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

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

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

Have I Been Hacked? How to Know for Sure.

Passkeys are a new way of signing in to your online accounts with a biometric sensor or PIN, eliminating the need for passwords. They are predicted to dethrone passwords as the most popular form of identity verification in the coming years.&nbsp;
Here's a top-level analogy for how passkeys work: imagine a super secure keycard for each website or app, stored on your phone. That's kind of like a passkey. It uses your fingerprint or PIN to verify it's you, then proves it to the website without ever revealing the actual key. Websites can't steal it like a password, and you don't need to remember anything!
Passkeys can be hard to wrap your head around. There's a good bit of magic happening behind the scenes that goes beyond the scope of this article. In the Technical Overview section, I've linked to several resources that will help you understand passkeys from an implementation perspective.&nbsp;

[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#whatispasskey" rel="follow">What Is Passkey Technology?</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#howpasskeyswork" rel="follow">How Passkeys Work: A Technical Overview</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#passkeyloginexamples" rel="follow">Passkey Login Examples</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#passkeyvspasswordauthentication" rel="follow">Passkeys vs. Passwords: The Authentication Process</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#howtoimplement" rel="follow">How to Implement Passkey Technology</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="whatispasskey">What Is Passkey Technology?</h2>
Multi-device FIDO credentials, commonly known and advertised as passkeys, had their earliest iterations decades ago as hardware security keys like smart cards. These hardware solutions required specialized readers and were expensive to deploy and maintain, and never achieved ubiquity in consumer security.&nbsp;
In 2015, the <a href="https://fidoalliance.org/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">FIDO Alliance</a>, a group of industry leaders whose goal is to "help reduce the world&rsquo;s over-reliance on passwords," developed and published a set of specifications for phishing-resistant authentication mechanisms. By 2020, most browsers had implemented the WebAuthn specification, which eliminated the need for special hardware and paved the way for relying parties (websites/applications) and platform vendors like Apple and Google to bring passkey technology to the average consumer.&nbsp;
With Apple syncing your passkeys through its iCloud Keychain and Google doing the same with its password manager, and with passkey storage/syncing just around the corner for third-party password managers, the last roadblock for passkeys is being eliminated.&nbsp;
You can now use the biometric or PIN that unlocks your phone to sign in to any compatible website. Your passkeys cannot be phished, guessed, or brute-forced - a threat actor would need both your physical device and the PIN or biometrics to unlock it.&nbsp;
<h2 id="howpasskeyswork">How Passkeys Work: A Technical Overview</h2>
Passkeys leverage the power of public key cryptography and secure key storage on devices to provide a more robust and user-friendly authentication experience compared to traditional passwords.
<h3>Underlying Standards</h3>
Passkeys rely on two key specifications:
<ul>
<li>WebAuthn (Web Authentication): This defines how browsers and websites interact for secure authentication. It allows websites to request credentials (passkeys in this case) from the user's device and validate them.</li>
<li>FIDO2 (Fast Identity Online 2): This is a broader set of standards developed by the FIDO Alliance for strong authentication. It includes CTAP (Client to Authenticator Protocol), which defines how devices (like phones) communicate with authentication hardware (security keys) or software (built-in authenticators).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Passkey Creation</h3>
When you create a passkey, here's what happens behind the scenes:
<ul>
<li>Public-Key Pair Generation: Your device generates a public-key cryptography pair. The public key is sent to the service and stored on their server. The private key remains securely stored on your device, often in a trusted platform module (TPM) or secure enclave.</li>
<li>Attestation Ceremony: To ensure the private key is generated securely by your device and not malware, an attestation ceremony takes place. This involves the device proving to the service (often with the help of the platform like Android or iOS) that it can securely generate and manage cryptographic keys.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Passkey Login</h3>
Logging in with a passkey involves:
<ul>
<li>Challenge: The service sends a random challenge to your device.</li>
<li>Signed Response: Your device uses the private key to decrypt the challenge and create a digital signature. This signature proves you possess the private key without revealing the key itself.</li>
<li>Public Key Verification: The service retrieves the public key it has stored for you and uses it to verify the signature in the response. If valid, it grants you access.</li>
</ul>
Additional Security Features:
<ul>
<li>FIDO2 extensions can be used for features like resident credentials (passkeys stored only on your device) and multi-device support (using your phone to unlock passkeys on your computer).</li>
<li>Biometric Authentication: You can use your fingerprint, PIN, or facial recognition to unlock the private key on your device, adding an extra layer of security.</li>
</ul>
Unless I were to turn this blog into a treatise on&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-key_cryptography" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">public key cryptography</a>, device security (such as&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_execution_environment" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Trusted Execution Environments</a>), and the history of Authentication in general, I can't give a complete technical explanation of passkeys. If you wish to understand passkeys at that depth, you may be better served by perusing the FIDO Alliance library of whitepapers <a href="https://fidoalliance.org/content/white-paper/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;
In <a href="https://auth0.com/blog/our-take-on-passkeys/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">this excellent review of passkeys by Vittoria Bertocci</a>, we learn how the FIDO2 specification allows passkey implementation: "...by using the Javascript API defined in the WebAuthn specification, developers can leverage either hardware keys (e.g., YubiKeys) or secure hardware on the device (e.g., secure elements on your phone, TPMs on your laptop) gated by biometric sensors to authenticate users without using passwords."&nbsp;
Additionally, Apple's <a href="https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2020/10670/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">15-minute video introducing passkeys for developers</a> explains important concepts - you can watch the full video or read the transcript.&nbsp;


<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/xSMibgN5QsSyT3DVRZQq" alt="undefined" width="409" height="448">
Credit: <a href="https://fidoalliance.org/content/white-paper/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">FIDO Alliance whitepaper</a> on multi-device FIDO credentials
<h2 id="passkeyloginexamples">Passkey Login Examples</h2>
Note:&nbsp;Below is just one example of creating and logging in with passkeys. The process looks different depending on the website/application you're signing in to, the device you're signing in from, and whether or not you use one platform vendor's ecosystem or several (Google, Microsoft, Apple etc).&nbsp;&nbsp;
For this example, I'm using the demo at <a href="https://www.passkeys.io/">https://www.passkeys.io/</a>.
First, I'm signing up on a Pixel 4A running Android 13.&nbsp;
Since it's my first time logging in, I'm asked to create an account using my email address.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/Wspirk2tQqGOy2bjXA3R" alt="undefined" width="294" height="374">

Next, I'm asked to save a passkey.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/JesHzofhRvO9omSKqzpq" alt="undefined" width="282" height="186">
By tapping "Save a passkey," I prompt my device to display its own popup confirming that I really want to save a passkey. This popup looks different depending on your platform vendor (Macbook, Android smartphone, etc.).&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/LqjPYDzURQWg6M6J3yjC" alt="undefined" width="262" height="406">

Tapping continue displays a prompt to confirm passkey creation by unlocking my device with my fingerprint or PIN. Doing so authorizes the creation of a public/private cryptographic key pair. The private key is stored on your device, and the public key is stored by the relying party - in this case, passkeys.io.&nbsp;
I touch my fingerprint sensor and am instantly logged into passkeys.io. Account setup is complete.
The device on which I created the private key will now take care of roaming - more on that in a moment.&nbsp;
That's it!
Well - not quite.
It's pretty sweet that I didn't have to create, remember, or save a password. The trade-off is that I've only authorized this specific device to sign in to this account - or, if syncing is enabled, other Android devices synced to the same Google account.&nbsp;
Now, I need to log in on my Macbook.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>On the passkeys.io homepage, I select "Sign in with a passkey."&nbsp;</li>
<li>Selecting "Use a different phone or tablet" displays a QR code (if Bluetooth isn't on, your devices will ask permission to turn it on).</li>
<li>I scan the QR code with my phone.</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/73UpITpNSTSO9jQOVPpw" alt="Screenshot 2023-08-28 at 4.27.36 PM.webp" width="283" height="284" style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/KjyQiIAQSQmjgmT9Sk0G" alt="undefined" width="281" height="512">
<ul>
<li>This initiates a Bluetooth handshake.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Note: The passkey authentication ceremony is not done over Bluetooth. Bluetooth is used to confirm that the devices are geographically near each other. This thwarts remote phishing attempts and a host of other remote attacks.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Once this virtual handshake has taken place and the devices agree that they're close to one another, they go to an authorized verification server to authorize the new device.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Note: The private key on device 1 (Android smartphone, in my case) is not transferred to device 2 (Macbook). Device 1 has simply confirmed that device 2 is in close proximity and performs a passkey authentication ceremony to allow device 2 to log in.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Optimally, the website would automatically ask if I want to create a passkey for this new device - but it's up to the website (relying party). On passkeys.io, I need to click + Add a passkey to create a passkey on the Macbook so I can log in without my phone.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/0aKqd6k8QoKmrdjXZCtC" alt="undefined" width="337" height="267">
When I sign in to passkeys.io on my Macbook, I can now do so with my fingerprint or device password.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/3GtshXT0aFlnwhgYArrQ" alt="Screenshot 2023-08-28 at 4.34.19 PM.webp" width="285" height="336">
This screenshot drives home the point that passkey security = device security
If your device does not have a passkey and cannot set it up (or you choose not too), an alternative authentication method is provided such as a one-time code to your email. Security is then dependent on your email's security.&nbsp;
Lastly, I'd like to point out a side-effect of public-private cryptography. While you can delete your account on the website or application, this only deletes your public key. Your device doesn't know that its public key pair has been deleted, so when you sign in, you will be prompted to "Use saved passkey." However, selecting this option and verifying with your fingerprint causes the sign-in form to say, "This passkey cannot be used anymore." You need to delete your private keys separately.
<h3>Device-bound passkeys vs. synced passkeys</h3>
Apple and Google support syncing passkeys within their ecosystem. As you can read on Apple's memo <a href="https://developer.apple.com/passkeys/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">here</a>, this greatly increases convenience while placing the security of your private cryptographic key in Apple's hands.&nbsp;
If you don't want this, you can disable passkey syncing and use the alternative method of turning on Bluetooth to confirm proximity and authorizing a new device to create its own passkey, thus adding a new device to the list of those that can log into the given account.&nbsp;
<h2 id="passkeyvspasswordauthentication">Passkeys vs. Passwords: The Authentication Process</h2>
With passwords, anyone with your password can log into your account.*
With passkeys, anyone with your physical device and the ability to unlock that device (through PIN, pattern, or biometrics) can log in to your account.&nbsp;
Because the private key is device-based and invisible, phishing is impossible.&nbsp;

*Additional safeguards in the form of various Multi-factor Authentication technologies have been created to bolster the inherent weaknesses of passwords, but <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2022-uber-breach#:~:text=How%20did%20the%20Uber%20breach%20happen%3F" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">these also have their pitfalls</a>.&nbsp;
<h2 id="howtoimplement">How to Implement Passkey Technology</h2>
As a consumer, you are at the mercy of the website or application. Old devices may not support passkey technology. The app/website will recognize this and won't offer to create a passkey.&nbsp;
As Android 14 rolls out in September 2023, third-party password managers will be able to store and sync your passkeys.
Currently, Google Password Manager syncs passkeys between your Android devices that are signed into the same Google account.&nbsp;
For Apple, the iCloud Keychain takes care of syncing your passkeys.&nbsp;
With both ecosystems, syncing can be turned on and off.&nbsp;
<h3>Implementing passkey technology as a developer</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fidoalliance.org/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">FIDO Alliance</a>: The Fast Identity Online (FIDO) Alliance provides open standards for strong authentication. Their resources include specifications and guides for implementing passwordless and passkey-based authentication.</li>
<li>Online Development Communities: Platforms like Stack Overflow, Reddit's r/programming, and GitHub discussions offer spaces for developers to ask questions, share experiences, and seek guidance on implementing passkey technology.</li>
<li><a href="https://fidoalliance.org/specifications/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">FIDO 2 Specifications (including WebAuthn)</a>: A great page to get started learning the necessary specifications. Has a link to download the full specifications.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Implementing passkey technology requires a blend of understanding user needs, cryptography principles, and security best practices.
<h3>Boost Password Security With TeamPassword</h3>
Passkeys are not yet universally supported, so password security deserves your attention. If you share passwords with colleagues and need an easy, secure, and cost-effective way to do so, <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">try TeamPassword</a>. If you have questions, <a href="https://teampassword.com/support" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">reach out to our support team</a> - we're happy to hear from you.&nbsp;
TeamPassword focuses on frictionless implementation, <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">ease of use</a>, <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">security</a>, and exceptional customer support.
Need proof? Read what <a href="https://www.g2.com/products/teampassword/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">our customers are saying about us on G2</a>.&nbsp;

Passkey technology will eventually replace the passwords we use today. But how does the technology work? Learn about passkeys and the tech behind them here.

Passkey technology will eventually replace the passwords we use today. But how does the technology work? Learn about ...

Passkey Technology: How Do Passkeys Work?

Passwords are implicated in <a href="https://www.verizon.com/business/en-gb/resources/reports/dbir/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwkJm0BhBxEiwAwT1AXC086DitRVRhBFApELAzMwB8N18qiSuoe_ArARw3bCGi3CO317PWjxoCXWYQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">81% of hacking-related breaches</a>. According to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/american-password-habits/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Forbes</a>, 46% percent of Americans reported having their password stolen in the past year, 35% believe that their password was compromised due to a weak password, while 30% attribute the theft to using the same password across multiple platforms.&nbsp;
You weren't one of them? Lucky you. Maybe you don't use a password as ridiculous as "123456" or "Password" (believe us, plenty of people still use these). But you may still be part of the majority of Americans who made common password security mistakes in 2024. If you are, you might not be so lucky next time.
Astonishingly, 43 percent&mdash;that's nearly half of us&mdash;shared personal passwords with other people at some point this year. That's without protection like a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-a-password-manager" rel="follow">good password manager</a>, which&nbsp;is just asking for trouble.&nbsp;
The above is just one of the fascinating insights from a <a href="https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/password-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">report</a> by the pro-consumer website comparitech.com. Below are some of our favorites. Have you broken any of these rules? If you have, it's not too late to change your ways!
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#ayearin" rel="follow">A Year in Numbers, Letters, and Special Characters</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="#drowning" rel="follow">Drowning in Passwords</a></li>
<li><a href="#reduce" rel="follow">Reduce, Reuse, Recycle</a></li>
<li><a href="#cursing" rel="follow">Curses</a></li>
<li><a href="#hot" rel="follow">Hot Trends</a></li>
<li><a href="#personal" rel="follow">Keeping It Personal</a></li>
<li><a href="#repeat" rel="follow">We Repeat, I Repeat, We&nbsp;Repeat</a></li>
<li><a href="#don'tlike" rel="follow">Less Isn't More</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#improveyour" rel="follow">Improve Your Password Security</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="ayearin">A Year in Numbers, Letters, and Special Characters</h2>
<h3 id="drowning">We're Drowning In Passwords</h3>
Thirty-seven percent of people manage more than 20 passwords for their personal lives, and 10 to 97 work passwords, depending on their industry and country.&nbsp;
Shockingly, <a href="https://www.silicon.co.uk/press-release/over-54-of-people-globally-rely-on-memory-to-manage-passwords-and-reuse-credentials-at-work" rel="follow">54% of people rely on memory</a> alone to manage their passwords, including passwords they use for work!&nbsp;
Unsurprisingly, our reliance on our memory for passwords has resulted in <a href="https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/password-statistics/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">78% of us having to reset a personal password</a> in the last 90 days, and over half of us (57%) have had to reset a work-related password in that same time period. Resetting passwords is an annoying and time-consuming endeavor, with the average American spending <a href="https://www.expressvpn.com/blog/survey-how-much-time-do-you-waste-resetting-your-passwords/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">26 hours each year </a>resetting passwords!
How does that play out at work? Roughly 50% of employees sometimes or frequently share passwords with colleagues, usually by email (53%). If you're concerned about your team's password management practices, maybe it's time to consider an <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/best-password-managers-for-teams" rel="follow">alternative method</a>.&nbsp;
<h3 id="reduce">We Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle</h3>
Thirty-two percent of people use the same password across multiple accounts, with <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/american-password-habits/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">14% using the same password for both work and personal accounts</a>. On average, employees use the same password an average of 13 times! Most people that do reuse passwords, use the same password on at least four different accounts.&nbsp;
Who are the worst offenders? Millenials. <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/get-creative-the-average-us-user-recycles-online-passwords-at-least-four-times/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Seventy-six percent</a> of millennials recycle their passwords. Those in the 50+ age range are less likely to recycle their passwords and are&nbsp;more likely to use unique passwords for their online accounts.&nbsp;
If only we could get people to commit to recycling their recyclables!&nbsp;
<h3 id="cursing">We're Cursing More</h3>
It's been a terrible few years for many people, so perhaps Americans are expressing their frustrations through their password choices. Out of 2.2 billion unique passwords that were analyzed, 152,933,335 (about 7%) included curse words. Of those, the favorite curse word, by far, was "ass," followed by "sex," and the f-bomb coming in a close third.&nbsp;
What little research exists on swearing suggests that cursing has been on the rise linguistically since the 1950s, appearing more in music, books, and, yes, even in our passwords.&nbsp;
Cybercriminals know this and will often use curses in their attempts to crack passwords. So, if you curse in your passwords, you might want to keep it clean for your sake (and grandma's).
<h3 id="hot">Our Passwords Are Hot, Hot, Hot</h3>
The most common season used in passwords is "summer", with the top three months being "may," "june," and "august" respectively.&nbsp;
"Abu" for Abu Dhabi is the most widely used city in the world. "Austin" and "antonio" are the top the list of US cities.
For sports teams, the NBA's "Suns" and "Heat" are the most widely used in passwords globally.
Maybe there's no correlation, but we don't believe in coincidences.&nbsp;
<h3 id="personal">We Keep It Personal</h3>
Most people use personal information in their passwords to keep them memorable. Fifty-nine percent use their name or birthdate.&nbsp;
Which names are the most popular? Pets. That's right, <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/get-creative-the-average-us-user-recycles-online-passwords-at-least-four-times/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">33% of respondents use a pet's name</a>, whereas 18% use their first name, 16% use their last name, 11% use a friend's name, and 8% use a parent's name. Spouses didn't make the list.&nbsp;
For humans, Eva and Alex appear the most, both topping 7 million appearances, with Anna, Max, and Ava following behind. 
Personal information should&nbsp;never be used in a password. Cybercriminals can scour the internet, collecting data about you to use in a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/10-cyberattacks-recently-used-by-hackers-2023" rel="follow">cyberattack</a>.
<h3 id="repeat">We Like to Repeat Characters. Repeatedly.</h3>
Seven percent of people used a password with repeated characters in 2024. That means passwords like "aaaaa" and "eeeee." We're not sure why.&nbsp;
Repeating characters is NOT recommended. Including a variety of characters, including a mix of uppercase and lowercase, special characters (e.g. ! @, *, etc.), and numbers increase the number of possible combinations, which increases how long it would take to crack the password.&nbsp;
<h3 id="don'tlike">We Don't Like to Use Lots of Characters in Our Passwords</h3>
Nearly 60% of Americans used passwords with just eight characters or fewer in 2024. But it gets worse. One-third of Americans used passwords with seven characters or fewer. (Just over 10 percent used <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password" target="_blank" rel="noopener">longer, stronger passwords</a>&nbsp;of 12 characters or more.)&nbsp;
What's the deal with length? In short, the longer the password is, the more difficult it is to crack. A six-character password can be cracked in minutes to hours, an 8-character password can be cracked in days to weeks of concentrated attempts, whereas it would take years to crack a 12-character password with even the most advanced tools available.&nbsp;
<h2 id="improveyour">Improve Your Password Security</h2>
Now that more of us are working from home, the need for password security has never been greater. Not all the passwords on this list are bad, but there's no excuse for using fewer than twelve characters and sharing passwords with no protection. Plus, many of the passwords listed above are predictable, making it easier for hackers to guess them. Here are some pro-tips:
<ul>
<li>Longer passwords are stronger passwords - aim for at least 12 characters!</li>
<li>Use a combination of numbers, letters, and special characters.</li>
<li>And, perhaps, most importantly, use a password manager like&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TeamPassword</a>.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Twenty-two percent of Americans don't employ any specific measures for password safety! Don't be one of them. TeamPassword is a simple and effective way to store and share passwords and team logins so you can keep business projects moving and protect your assets.&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to get TeamPassword</a>.&nbsp;

A Year in Numbers, Letters, and Special Characters. Find out the best and worst password trends and statistics of 2024.

A Year in Numbers, Letters, and Special Characters, so none of the mistakes on this list are as ...

2024 Password Statistics and Trends

A Year in Numbers, Letters, and Special Characters, so none of the mistakes on this list are as ridiculous as using "123456" or "Password" (believe us, plenty of people still use these), but Americans made common password security mistakes in 2024.

Discover the pros and cons of open-source and closed-source password managers. Learn which suits your security, budget, and technical needs.

Compare open-source and closed-source password managers to find the best fit for your needs. Open-source offers transparency and ...

Open-Source vs. Closed-Source Password Managers Guide

Compare open-source and closed-source password managers to find the best fit for your needs. Open-source offers transparency and customization, while closed-source provides ease of use and professional support. Discover the pros and cons to make an informed decision.

Open-Source vs. Closed-Source Password Managers: Which is Right for You?

Did you know that in 2024, over 100,000 people still use "123456" as their password? It's shocking but true! This simple password leaves their online accounts wide open to hackers.
Even though we hear about data breaches and online theft all the time, many people still choose easy-to-guess passwords. They choose convenience over safety. This puts their personal information at risk. And, if they use weak passwords for work accounts, their employer&rsquo;s data is in jeopardy too.
In this blog post, we'll look at the worst passwords of 2024. We'll see why people keep using them and learn how to make stronger passwords. Get ready to be surprised by how simple some of these passwords are!
By the end of this article, you'll understand why good passwords matter and how to protect yourself online. Let's dive in and explore the world of bad passwords!
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#worst" rel="follow">Worst passwords of 2024</a></li>
<li><a href="#badpw" rel="follow">What makes a bad password?</a></li>
<li><a href="#goodpw" rel="follow">What makes a good password?</a></li>
<li><a href="#tipstoimprove" rel="follow">Tips to improve password security</a></li>
</ul>
Protect your team&rsquo;s critical accounts with <a href="https://teampassword.com/">TeamPassword</a>, the easiest password manager on the market. Sign up today for a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup">free 14-day trial</a> and experience the peace of mind that comes with proper password security.
<h2 id="worst">Worst Passwords of 2024</h2>
Without further ado, here is a list of 50 of the worst passwords of 2024:
1. 123456
2. password
3. 12345
4. 12345678
5. qwerty
6. 123456789
7. 1234
8. 111111
9. 1234567
10. abc123
11. iloveyou
12. admin
13. welcome
14. monkey
15. login
16. qwerty123
17. dragon
18. master
19. sunshine
20. ashley
21. bailey
22. passw0rd
23. shadow
24. 123123
25. 654321
26. superman
27. qazwsx
28. michael
29. football
30. baseball
31. princess
32. 123456a
33. 1q2w3e
34. letmein
35. trustno1
36. 666666
37. qwerty1
38. 1234567890
39. 123qwe
40. zxcvbnm
41. 000000
42. 1q2w3e4r
43. password1
44. 1234qwer
45. 123321
46. qwertyuiop
47. 987654321
48. myspace1
49. fuckyou
50. 123abc

This list is compiled from the most frequently used and easily guessable <a href="https://github.com/HaveIBeenPwned/PwnedPasswordsDownloader" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">passwords found in data breaches and dark web listings</a>.&nbsp;
It's important to note that using any of these passwords puts your accounts at significant risk of being hacked. To improve your online security, use unique, complex passwords for each account and consider using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-a-password-manager">password manager</a> to help generate and store secure passwords.
To secure your team's passwords and streamline your password management process, <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup">try TeamPassword's free 14-day trial</a>. With advanced encryption, secure sharing features, and an easy-to-use interface, TeamPassword offers a robust solution for businesses of all sizes. Sign up today and experience the peace of mind that comes with proper password security.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/fFmDQUT2Q8kzdNIeNKBA" alt="A lock and ripped piece of paper with &quot;My Password 123456&quot; are laying on top of a black keyboard" width="600" height="400">
<h2 id="badpw">What Makes a Bad Password?</h2>
Passwords play a crucial role in securing our digital presence, but not all passwords offer the same level of protection. When it comes to protecting your online accounts, understanding what makes a bad password is key to strengthening your defenses against cyber threats.
<h3>Simple</h3>
One of the primary characteristics of a bad password is simplicity. Passwords that rely on basic sequences like "123456" or "abcdef" are easily guessed by automated programs used by hackers. Avoid using sequential numbers or letters, as they provide little resistance to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-a-brute-force-attack-and-are-you-at-risk">brute-force attacks</a>.
<h3>Common</h3>
Another red flag for weak passwords is their commonality. Frequently used passwords such as "password" or "qwerty" are among the first choices attempted by cybercriminals. By opting for popular passwords, you inadvertently make it easier for malicious actors to breach your accounts.
<h3>Personal Information&nbsp;</h3>
Using personal information like your name, birthdate, or address as part of your password poses a significant security risk. Hackers can gather this data from social media profiles or public records, making it relatively simple for them to crack your password and access sensitive information. Avoid incorporating easily accessible personal details into your passwords.
To keep your online accounts safe, it's important to avoid using easy-to-guess passwords. Passwords that are short, common words, or based on personal information are not secure. Instead, you should use passwords that are long (at least 12 characters) and complex, with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.&nbsp;
The strength of your password is key to protecting your digital information from hackers and cybercriminals.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/Wgi5TNjgSdawuyVmZHDO" alt="A lock and ripped piece of paper with &quot;My Password 123456&quot; crossed out and &quot;edWc!;8pte&quot; written in black are laying on top of a white keyboard" width="600" height="400">
<h2 id="goodpw">What Makes a Good Password?</h2>
Having <a href="https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a strong password is crucial</a> in safeguarding your online accounts against potential cyber threats. The characteristics that make a good password are complexity, length, and unpredictability.
<h3>Complexity</h3>
A good password should be complex, combining a variety of characters such as uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. Avoid using simple phrases or sequential patterns that are easy to guess. For example, "P@ssw0rd!" is a stronger password than "password123."
<h3>Length</h3>
The length of a password plays a significant role in its strength. <a href="https://dev.to/leading-edje/why-password-length-matters-g17" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Longer passwords are generally more secure</a> as they provide a larger combination of characters, making them harder to crack through brute-force attacks. To enhance security, aim for a minimum of 12 characters in your passwords, but the longer, the better!
<h3>Unpredictability</h3>
A good password should be unpredictable, meaning it should not contain easily accessible personal information like birthdays, family members' names, or common words related to your interests. These things can often easily be found on individual&rsquo;s social media accounts. Each password you use should also be unique, meaning that you haven&rsquo;t used it before. Creating a password that is unique and unrelated to your personal life adds a crucial extra layer of protection.
By incorporating these elements of complexity, length, and unpredictability into your passwords, you can significantly improve the security of your online accounts and reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Remember, a strong password is your first line of defense in the digital world.

<h2 id="tipstoimprove"><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/CpRvqT3CTu6PmYVr8N7u" alt="White images including a lock with &quot;confidential data&quot; written beneath it, folders, a finger print scan, profile of a person, and fields with personal data is in front of a blue grid background with a faint globe" width="600" height="400"></h2>
<h2>Tips to Improve Password Security</h2>
Ensuring <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-password-management">strong password security</a> is paramount in today's digital landscape, where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. By implementing the following tips, you can significantly enhance your online security posture:
<h3>Use a Password Manager</h3>
One of the most effective ways to manage multiple complex passwords is by using a password manager. These tools securely store all your passwords in an encrypted vault, requiring you to only remember one master password. Password managers also generate strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts, reducing the risk of a data breach if one account is compromised.
<h3>Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</h3>
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password. With 2FA, users must provide a second form of verification, such as a code sent to their smartphone or biometric data, before gaining access to their accounts. This additional step significantly reduces the chances of unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised.
<h3>Regularly Update Your Passwords</h3>
Frequent password changes are crucial to keeping your accounts safe. <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-often-should-you-change-your-password-the-importance-of-password-safety">Regularly updating your passwords</a> helps mitigate the risk of old passwords being exposed in data breaches or through phishing attacks. Aim to change your passwords at least every three to six months, especially for sensitive accounts like banking or email.
By building these best practices into your password security strategy, you can strengthen your defenses against cyber threats and protect your valuable information. Remember, proactive measures today can prevent potential security headaches tomorrow.

<h2>Protect Your Online Life With Strong Passwords</h2>
In today's digital landscape, the importance of strong password security cannot be overstated. The annual list of worst passwords serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities present in online accounts. Understanding what makes a good password - complexity, length, and unpredictability - is crucial for strengthening digital defenses. By contrast, weak passwords that are simple, common, or based on personal information pose significant risks. To stay safe online, it's important to use a password manager, turn on two-factor authentication, and change your passwords regularly. These steps can help protect you from hackers and other online dangers.
We all need to be careful about our online safety, especially when it comes to passwords. A strong password is like a strong lock on your front door - it keeps the bad guys out. It's important to stay alert and learn about new ways to stay safe online. The internet can be dangerous, but if we're careful, we can protect ourselves and others. Your online safety is worth the extra effort.&nbsp;
Ready to protect your team? Sign up for a free 14-day trial today and sleep easy knowing your organization&rsquo;s data is safe. TeamPassword is more than just a security tool that stores login details and other sensitive information, it&rsquo;s also a productivity tool giving your team the access they need, when they need it. Take the first step towards stronger password security and easier password management - <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup">try TeamPassword now</a>.

Even in 2024, over 100,000 people use "123456" as their password. Learn why strong passwords matter and how to create them.

Even in 2024, over 100,000 people use "123456" as their password. Learn why strong passwords matter and how ...

50 Worst Passwords of 2024 & Tips for Better Passwords

The Worst Passwords of 2024 and Tips for Better Password Security

This guide was updated in July 2024 with new screenshots and instructions to reflect Google's significant update to their password manager.
Remembering passwords is hard. Chances are, you&rsquo;ve taken Chrome up on its offer to remember them for you. However, you may not know how many passwords Chrome has saved or how to delete them if you&rsquo;re switching to a dedicated password manager.
In this guide, you&rsquo;ll learn where to find your saved passwords in Chrome and how to view, delete, edit, and export them.&nbsp;
Table of Contents:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet"><a href="#howtoviewsavedpasswordsonchrome" rel="follow">How to View Saved Passwords on Chrome</a></li>
<ol>
<li data-gc-list-depth="2" data-gc-list-style="ordered"><a href="#navigateto" rel="follow">Navigate to Google Chrome Settings</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="2" data-gc-list-style="ordered"><a href="#openthe" rel="follow">View and Edit Saved Passwords</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="2" data-gc-list-style="ordered"><a href="#viewsaved" rel="follow">View Settings for Google Password Manager</a></li>
</ol>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet"><a href="#howtochangeasavedpasswordinchrome" rel="follow">How to Change a Saved Password in Chrome</a></li>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="2" data-gc-list-style="bullet"><a href="#tipsforselecting" rel="follow">Tips for Selecting a Secure Password</a></li>
</ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet"><a href="#shouldyouusechromespasswordmanager" rel="follow">Should You Use Chrome's Password Manager?</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet"><a href="#chromesavedpasswordsFAQs" rel="follow">Chrome Saved Passwords FAQs</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="howtoviewsavedpasswordsonchrome">How to View Saved Passwords on Chrome</h2>
<h3 id="navigateto">#1. Navigate to Google Password Manager</h3>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/aN3JV1WPQQSRxkI98e8O" alt="undefined" width="473" height="572">
<ol>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Open Chrome and click the&nbsp;three-dot symbol in the top right</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hover on Passwords and Autofill</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Click&nbsp;Google Password Manager</li>
</ol>
<h3 id="openthe">#2. View and Edit Saved Passwords</h3>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/GbcJMAxGSauAeSDNAOxp" alt="undefined" width="818" height="150">
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/VwerTEjZSce8z3zAbINx" alt="undefined" width="568" height="295">
In the Passwords tab, you'll see a list of all your passwords.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Click a password to view it</li>
<li>You may be required to unlock your device to view the password</li>
<li>Click Edit to modify the password</li>
</ul>

<h3 id="viewsaved">#3. View Settings for Google Password Manager</h3>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/kok0MHaUQu6ThxpfFXwV" alt="undefined" width="564" height="362">
On this screen, you&rsquo;re presented with several important options including:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Choose whether Chrome offers to save your passwords</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Export/Import passwords</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="howtochangeasavedpasswordinchrome">How to Change a Saved Password in Chrome</h2>
<ol>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Open Chrome and click the&nbsp;three-dot symbol in the top right</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hover on Passwords and Autofill</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Click&nbsp;Google Password Manager</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">In the Passwords tab, click the password you wish to edit and click the&nbsp;Edit button</li>
</ol>
<ol></ol>
Make sure any changes you make to the password match the actual password for the account. For example, changing your Netflix password here does not automatically update your actual Netflix password.&nbsp;
<h3 id="tipsforselecting">Tips for Selecting a Secure Password</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Use a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password generator</a> to create a 14+ character password that includes a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">If you create a password or passphrase for the purpose of remembering it, don&rsquo;t use personal identifying information.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="shouldyouusechromespasswordmanager">Should You Use Chrome's Password Manager?</h2>
If Chrome is the only browser you use across all your devices, and you never need to share your passwords with family or colleagues, then Chrome&rsquo;s native password saver is a solid option.&nbsp;
Chrome has made strides to improve its security, such as with the option to enable <a href="https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/11350823" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">on-device encryption</a>.&nbsp;
However, if you use another browser such as Safari, need to share passwords, or require more control over your passwords, you&rsquo;ll want a dedicated password manager.
<h3>A Better Alternative: TeamPassword</h3>
TeamPassword provides a quick, secure, and effortless solution to store and organize your passwords, eliminating any potential vulnerabilities associated with Chrome's password security.&nbsp;
You can generate and tailor robust passwords that are compatible with any browser or device and access them anytime, anywhere. TeamPassword <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">ensures the safety of your passwords</a>, even in the event of device theft, by requiring a separate "master" password to access them. Additionally, it automatically locks your passwords after a specific duration, providing an extra layer of security.&nbsp;
While password managers are marginally less convenient than Chrome's built-in features, they offer significantly more security.&nbsp;
TeamPassword's Chrome extension autofills most websites and displays your record information from a dropdown without the need to navigate to a separate page.
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/j6RfmBVgO1N1HmV2T5LicU-GRsWpYMogxjDNGVJBn9JTWI7jXw4ydYGqrQFoa9ugeRqACbOH_JO3LiAXPgxs0ldT1BrkUe_bmgU413k3gVJ9txg52ZCLiIjWdkXT8xruV5zahVXXmVq-pc1LAFyBfAc" width="479" height="334">
<h2>Try TeamPassword's Password Manager Today</h2>
You&rsquo;ve learned how to use your Chrome password manager, and now know if it&rsquo;s still right for you.&nbsp;
Need to share passwords with a team? Try our <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">no-risk 14 day trial</a>, and get a secure, convenient password manager that puts control of your passwords in your hands.
<h2 id="chromesavedpasswordsFAQs">Chrome Saved Passwords FAQs</h2>
<h3>Why Can't I See My Saved Passwords in Chrome?</h3>
If you can&rsquo;t see any saved passwords following the above steps, check if you&rsquo;re signed into the correct Google account.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Click on the circular icon at the top right of your browser. This might be your profile picture or a generic picture.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">If the email it shows is not the one you want to be signed into, you can Add another account or Sign out of all accounts.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
You might not be signed in at all!&nbsp;
Also, check if &ldquo;Offer to save passwords&rdquo; is toggled on. If not, it might be the case that Chrome simply hasn&rsquo;t been saving your passwords.
<h3>How Do I Add a Saved Password in Chrome?</h3>
<h3><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/0mZYZ4FRiOLu2ynQSwgx" alt="undefined" width="627" height="115">&nbsp;</h3>
<ol>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Open Chrome</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Click the three-dot symbol &gt; Passwords and Autofill &gt; Google Password Manager</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Above where your passwords are listed, click Add, and enter the URL, username, and password.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Learn how to view saved passwords in Google Password Manager on Chrome with this simple guide. See step-by-step instructions for the Google Chrome web browser.

Learn how to view saved passwords in the Google Password Manager on Chrome with this simple guide. See ...

How to View Saved Passwords on Chrome

Learn how to view saved passwords in the Google Password Manager on Chrome with this simple guide. See step-by-step instructions for the Google Chrome web browser.

Password managers are critical software for any organization. Without secure accounts and a way to share them, businesses open themselves up to myriad cybersecurity threats. They are also likely spending more on their software stack than they need to.&nbsp;

Here&rsquo;s how to get the most out of your password manager so you can reap all the benefits: enhanced security, better collaboration, and lower software expenses.

[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#whatis" rel="follow">What is password manager software?</a></li>
<li><a href="#whydo" rel="follow">Why do businesses use password manager software?</a><a href="#ensurecybersecurity" rel="follow"></a></li>
<li><a href="#bestpractices" rel="follow">6 password manager best practices</a><a href="#passphrase" rel="follow"></a></li>
<li><a href="#getmost" rel="follow">Get the most of your password manager software</a></li>
</ul>

TeamPassword is the best password manager for nonprofits. 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.

<h2 id="whatis">What is password manager software?</h2>
Simply put, password manager software makes it easy for individuals and companies to follow the password management best practices they know they should, but would be way too difficult without help.&nbsp;
For example, people know that they need strong, random, and unique passwords for each account. However, with the average employee accessing over 200 different accounts to do their job, it would be impossible to remember all of those passwords.&nbsp;
So, most people don&rsquo;t do that. They either reuse the same password, use simple passwords, or they write down all of their passwords in a notebook (or worse, a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/password-sheet-templates">Google Sheet password list</a>).&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/ycofmMxPQD8CQ1Cmzabg" alt="Five office workers collaborating around a table while seamlessly accessing accounts on different devices." width="600" height="400">

<h2 id="whydo">Why do businesses use password manager software?</h2>
Businesses use password manager software for a variety of reasons. Here are three of the main ones:
<ol>
<li>
Ensure cybersecurity best practices are being followed.&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Facilitate more collaboration.
</li>
<li>
Maintain SOC security compliance.
</li>
</ol>

<h3 id="ensurecybersecurity">Ensure cybersecurity best practices are being followed</h3>
We&rsquo;ll go through the password manager software best practices in detail below. However, as mentioned above, there are many cybersecurity best practices. Employees already know them, understand their importance, and want to follow them.&nbsp;
However, it&rsquo;s just not practical to do so without a password manager. If you&rsquo;ve ever forgotten someone&rsquo;s name, you understand this implicitly. If you can&rsquo;t remember John&rsquo;s name, how could you be expected to remember your HR software&rsquo;s password when it is 16 random alphanumeric characters?
Setting up an employee&rsquo;s password manager software allows them to use a strong, random, and unique password for each account. That way, if a breach were to happen the effects are minimal.&nbsp;

<h3 id="facilitatecollaboration">Facilitate more collaboration</h3>
While cybersecurity is usually the reason businesses onboard password manager software, there are many added benefits. TeamPassword is the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/best-password-managers-for-teams">best password manager for teams</a>.&nbsp;
By allowing your employees to share accounts without passwords, everyone has access to the software they need to get the job done without creating security risks. By sharing accounts, you can reduce the number of licenses your business requires, which can fully offset the cost of the password manager software.

<h3 id="maintaincompliance">Maintain SOC security compliance</h3>
System and Organization Control (SOC) maintains several security designation types. <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/password-security-compliance">SOC Type I/II compliance requires strong password management controls.</a>&nbsp;
If you aren&rsquo;t using a password manager, whether your security audit uncovers this or not, then you are at risk of being liable for data theft occurrences if a compromised account leads to your customers&rsquo; data being stolen.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/r9ugLTQhuYl5O1uLjMAt" alt="A person in a business suit holding their phone receiving an MFA code while sitting in front of their computer." width="600" height="400">
<h2 id="bestpractices">6 password manager best practices</h2>
Password managers help businesses and individuals stay safe online. However, to help this software keep you secure, it&rsquo;s important to follow certain best practices.
Here are some common password manager software best practices:
<ol>
<li>
Use a complicated passphrase as your master password.
</li>
<li>
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
</li>
<li>
Let the password manager software choose random, unique passwords for you.
</li>
<li>
Share accounts, not passwords.
</li>
<li>
Be skeptical online.&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Audit your password manager regularly.
</li>
</ol>

<h3 id="passphrase">1. Use a complicated passphrase as your master password</h3>
A <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/master-password-what-is-it-and-do-i-need-one">master password</a> is the single password you need to remember when utilizing password management software. It unlocks your account, which stores all of your other passwords.&nbsp;
Since this password provides access to all of your accounts, it should be as strong as possible. One way to ramp up the strength of your master password without making it more difficult to remember is using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-a-passphrase">passphrase</a>. A passphrase is a collection of three or four words that are combined to make a very long password.

<h3 id="mfa">2. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)</h3>
Whether the software you use offers multi-factor or two-factor authentication (<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2fa-vs-mfa">MFA vs. 2FA</a>), it&rsquo;s important to activate this option. MFA provides a very strong second layer of security to your accounts. While it can seem like added friction in your day, you should always activate MFA/2FA when it is available!

<h3 id="random">3. Let the password manager software choose random, unique passwords for you</h3>
TeamPassword&rsquo;s <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/strong-password-generator">password generator</a> will automatically generate strong, random passwords for you. By letting the password manager software generate passwords for you, you guarantee that every password is as strong as possible. It&rsquo;s also easier and faster than thinking of a new password on your own.

<h3 id="shareaccounts">4. Share accounts, not passwords</h3>
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-safely-share-passwords-with-coworkers">TeamPassword makes it easy to share your accounts without sharing passwords.</a> This is the only safe and secure way to do so. You should never share passwords directly! This gives the person you&rsquo;ve shared the password with unlimited access to your account so long as the password remains the same.&nbsp;
If someone leaves the company or changes positions, they still have access. Worse still, if you reuse the password, they could gain access to other accounts which were meant to remain private.&nbsp;

<h3 id="beskeptical">5. Be skeptical online&nbsp;</h3>
Password manager software can help you stay safe online. However, the Internet is filled with scammers looking to gain access to your accounts. <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/spear-phishing">Phishing</a> is perhaps the most common risk. That&rsquo;s when scammers send emails that mimic legitimate ones in hopes you will enter login credentials on their spoofed homepage.&nbsp;
If you thought you were safer when using a phone, think again. <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/smishing">Smishing</a> is the SMS version of phishing and is quickly becoming the single biggest vector for cyberthreats.&nbsp;
Looking at the sender&rsquo;s address, checking the URL (and not just the text shown on screen) before clicking on links, and confirming information over the phone (the actual phone number and not the one in the phishing message) are some basic email/SMS security best practices.&nbsp;
Generally assuming everything is a scam is a great security posture when operating online. If something is unexpected, too good to be true, or feels off in any way, it probably is a scam.&nbsp;
Maintaining this mindset is as important as any tool, including password manager software, in keeping you and your business safe.

<h3 id="auditpm">6. Audit your password manager regularly</h3>
Even when using strong, random, and unique passwords, they can be compromised. If a company is hacked, your credentials might be released on the dark web. Thankfully, since you haven&rsquo;t reused the information, the threat is isolated. In this case, you simply need to change one password and continue on with your work.&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s the first reason to audit your password manager account regularly. There are others, and most of them come down to HR issues.&nbsp;
First, some employees might leave the company, by choice or otherwise. In this case, you should be removing their access to your password manager software immediately. However, lapses occur, especially when employees give notice and leave amicably. Auditing all credentials monthly allows you to catch anything that slips through the cracks.&nbsp;
Similarly, employees change positions frequently and while companies are quick to give them access to the new accounts they need, they might not be as fast to limit access to ones they no longer require. These accounts could have private information, and it is a SOC principle to allow as limited a number of people access as possible. If there is a cost associated with the user, then it&rsquo;s also good for the bottom line to revoke their access in a timely manner.&nbsp;
Finally, in a similar thought to the bottom line, you can review who has (or hasn&rsquo;t) accessed software recently. If you noticed no employees have accessed a subscription recently, it might be time to download all of your data and cancel the account. If only a few people are accessing the account, you might be able to downgrade to a lower subscription tier.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/1XsSDPSmTZChQjhBKiEc" alt="An office worker wearing glasses smiling at the camera while sitting in front of two computer screens happy that he uses a password manager." width="600" height="400">
<h2 id="getmost">Get the most out of your password manager software</h2>
Password management is a critical component of cybersecurity. Without password manager software, you are telling your employees to do something that the human brain just can&rsquo;t handle&mdash;remember hundreds of random passwords.&nbsp;
However, the right password manager does more than just store passwords. It enables teams to collaborate and can even save you money.&nbsp;
TeamPassword is the best password manager software. 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.

Password manager software is a critical part of your cybersecurity system. It can also promote collaboration and reduce costs. Here’s how.

Password manager software is a critical component of your cybersecurity system. It can also promote collaboration and reduce ...

Password Manager Software: What It Is and Why You Need It

Password manager software is a critical component of your cybersecurity system. It can also promote collaboration and reduce costs. Here’s how.

Passwords are a fact of life in the digital age.&nbsp;
We all know <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/variety-is-the-spice-of-life-and-the-key-to-security" style="color: #40d8e3;">the perils of using one password</a> for all our accounts. (It&rsquo;s basically like unlocking every room and safe in your house and then leaving the front door wide open.) However, creating unique and strong passwords for every account can be overwhelming.&nbsp;
Third-party password managers are a safe choice. Internet browsers are another popular option. Chrome is an internet browser that Google created and released in 2008. Initially designed for Windows XP, Chrome is now compatible with any platform, including Macs, PCs, and all types of mobile devices. With its sleek interface and robust performance, Chrome quickly became the browser of choice for millions worldwide.
In 2022, Chrome dominated the global desktop web browser game, claiming nearly 70 percent of the market share. Its popularity is mainly due to its ease of use and customization options, such as extensions for ad blockers, language translators, etc. Chrome&rsquo;s versatility and seamless integration with Google&rsquo;s suite of services make it a convenient choice for users who rely on multiple Google products. Additionally, Chrome&rsquo;s frequent updates and security patches help maintain a secure browsing environment.
Google Chrome has made it easy to save and store your passwords in your browser, so you never have to remember them or type them in manually. Plus, it&rsquo;s free and already at your fingertips. The convenience of Chrome&rsquo;s password manager is undeniable, as it simplifies the login process across devices and platforms. However, this convenience comes with certain limitations that users must consider.
But is this method of storing your passwords secure? Here is all you need to know about Chrome password safety.&nbsp;
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#isgooglepasswordmanagersafe" rel="follow">Is Google Password Manager Safe?</a></li>
<li><a href="#cangooglepasswordmanagerbehacked" rel="follow">Can Google Password Manager Be Hacked?&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="#howdoeschromecreateandstorepasswords" rel="follow">How Does Google Create and Store Passwords?</a></li>
<li><a href="#isadedicatedpasswordmanagerworthit" rel="follow">Is a Dedicated Password Manager Worth It?&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="#analternativewithoutgooglespasswordsecurityissues" rel="follow">An Alternative Without Google's Password Security Issues</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="isgooglepasswordmanagersafe">Is Google Password Manager Safe?</h2>
While better than having no password manager, Google Password Manager's security leaves much to be desired. They have unclear security standards and the overall security of your passwords is tied to your account and device security far too closely.&nbsp;
The reason dedicated third-party password managers typically cannot reset your master password or require additional device-based authentication to do so is because they do not store your master password or have an alternative way to authenticate your account.&nbsp;
Google, on the other hand, has full access to your Google account (which you need to use their password manager), and so in theory can view your passwords and of course reset your account password when needed (or if tricked by a threat actor).&nbsp;
Dedicated password managers usually use <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Client-side_encryption" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">client-side encryption</a> and so-called "zero-knowledge architecture" to ensure that your passwords remain encrypted without the master password.&nbsp;
Google promises no such security for their password manager.&nbsp;
Chrome has made improvements to their password manager: you can lock it with a biometric passkey, share passwords with family members, and sync across multiple devices by accessing password.google.com. Previously, you could only access them through Chrome, and not everyone wants to use the Chrome browser.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/3V8zOSQ6Q1iNrtyPoo6P" alt="Chrome password manager interface" width="591" height="225">
Google Password Manager's safety will never be on par with what a dedicated password manager can offer. Dedicated password managers are designed with a focus on security, incorporating features like end-to-end encryption, biometric logins, and zero-knowledge architecture, where even the service provider cannot access your stored passwords. These specialized tools are built to withstand sophisticated cyberattacks and provide users with granular control over their password security.
It&rsquo;s like the difference between buying a croissant from your local coffee shop and buying a croissant from a patisserie owned by a baker trained in France. Specialization produces a superior product, whether it&rsquo;s pastries or password managers. A dedicated password manager not only generates strong passwords but also regularly audits them for potential vulnerabilities, alerts users to breaches, and provides secure storage for sensitive information like credit card details and personal identification numbers.
But Chrome&rsquo;s password security issues go deeper. The lack of advanced features and the potential for unauthorized access make Chrome&rsquo;s password manager a less secure option. Users must weigh the trade-off between convenience and security carefully. While Chrome&rsquo;s password manager offers a quick and easy way to store passwords, it lacks the comprehensive protection that a dedicated manager can provide. As cyber threats continue to evolve, relying on a robust and specialized password management tool becomes essential to safeguarding one&rsquo;s digital identity.
<h2 id="cangooglepasswordmanagerbehacked">Can Google Password Manager Be Hacked?</h2>
We saved the biggest problem with Chrome password safety for last.&nbsp;
When you use Chrome passwords, or any browser-based password manager for that matter, getting access to your accounts is as simple as gaining access to your device.&nbsp;
Anyone who lays hands on your device at the office, the cafe, or the subway (if you accidentally leave your briefcase behind) can access every account you have saved in Chrome passwords.&nbsp;
This leaves you wide open to being hacked. Furthermore, someone with access to your Google Account could reset your primary password and lock you out of your own vault.&nbsp;
Most of us sync our Chrome accounts across devices. It&rsquo;s easy to forget which devices have access. Check that <a href="https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3067630?hl=en" style="color: #40d8e3;" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;
A <a href="https://teampassword.com/" style="color: #40d8e3;">dedicated password manager</a> protects you by requiring you to log in with a separate &ldquo;master&rdquo; password. It automatically locks your passwords after a specific amount of time has passed.&nbsp;
<h2 id="howdoeschromecreateandstorepasswords">How Does Google Chrome Password Manager Create and Store Passwords?</h2>
The convenience of Google Chrome is what hooks most users. It's free and doesn't require installation.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s how it works. The first time you enter a password on a new website, Chrome will send a prompt that asks if you want to save it. You can choose to Save, Never, or ignore the prompt.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/9ap7QrePRexD7BPrPvFs" width="320" height="295" alt="Chrome's prompt to save your username and password">
For many people, that little pop-up is a welcome sight. They click &ldquo;Save&rdquo; and sigh in relief that they don&rsquo;t have to commit the password to memory or record it somewhere, which can make it vulnerable to loss or theft.&nbsp;
However, the relief they feel is somewhat misplaced.&nbsp;
<h2 id="isadedicatedpasswordmanagerworthit">Is a Dedicated Password Manager Worth It?&nbsp;</h2>
This is a choice that only you can make. Consider the following scenario if you&rsquo;re unsure about disabling Chrome passwords and switching to a dedicated password manager.&nbsp;
Imagine what would happen if your passwords were compromised. You wake up one day, and without warning, you can no longer access your email (your personal and work accounts), your online banking, your usual online shopping sites, your stored cloud data, or your social media accounts. Everything is locked away and out of your reach.&nbsp;
Or worse, <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/have-i-been-hacked-how-to-know-for-sure" style="color: #40d8e3;">you don&rsquo;t know you&rsquo;ve been hacked</a> until later when you get a huge credit card bill or something else that reveals someone stole your identity.&nbsp;
This would be a life-altering event, wouldn&rsquo;t it? Trying to undo the consequences would be extremely costly in time and money.&nbsp;
A password manager can prevent this kind of upheaval from happening to you. And while password managers aren&rsquo;t free like Google Chrome, they are well worth the investment.&nbsp;
<h2 id="analternativewithoutgooglespasswordsecurityissues">An Alternative Without Google's Password Security Issues</h2>
<a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a> offers a fast, safe, and easy solution for storing and managing your passwords that doesn&rsquo;t leave you vulnerable to Chrome password security issues. Another plus is that TeamPassword has a Chrome extension that holds all your personal and company login information. And even if someone has access to your device, they cannot get through to your TeamPassword account without knowing your master password and having access to your <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2fa-vs-mfa" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">2FA</a> authenticator.&nbsp;
TeamPassword is an app dedicated to cybersecurity. Passwords aren&rsquo;t just an extra feature; it&rsquo;s all we do.&nbsp;
An additional feature is our <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" style="color: #40d8e3;" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password generator</a> and password strength tester. Our customizable password generator is the way to go if you are stuck trying to create a password. You could also test to see if your current passwords are secure. It&rsquo;ll also give you an estimate of how long it&rsquo;ll take to be hacked.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/U5f1HACnQ02Us7NjHlMT" width="796" height="264">
Create and customize strong passwords you can use with any browser or device, and access all your passwords whenever and wherever you need them.&nbsp;
With TeamPassword, your passwords are secure, even if your device falls into the wrong hands. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Try TeamPassword free for 14 days</a>.&nbsp;
With all that being said, while using the Chrome password manager seems more convenient, it&rsquo;s not the most secure way to hold your passwords.&nbsp;

Is Google's Password Manager for Chrome really safe? Learn about the Google password security issues you need to know to protect yourself and your privacy.

Are Chrome passwords really safe? Learn about the Chrome password security issues you need to know to protect ...

Is Google Password Manager Safe? (Updated for 2024)

Are Chrome passwords really safe? Learn about the Chrome password security issues you need to know to protect yourself and your privacy.

Alright, let's get this out of the way first. Need a strong, secure Wi-Fi password? Don't reinvent the wheel. Head over to <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">https://teampassword.com/password-generator</a> and crank out a random password that'd make a cybercriminal cry.
Now, back to the real conversation: how to make your Wi-Fi password both secure and, dare I say,&nbsp;usable.
<h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:52">Passphrases: The "Strong, But Not Cryptic" Option</h2>
Memorizing a string of gibberish like "j#42F7%U&amp;" is a recipe for frustration. That's where <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-build-a-passphrase" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">passphrases</a> come in. These are essentially multi-word passwords that combine dictionary words with symbols and numbers. Think of it like a super-powered sentence for your Wi-Fi network.
Here's why passphrases are a great option for Wi-Fi passwords:
<ul data-sourcepos="11:1-14:0">
<li data-sourcepos="11:1-11:192">Stronger than single words: While a single dictionary word is easily cracked by brute force attacks, throwing in a few extra words makes things exponentially more difficult for hackers.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="12:1-12:219">Easier to remember: Let's be honest, "CorrectHorseBatteryStaple" is way easier to recall than a random mix of letters and numbers. Plus, it becomes a fun little party trick when guests ask for the Wi-Fi password.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="13:1-14:0">More adaptable: Need a password for your guest network? Throw in "Guest_" at the beginning of your passphrase. Boom, instant guest network password that's both secure and distinct from your main network.</li>
</ul>
Here are some tips for creating strong passphrases:
<ul data-sourcepos="17:1-20:0">
<li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:129">Use at least 4 words: The more words, the better. Aim for a minimum of 4 words to make brute-forcing significantly harder.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:154">Combine word types: Mix up noun verbs, adjectives, and adverbs to create a more complex passphrase. "PurpleSkiesOverFridayNight" is a good example.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="19:1-20:0">Include symbols and numbers: To further increase entropy, we recommend adding symbols and numbers to your passphrase. You can replace letters with them or use them as "spaces" in between your words.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-sourcepos="21:1-21:64">Using QR Codes for Wi-Fi Access</h2>
Typing in a complex Wi-Fi password on a tiny phone screen can be a nightmare. Enter the magic of QR codes. These little square barcodes can store information, including your Wi-Fi network details. Here's how to use them to breeze through Wi-Fi connection on both Android and iPhone:
Android:
<ol data-sourcepos="27:1-33:0">
<li data-sourcepos="27:1-27:26">Open your Settings app.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="28:1-28:82">Navigate to "Network &amp; internet" or "Connections" depending on your device.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:18">Tap on "Wi-Fi".</li>
<li data-sourcepos="30:1-30:62">Find your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and tap and hold on it.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:39">Select "Share" from the pop-up menu.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="32:1-33:0">You'll see a QR code generated with your Wi-Fi network information encoded.</li>
</ol>
You can screenshot this for easy access later if you want.
iPhone:
<ol data-sourcepos="36:1-41:0">
<li data-sourcepos="36:1-36:25">Open the Settings app.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="37:1-37:18">Tap on "Wi-Fi".</li>
<li data-sourcepos="38:1-38:77">Find your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and tap the small "i" icon next to it.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="39:1-39:78">Under "Password", you'll see a QR code icon appear to the right. Tap on it.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="40:1-41:0">Your iPhone will display a QR code containing your Wi-Fi network details.</li>
</ol>
If your guest also has an Apple device, you can <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/102635" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">share the WiFi password over Bluetooth</a>.&nbsp;
Now, when your tech-challenged houseguests arrive, simply whip out your phone and display the QR code. Their devices will automatically scan the code and connect to your Wi-Fi network &ndash; no more fumbling with cryptic passwords.&nbsp;
<h2 data-sourcepos="1:1-1:47">The Password Manager Advantage: Beyond Wi-Fi</h2>
While a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-do-password-managers-work" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password manager</a> excels at keeping your Wi-Fi network secure, its benefits extend far beyond your home network. Here's how a password manager can streamline your entire digital life:
<ul data-sourcepos="5:1-5:113">
<li data-sourcepos="5:1-5:113">Universal Password Management: From social media accounts to online banking and shopping sites, a password manager can securely store login credentials for all your online ventures. No more racking your brain trying to remember that password you used for that obscure travel booking website three years ago.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="6:1-6:170">Automatic Form Filling: Tired of typing in the same login information over and over again? Password managers can auto-fill login forms on websites and apps, saving you precious time and frustration.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:305">Strong Password Everywhere: Let's face it, creating strong, unique passwords for every single online account can feel like a daunting task. Password managers can generate complex, random passwords for all your accounts, eliminating the temptation to reuse weak passwords across different platforms.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:193">Secure Password Sharing: Need to share a login credential with a trusted friend or family member? Password managers offer secure sharing features that allow you to grant temporary access without compromising the actual password.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0">Cross-Platform Compatibility: Most password managers work seamlessly across various devices, from your desktop computer to your smartphone and tablet. Access your passwords from anywhere, anytime.</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:65">Choosing the Right Password Manager: It's Not Just About Price</h2>
There's a plethora of password managers out there, each with its own set of features and pricing options. Here are some key factors to consider when making your choice:
<ul data-sourcepos="15:1-18:75">
<li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:190">Security: This should be your top priority. Look for a password manager that utilizes strong encryption methods and offers features like two-factor authentication for added security.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:240">Features: Consider the features that are most important to you. Do you need automatic form filling? Secure password sharing? Cross-platform compatibility? Make sure the password manager you choose offers the functionalities you need.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:168">Ease of Use: A password manager shouldn't add complexity to your life. Choose one that has a user-friendly interface and is easy to navigate on all your devices.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:75">Pricing: Password managers come in both free and premium versions. Free versions often offer basic functionality, while premium versions may offer additional features like secure password sharing, unlimited password storage, and priority customer support.</li>
</ul>
Here are a few popular password managers to get you started:
<ul data-sourcepos="22:1-26:0">
<li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:106"><a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a>: An affordable, small-business-focused option known for its intuitive UI and stellar customer support.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:126"><a href="https://1password.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">1Password</a>: Known for its user-friendly interface and strong security features. Offers individual, family, and business plans.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:124"><a href="https://www.dashlane.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Dashlane</a>: Another strong contender with a focus on security and ease of use. Free option is very limited, but has solid premium versions.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="25:1-26:0"><a href="https://bitwarden.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bitwarden</a>: A great open-source option that offers robust features at a competitive price (including a free tier).</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-sourcepos="27:1-27:42">Wrapping Up: Wi-Fi Security and Beyond</h2>
So, there you have it. We covered creating strong, memorable Wi-Fi passwords (thanks, passphrases!), the convenience of QR code access, and the ultimate security blanket &ndash; a password manager. Remember, strong Wi-Fi security is just one piece of the cybersecurity puzzle. By utilizing a password manager and practicing good online hygiene, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to cyberattacks and keep your digital life safe and sound. Now, go forth and conquer the internet with confidence (and maybe even impress your guests with a slick QR code Wi-Fi connection).

Use https://teampassword.com/password-generator for your WiFi network. Secure your WiFi network with our comprehensive guide on generating strong passwords, using QR codes for sharing, and managing credentials with password managers.

Secure your WiFi network with our comprehensive guide on generating strong passwords, using QR codes for sharing, and ...

WiFi Password Generator

Secure your WiFi network with our comprehensive guide on generating strong passwords, using QR codes for sharing, and managing credentials with password managers.

Have you ever gotten a text message with a code you didn't request? Maybe it was for logging into your bank account or social media profile. If so, you might be a target for a SIM swapping scam.
In this blog post, we'll break down what SIM swapping is, how it works, and how you can protect yourself from this increasingly common threat.
Here are the key things you need to know about SIM swapping:
<ul data-sourcepos="13:1-18:0">
<li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:115">SIM swapping is a scam where a thief takes control of your phone number by transferring it to a new SIM card.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:98">Social engineering and phishing are often used to trick your carrier into making the switch.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:124">Once they have control of your number, attackers can intercept your calls, texts, and two-factor authentication codes.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:221">There are steps you can take to protect yourself from SIM swapping, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication on all your accounts, and being careful about what information you share online.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="17:1-18:0">If you think you've been a victim of SIM swapping, contact your carrier immediately.</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-sourcepos="19:1-19:19">[Table of Contents]</h3>
<ul data-sourcepos="21:1-28:0">
<li data-sourcepos="21:1-21:23"><a href="#whatissimswapping" rel="follow">What Is SIM Swapping?</a></li>
<li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:29"><a href="#howdoessimswappingwork" rel="follow">How Does SIM Swapping Work?</a></li>
<li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:29"><a href="#howdoireportasimswapattack" rel="follow">How do I report a SIM swap attack?</a></li>
<li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:32"><a href="#howtoprotectyourself" rel="follow">How to Protect Yourself from SIM Swapping</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="whatissimswapping">What Is SIM Swapping?</h2>
SIM swapping, also known as SIM jacking or port-out fraud, is a scam where a cybercriminal gains control of your phone number by transferring it to a new SIM card. This allows them to intercept your calls, texts, and two-factor authentication codes, which they can then use to access your online accounts, such as your bank account, email, or social media profiles.
SIM cards are tiny chips that store your phone number and other subscriber information. They allow your phone to connect to your carrier's network and make calls, send texts, and access data.
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SIM swapping can be a very effective scam because it relies on <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/10-cyberattacks-recently-used-by-hackers-2023#socialengineering:~:text=you%20can%20restore.-,Social%20Engineering,-Social%20engineering%20is" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">social engineering</a>, which is the art of tricking people into giving up personal information. Scammers will often use a variety of techniques to gather information about their victims, such as <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/spear-phishing" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">phishing emails</a>, social media stalking, or even buying personal information on the black market.
Once they have enough information, the attacker will contact your carrier and pretend to be you. They will try to convince the carrier representative to transfer your phone number to a new SIM card that they have in their possession. In some cases, they may be successful, especially if they have been able to gather personal information about you, such as your birthday or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
<h2 id="howdoessimswappingwork">How Does SIM Swapping Work?</h2>
SIM swapping scams typically involve a two-step process:
<ol data-sourcepos="45:1-51:0">
<li data-sourcepos="45:1-49:0">
Information Gathering: The attacker will first try to gather as much personal information about you as possible. This information could include your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, and the answers to your security questions. They may use a variety of techniques to gather this information, such as:
<ul data-sourcepos="46:5-49:0">
<li data-sourcepos="46:5-46:264">Phishing scams: Phishing emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as your bank or phone company. These messages will often try to trick you into clicking on a link or entering your personal information into a fake website.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="47:5-47:205">Social media stalking: Attackers can glean a surprising amount of personal information from your social media profiles, such as your birthday, hometown, and the names of your friends and family.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="48:5-49:0">Buying information on the black market: Personal information is unfortunately readily available for purchase on the dark web.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sourcepos="50:1-51:0">
Porting the Number: Once the attacker has enough information about you, they will contact your carrier and pretend to be you. They will try to convince the carrier representative to transfer your phone number to a new SIM card that they have in their possession. They may use the information they have gathered to answer your security questions or verify your identity.
</li>
</ol>
If the attacker is successful, your phone number will be transferred to the new SIM card. This means that all of your calls, texts, and two-factor authentication codes will now be sent to the attacker's phone instead of yours. The attacker can then use this information to access your online accounts and steal your money or identity.
<h2 id="howdoireportasimswapattack">How Do I Report a SIM Swap Attack?</h2>
If you think you've been a victim of SIM swapping, the most important thing to do is to contact your carrier immediately. The sooner you report the scam, the sooner they can take steps to prevent further damage.
Here's how to report a SIM swap, but keep in mind the specific instructions may vary depending on your carrier:
<ul data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73">
<li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73">Call your carrier's customer service number. You can usually find this number on your carrier's website or on your monthly bill.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:62">Explain to the customer service representative that you believe you've been a victim of SIM swapping.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:150">Provide the representative with as much information as possible, such as your name, account number, and the phone number that was swapped.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="10:1-11:0">The carrier will likely freeze your account and issue you a new SIM card.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0">Once your account is secure, you should also change the passwords for all of your online accounts.</li>
</ul>
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
<ul data-sourcepos="15:1-19:0">
<li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:138">Verizon: <a href="https://www.verizon.com/about/account-security/sim-swapping" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.verizon.com/about/account-security/sim-swapping</a></li>
<li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:131">AT&amp;T: <a href="https://about.att.com/pages/cyberaware/ni/blog/sim_swap" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://about.att.com/pages/cyberaware/ni/blog/sim_swap</a></li>
<li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:135">T-Mobile: <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/support/business/change-sim-card" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.t-mobile.com/support/business/change-sim-card</a></li>
</ul>

<h2 id="howtoprotectyourself">How to Protect Yourself from a SIM Swap</h2>
There are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself from SIM swapping:
<h3 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:79">Always use Strong, Unique Passwords for Every Account</h3>
SIM swapping can be used for several nefarious schemes, but one of the most damaging is to capture your 2FA code. Unfortunately, many banks and other sensitive accounts allow or even require SMS-based multi-factor authentication. If your password is weak, the only thing that stands between a cyberthief and devastation is your phone carrier's (underpaid) customer support representative.&nbsp;
With a strong, unique password on every account, you at least mitigate the chance of a threat actor getting past step 1.
Protecting your email is especially important since most password reset flows work on the assumption that your email is secure!
If you need to share login credentials or have employees whose habits could endanger your company, you may want to invest in an affordable, collaboration-first password manager like <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a>.&nbsp;

<h3 data-sourcepos="24:1-24:31">Avoid SMS 2FA When Possible</h3>
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2fa-vs-mfa" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Two-factor authentication</a> (2FA) is an extra layer of security that helps to protect your online accounts. When you enable 2FA, you're required to enter a code in addition to your password in order to log in. This code can be sent to your phone via text message (SMS) or generated by an authentication app or hardware token.
While SMS 2FA is better than no 2FA at all, it's not the most secure option. This is because SIM swapping can give attackers access to your phone number, which means they could also intercept your 2FA codes.
For this reason, it's generally recommended to avoid using SMS 2FA whenever possible. Instead, you should use an authentication app like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy. These apps generate unique codes that are not tied to your phone number. Hardware tokens like YubiKey are another secure option for 2FA.
<h3 data-sourcepos="32:1-32:33"></h3>
<h3 data-sourcepos="32:1-32:33">The Problem with Social Media and SIM Swapping Scams</h3>
Many carriers still rely on security questions to verify your identity when you contact them. Unfortunately, the answers to these questions are often readily available on social media profiles. Hackers can easily find out your birthday, your pet's name, or the city you grew up in with a little social media stalking.
Here are some tips for protecting yourself:
<ul data-sourcepos="38:1-41:0">
<li data-sourcepos="38:1-38:170">Be careful about what information you share on social media. Don't share your birthday, address, phone number, or the names of your pets or family members publicly.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="39:1-39:123">Use <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password#:~:text=Strong%20Passwords%20Secure-,What%20Makes%20a%20Password%20Strong%3F,-A%20strong%20password" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">strong and unique passwords</a> for all of your online accounts. Don't reuse the same password for multiple accounts.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="40:1-41:0">Enable privacy settings on your social media accounts. This will help to limit who can see your information.</li>
</ul>
By following these tips, you can make it more difficult for attackers to gather the information they need to carry out a SIM swap scam.
In addition to the above, here are some other things you can do to protect yourself from SIM swapping:
<ul data-sourcepos="46:1-50:0">
<li data-sourcepos="46:1-46:134">Be wary of phishing scams. Don't click on links or enter your personal information into websites or emails from unknown senders.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="47:1-47:138">Review your carrier account regularly. Look for any suspicious activity, such as changes to your account information or new charges.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="48:1-48:117">Consider adding a PIN to your SIM card. This will require you to enter a PIN in order to activate the SIM card.</li>
<li data-sourcepos="49:1-50:0">Keep your software up to date. This includes your operating system, web browser, and security software.</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-sourcepos="51:1-51:98">How to manage all those unique credentials securely</h2>
Credential management and storage is tough: that's why people use passwords, security questions, and PINs that can be easily guessed, phished, or scraped from the internet.&nbsp;
One of the best solutions is a reliable password manager. Our goal with <a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a> is to make business password management affordable, easy to understand, and secure. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Try TeamPassword for free for 14 days</a> with no obligations.&nbsp;

Discover how SIM swapping works and how to prevent it. This guide explains SIM swapping scams, how they steal your phone number, and offers solutions to keep your accounts safe.

Discover how SIM swapping works and how to prevent it. This guide explains SIM swapping scams, how they ...

What Is SIM Swapping and How to Prevent SIM Swap Attacks

In the business world, ensuring secure access to systems and data is paramount. One method increasingly employed to bolster security is the use of one-time passwords (OTPs). This blog explores what OTPs are, their applications, and how they compare to other security measures like traditional passwords, and the difference between OTP and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Additionally, we'll discuss the need for secure password storage and the potential vulnerabilities associated with OTPs.
<h3>Table of Contents</h3>
<ol>
<li><a href="#introduction" rel="follow">Introduction to One-Time Passwords (OTPs)</a></li>
<li><a href="#applications" rel="follow">Applications of One-Time Passwords</a></li>
<li><a href="#comparing" rel="follow">Comparing Passwords, MFA, and OTPs</a></li>
<li><a href="#importanceofsecurepasswordmanagement" rel="follow">The Importance of Secure Password Management and MFA</a></li>
<li><a href="#vulnerabilites" rel="follow">Vulnerabilities of OTPs</a></li>
</ol>
<h2 id="introduction">Introduction to One-Time Passwords (OTPs)</h2>
A one-time password (OTP) is a security mechanism that generates a unique password for each login or transaction session. Unlike traditional passwords, which remain the same until changed by the user, OTPs are valid for only one use and a limited period. This dynamic nature makes OTPs more secure against certain types of cyberattacks, particularly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replay_attack" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">replay attacks</a> where an attacker reuses credentials intercepted during transmission.
OTPs are typically delivered to users via SMS, email, or through specialized applications like Google Authenticator or Authy. The generation and verification of OTPs often rely on algorithms such as the <a href="https://www.twilio.com/docs/glossary/totp" rel="nofollow noopener">Time-Based One-Time Password</a> (TOTP) or HMAC-Based One-Time Password (HOTP).
<h2 id="applications">Applications of One-Time Passwords</h2>
One-time passwords are employed in a variety of scenarios to enhance security. Below are some common applications:
<ol>
<li>
Banking and Financial Services: Many banks use OTPs for authenticating online transactions and accessing online banking services. For example, customers may receive an OTP via SMS to confirm a money transfer.
</li>
<li>
Corporate Access Control: Businesses use OTPs to secure access to sensitive systems and data. Employees may need to enter an OTP in addition to their regular password to access corporate networks or cloud services.
</li>
<li>
E-commerce: Online retailers use OTPs to verify customer identities during checkout, especially for high-value transactions. This helps prevent unauthorized purchases.
</li>
<li>
Email and Social Media: Providers like Google and Facebook use OTPs as part of their two-step verification processes, adding an extra layer of security to user accounts.
</li>
<li>
Healthcare: Medical institutions use OTPs to protect patient data and ensure that only authorized personnel can access electronic health records (EHRs).
</li>
<li>
Government Services: Government portals often use OTPs to secure access to services such as tax filing, benefit applications, and other sensitive citizen data interactions.
</li>
</ol>
<h2 id="comparing">Comparing Passwords, MFA, and OTPs</h2>
Passwords
Traditional passwords are the most common form of authentication. Users create a password, which they use to access systems and services. However, passwords alone have significant drawbacks:
<ul>
<li>Vulnerability to Attacks: Passwords can be stolen through phishing, keylogging, or data breaches.</li>
<li>Password Fatigue: Users often reuse passwords across multiple sites, increasing the risk of compromise.</li>
<li>Complexity vs. Usability: Strong passwords are hard to remember, leading to poor practices like writing them down.</li>
</ul>
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds additional layers of security by requiring multiple forms of verification:
<ul>
<li>Something You Know: A password or PIN.</li>
<li>Something You Have: A physical device like a smartphone or a hardware token.</li>
<li>Something You Are: Biometric verification like a fingerprint or facial recognition.</li>
</ul>
MFA significantly enhances security by combining these factors. Even if one factor is compromised, an attacker would still need the others to gain access.
One-Time Passwords (OTPs)
OTPs can be considered a component of MFA:
<ul>
<li>Dynamic Nature: OTPs are used only once and are time-limited, reducing the risk of replay attacks.</li>
<li>Convenience: They can be delivered to users via familiar methods like SMS or email.</li>
<li>Integration: OTPs are often used alongside traditional passwords and other MFA components for added security.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="importanceofsecurepasswordmanagement">The Importance of Secure Password Management and MFA</h2>
For businesses, the security of digital assets and sensitive information is paramount. Implementing strong authentication mechanisms is essential for protecting against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
Employee Use of MFA
Employees are often the first line of defense in cybersecurity. Ensuring that employees use MFA can significantly reduce the risk of breaches:
<ul>
<li>Enhanced Security: MFA provides an additional layer of security beyond passwords.</li>
<li>Compliance: Many industries have regulatory requirements for MFA to protect sensitive data.</li>
<li>User Awareness: Using MFA educates employees about the importance of security and helps foster a culture of vigilance.</li>
</ul>
Secure Password Storage
Storing passwords securely is crucial to prevent unauthorized access:
<ul>
<li>Password Managers: Encourage employees to use <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password managers</a> to generate and store complex, unique passwords for each service.</li>
<li>Encryption: Ensure that passwords are stored using strong encryption methods to protect them from theft.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="vulnerabilites">Vulnerabilities of OTPs</h2>
While OTPs provide enhanced security, they are not without their vulnerabilities. One critical weakness is their dependency on the security of the delivery method, typically email or SMS.
<h3>Security of Email and SMS</h3>
Email
Email is a common method for delivering OTPs, but it is not foolproof. If a user's email account is compromised, an attacker can intercept OTPs sent via email, gaining access to secured accounts. This vulnerability is particularly concerning given the prevalence of phishing attacks and data breaches that expose email credentials.
Examples: Notable incidents include the Yahoo data breaches in 2013 and 2014, which affected billions of user accounts. If OTPs had been sent to these compromised emails, they would have been easily intercepted by attackers.
SMS
SMS is another popular method for OTP delivery, but it has significant security flaws. One major issue is SIM swapping, where an attacker tricks the mobile carrier into transferring the victim's phone number to a new SIM card. Once this is done, the attacker can receive all OTPs sent to the victim's phone number.
Examples: There have been numerous SIM swap attacks targeting cryptocurrency accounts. For instance, a <a href="https://gbhackers.com/hacker-group-sim-swapping-attack/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">high-profile case in 2018</a> involved a hacker stealing $5 million by taking over victims' phone numbers and intercepting their OTPs.
<h4>Mitigating Risks</h4>
To mitigate these risks, businesses should implement additional security measures:
Email Security
Encourage employees to use strong, unique passwords for their email accounts and enable MFA. A strong password is less likely to be guessed or cracked, and MFA adds an extra layer of protection.
Educate employees on recognizing phishing attempts and provide training on cybersecurity best practices. Use email security solutions that can detect and block phishing emails and malicious attachments.
Alternative Delivery Methods
Consider using more secure methods for OTP delivery, such as dedicated authentication apps (e.g., Google Authenticator, Authy) or hardware tokens. These methods do not rely on potentially insecure communication channels like email or SMS.
Authentication apps generate OTPs locally on the device, which are not susceptible to interception during transmission. Hardware tokens provide a physical factor that is harder to replicate or steal.
Continuous Monitoring
Implement systems to monitor for unusual login activities and alert users to potential security breaches. This proactive approach can help detect and respond to suspicious activities before significant damage occurs.
Use anomaly detection systems that analyze login patterns and flag irregularities, such as logins from unusual locations or devices. Integrate these systems with a comprehensive security information and event management (SIEM) solution to centralize and correlate security alerts.
Additional Recommendations:
<ol>
<li>
Encryption: Ensure that all OTPs, whether delivered via email, SMS, or other methods, are encrypted in transit to protect against interception.
</li>
<li>
Limit OTP Validity: Reduce the validity period of OTPs to minimize the window of opportunity for an attacker to use a compromised OTP.
</li>
<li>
User Education: Regularly educate users about the importance of securing their communication channels and recognizing potential security threats.
</li>
<li>
Backup Authentication Methods: Provide backup authentication methods for scenarios where OTP delivery methods fail, ensuring that users can still gain access securely.
</li>
</ol>
By understanding the vulnerabilities of OTPs and implementing these additional security measures, businesses can significantly enhance the security of their authentication processes and protect against unauthorized access.
<h2>Secure password handling remains crucial</h2>
Understanding the meaning and application of OTPs in business is crucial for enhancing security and protecting sensitive data. While OTPs offer significant security benefits, they should be used as part of a comprehensive security strategy that includes MFA and secure password management practices. Businesses must stay vigilant and continually assess their security measures to adapt to evolving threats.
Even with OTPs, <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-are-magic-links-and-how-are-they-used" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">magic links</a>, or the increasingly popular <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/passkey-technology" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Passkeys</a>, you still need a secure solution for storing passwords. If you're a business, you need a safe and convenient way to share them. A password manager like <a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a> can do just that. Try <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword free for 14 days</a>.&nbsp;

Learn what OTP means in business and how it enhances security. Explore the applications of one-time passwords, the differences between passwords, MFA, and OTPs, and the importance of secure password management.

Learn what OTP means in business and how it enhances security. Explore the applications of one-time passwords, the ...

What does OTP mean in business?

Learn what OTP means in business and how it enhances security. Explore the applications of one-time passwords, the differences between passwords, MFA, and OTPs, and the importance of secure password management. Discover the potential vulnerabilities of OTPs and how to mitigate risks.

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

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.

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

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