherence factors:

<ul>
<li>
Fingerprints
</li>
<li>
Facial recognition
</li>
<li>
Iris scan
</li>
<li>
Voice command
</li>
<li>
Gait recognition
</li>
</ul>

<h3>Context factors</h3>

Context authentication factors are based on where the user is. The most common context factors are geographic, for example requiring a user to be in a particular country, logged into a particular network, or using a secure company VPN, to be able to access their accounts.

Furthermore, some accounts may only be accessible at certain times, for example Monday to Friday during work hours.&nbsp;

Types of context factors:

<ul>
<li>
Originating country
</li>
<li>
Network connection
</li>
<li>
VPN connection
</li>
<li>
Time of day
</li>
<li>
Day of week
</li>
</ul>

<h3>Knowledge factors</h3>

Knowledge authentication factors are based on what the user knows. Besides usernames and passwords, separate PIN codes are a common form of knowledge factor. However, the most common form of knowledge factor is personal questions:

<ul>
<li>
What was the name of your first school?
</li>
<li>
What street did you grow up on?
</li>
<li>
What was the name of your first boss?
</li>
<li>
What was the name of your first pet?
</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/your-passwords-are-only-as-secure-as-your-teams">Social engineering attacks</a> have made many knowledge factors obsolete and unsafe. Therefore, knowledge factors are mostly unused today, at least by high-security businesses.

Types of knowledge factors:

<ul>
<li>
Username and password
</li>
<li>
PIN codes
</li>
<li>
Personal questions
</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="difference">Difference between 2FA and MFA</h2>

Two-factor authentication requires exactly two forms of identity validation, whereas multi-factor authentication requires at least two forms of validation. In this sense, all 2FA is MFA but not all MFA is 2FA.&nbsp;

<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/DmBsCrqDTr2ShbqBusdP" alt="undefined" width="550" height="550">

Many people might be wondering if MFA really is different from 2FA in practice. In fact, it is incredibly rare for a login to require more than two forms of authentication. That&rsquo;s because the added value of a third form of authentication is often marginal, while the added time and aggravation are strongly felt.

However, the value is really only marginal when the tertiary authentication is from the same category as the secondary one, or it is a less secure form of authentication.&nbsp;
<h2 id="isbetter">Is MFA better than 2FA?</h2>

In most cases, MFA defaults to 2FA. In many others, MFA doesn&rsquo;t contribute an appreciable amount of added security, but it still exerts a cost on users in the form of time wasting and frustration. However, there are situations in which the third (or fourth, fifth, &hellip;) authentication step does add another layer of security and is justified by the requirements of the business.

Let&rsquo;s look at three scenarios to see how MFA can be beneficial or redundant.&nbsp;
<h3>Scenario 1: Two inherence forms of secondary authentication</h3>

In this scenario, proving your identity requires three steps:

<ol>
<li>
Username and password
</li>
<li>
Fingerprint
</li>
<li>
Facial recognition
</li>
</ol>

In this case, we can say that Steps 2 and 3 are redundant. Both are hard to fake, meaning that a hacker couldn&rsquo;t exploit them without abducting the user, in which case they&rsquo;d have access to both the user&rsquo;s finger and face. In this case, MFA provides little added value over 2FA.
<h3>Scenario 2: One strong and one weak form of secondary authentication</h3>

In this scenario, proving your identity requires three steps:

<ol>
<li>
Username and password
</li>
<li>
Facial recognition
</li>
<li>
Security question
</li>
</ol>

In this case, security questions are often easily searchable information. If the data cannot be found on the user&rsquo;s social media, it can often be deduced by calling a relative or friend. The added security gained from requiring a user to answer security questions is so low that this becomes a frustrating and unnecessary third step.

<h3>Scenario 3: Two strong and varied forms of secondary authentication</h3>

In this scenario, proving your identity requires three steps:

<ol>
<li>
Must be connected to the company&rsquo;s network
</li>
<li>
Username and password
</li>
<li>
One-time password (OTP) through an authenticator app
</li>
</ol>

In this case, the company has used two non-redundant and very strong forms of authentication (context and possession) to ensure only authorized users may gain access to their information. While this could be overkill for some businesses, for others, especially those with a history of <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/colonial-pipeline-ransomware-attack-dont-reuse-passwords">ransomware</a> attacks, this added level of security is justified.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/E7ZbhNQz67yuh8ZLegPA" alt="undefined">
<h2 id="improves">2FA or MFA improves security</h2>

There are many issues with passwords:

<ul>
<li>
Hard to remember
</li>
<li>
Easily hacked by computers
</li>
<li>
Reused by users
</li>
<li>
Not changed often enough
</li>
</ul>

This makes them a weak form of authentication. Cybersecurity professionals use 2FA and MFA to make up for the shortcomings of passwords by adding another step to the identity validation process.&nbsp;

A password manager goes one step further. Instead of requiring you to spend time authenticating multiple accounts, TeamPassword keeps all of your passwords secure behind a strong MFA wall.&nbsp;

We create, store, and share your account passwords securely so you don&rsquo;t need to remember hundreds of passwords, or fall into the trap of using the same password for hundreds of accounts.

TeamPassword uses the most secure forms of MFA to protect your important accounts. Don&rsquo;t believe us? <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today and try for yourself.

Comparing 2FA vs MFA can be confusing. The fact is 99% of the time they are functionally the same, but there are minor differences.

Comparing 2FA vs MFA can be confusing. The fact is 99% of the time they are functionally the ...

2FA vs MFA: Are they the same?

Over the last decade, the gig economy boom has allowed professionals worldwide to switch to freelancing and build a network of international clients.&nbsp;
According to Upwork, 1 in 3 US workers engaged in freelance work during 2020. Some of the most successful freelancers earn hundreds of thousands of dollars per year through platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Does your company hire freelancers? How do you <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/should-i-share-data-with-freelancers">share passwords with freelancers</a>? TeamPassword is an affordable password management solution for small businesses, startups, and agencies to share credentials securely with team members and freelancers. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>10 Successful Freelancers</h2>
Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field with excellent track records&mdash;many have worked with the biggest companies in the world!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>1. Scott Luscombe - Graphic Designer / Shopify Expert / Website Developer / Copywriter&nbsp; - Canada</h3>
Scott Luscombe is a freelance graphic designer, Shopify expert, website developer, and copywriter from Uxbridge, Canada. He holds a degree in Illustration from Sheridan College and a degree in Marketing from the University of Toronto.
Scott has been a freelancer for most of his professional career and has earned over $500k on Upwork. He has completed over 311 jobs and worked&nbsp;10,956 hours!&nbsp;
Scott's work includes graphic design and branding, illustration and icons, copywriting, website design and development, UX/UI, and printing and packaging. He also provides freelance coaching and consulting. Scott is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer currently charging $99 per hour for various creative gigs.
Some of Scott's most notable work includes designs for Coca-Cola, the Canadian Cancer Society, Nickelodeon, and Wallet Ninja (to name a few).&nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>2. Kathy Edens - Marketing Consultant / Freelance Copywriter - United States</h3>
<a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~016177d19f0624c1a7?viewMode=1">Kathy Edens is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with over $300k platform earnings! Kathy has been self-employed as a marketing consultant and freelance copywriter for almost ten years from her home in Ohio, United States.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing and Psychology from Oregon State University, which she says "...helps me understand how to reach your target audience with words."&nbsp;
Kathy has ghost-written several non-fiction books on various topics, including social entrepreneurship, healthcare, real estate investing, and the cannabis industry, to name a few.
Kathy also writes web content, sales pages, email marketing content, case studies, white papers, brochures, press releases, and more. Kathy's rates start at $86 per hour for her writing and marketing services.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>3. Koen van Oeveren - UX designer - Netherlands</h3>
Koen van Oeveren is a freelance UI &amp; UX designer from North Brabant, Netherlands, with almost ten years of experience. Koen works with several design agencies in the Netherlands, designing apps, websites, and eCommerce experiences for many international brands.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Koen holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Communication and Multimedia Design from Avans University in the Netherlands. Koen's <a href="https://www.koenvo.com/index.html">portfolio website Koenvo</a> was nominated for a <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/sites/koenvo-ui-ux-portfolio">2021 awwwards. Award</a>.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>4. Pascal Strasche - Product / UX designer - Germany</h3>
Pascal Strasche is a product and UX designer with more than ten years of design experience from Germany. He holds a Master of Arts in Interaction Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, both from HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
For almost a year over 2020/2021, Pascal worked as the sole product designer to design Con Cubo's SaaS tool that helps complex organizations visualize and manage teams. He's also worked with German steel giant XOM Materials to find product solutions to digitalize&nbsp;Germany's steel industry.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
In 2019, Pascal founded Product Design Resources, a growing archive of 800+ design resources, weekly updated for the design community.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>5. Paul Hunkin - Developer - New Zealand</h3>
Paul Hunkin is a freelance software consultant and developer from Tauranga, New Zealand, but currently living in Portugal.&nbsp;
Paul has over ten years of experience as a software developer with an impressive work history, including Google, NASA, InfoSys, and the Chinese aerospace industry leader COMAC.
He's worked with several early-stage startups designing everything from high-performance big-data systems to complex web applications to 3D rendering engines. He's also built a lot of the foundational code for independent games on Android.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Paul is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. His rates start at $120 per hour for software development. <a href="https://paulh.consulting/">Check out Paul's website</a> for more about his impressive portfolio and work history.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>6. Jana Galat - Writer / Brand Strategist - Canada</h3>
Jana Galat is a freelance copywriter and brand strategist from Ontario, Canada. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Organizational Studies from King's University College and an Honors in Business Administration from Western University.
Jana has extensive experience writing landing pages, email campaigns, social media ads, and print materials and says, "I am obsessed with creating copy that sells..."
After several years of professional work experience, Jana went freelance in 2019 and has quickly built a reputation as a <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01bfa17a48301876dd">Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with over $70k in platform earnings. Jana's rates start at $100 per hour for copywriting and brand consulting.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>7. Kate H. - Logo Designer / Branding Expert - United States</h3>
Kate is a freelance professional logo designer and branding expert from Maryland, United States. Kate&nbsp;ran her own green wedding brand which she sold to mywedding.com in 2014, allowing her to focus on helping small&nbsp;businesses figure out what they want (and who they are) and translate that into design.
She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management from Yale School of The Environment, and a J.D. in environmental law from Pace Law School.&nbsp;
Kate's skillset includes redesigning and updating material to make it easier to understand, building a consistent brand from a simple starting point like a logo, and creating unique logos that guarantee results.
Kate is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer, and her rates start at $225 per hour. You can find out more about Kate on her <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~013ce73876c1c18126" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Upwork profile</a>.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>8. Marcos Rezende - UX designer - Canada</h3>
Marcos Rezende is a UX Designer from Ontario, Canada, with more than 13 years of experience. Marcos has worked in over 30 industry sectors for multinational organizations in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Brazil.&nbsp;
Some of Marcos' notable projects include apps for Ontario's COVID-19 dashboard, Urban Master Planning collaboration platform, and Reaction (kid's e-learning app), to name a few.&nbsp;
Marcos loves sharing his industry expertise with aspiring UX designers and regularly writes for the popular UX publication Career Foundry. Total recognizes Marcos as part of its "Top 3%" of global freelancer talent&mdash;a title given to elite freelancers in their given field.
We don't have access to Marcos' rates, but the best UX designers on Upwork earn upwards of $100 per hour. As a Toptal Top 3% freelancer, Marcos likely charges $200-$300 per hour.
<a href="https://www.marcosrezende.com/">Marcos Rezende's website</a> was nominated for the prestigious <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/sites/ux-portfolio-marcos-rezende">awwwards.</a> in 2021.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>9. Tanya Litvinova - UX/UI Designer - United States</h3>
Tanya Litvinova is a freelance UX/UI designer from New York City, United States. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design / Communication Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Tanya specializes in product, mobile, and web design as well as user experience flow, research, and validation.
"I have a passion to make the complex simple, shape behavior, design, plan, and strategize. Aiming for the best user experience, all the while balancing the needs of business and technology to create engaging, habit-forming digital products."
Tanya has worked with Fortune 100 &amp; Fortune 500 companies and successfully delivered business-transforming data-driven analytics, responsive BI dashboards, enterprise web apps, and management systems. Some of Tanya's notable clients include KOCH Industries, BlackRock Financial, BCG Group, and FireEye, to name a few.
<a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0165035041b26e96df">Tanya is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with more than $200k platform earnings. Her current rate starts at $162.50 per hour.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>10. Guangming Lang - Data Scientist - United States</h3>
Guangming Lang is a freelance data scientist from Michigan, United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from New College of Florida and a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan. Guangming has also completed several Coursera courses in data science and machine learning.
Guangming has been a freelancer since 2013 and has worked across several industries, including fintech, trading, medicine, biotech, advertising, and HR.&nbsp;
Guangming is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. He's completed 216 jobs on Upwork totaling 3,805 hours! Guangming's current rates start at $200 per hour.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Secure Freelancer Workflows With TeamPassword</h2>
No matter how talented or reputable the freelancers and contractors you hire, your company must use secure workflows to protect your digital assets.
Freelancers often need access to shared accounts and tools. Using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> is the first step to securing these accounts and platforms. You can also use a password manager to share credentials with employees, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure you never expose raw passwords via email, spreadsheets, chat apps, and other non-secure methods.
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> lets you create groups to share access with only those who need it. When they're done, revoke access with a single click. No need to change passwords every time someone leaves the team.
If you do need to change a password, TeamPassword's built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a> lets you create secure passwords between 12-32 characters using numbers, letters (uppercase/lowercase), and symbols.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Ready to onboard clients and freelancers securely with TeamPassword's robust <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password management solution</a>? <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a free trial</a> to secure your company's digital assets today!

Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field.

Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in ...

10 extremely successful freelancers and what they do

Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field with excellent track records—many have worked with the biggest companies in the world!

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>
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<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.

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

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TeamPassword Blog

Browse our carefully created articles about Information Security, Password Management, Product Information, and Modern Business, all written with your team's safety and success in mind.

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