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While people often search for "password encryption," the correct technical practice for securely storing user credentials in a database is actually password hashing. Without hashing, anyone accessing a user database on a company's servers (including hackers) could easily view stored passwords in plain text.
Even a strong 32-character password created using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">secure password generator</a> is a massive liability if the database isn't secured properly. 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!
Hashing 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 hashing and encryption, why <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">strong passwords matter</a>, and how you can practice better credential management!
<a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today!
<h2>Understanding Password Security: Hashing vs. Encryption</h2>
To explain database security effectively, we must first grasp the language and correct a common misconception. Encryption is a two-way street; hashing is a one-way street. Databases should hash passwords, while password managers encrypt your password vault.
<ul>
<li>Encryption: A reversible process. Data is scrambled using a cryptographic key and can be decrypted back to its original plaintext using the correct key (e.g., AES-256).</li>
<li>Hashing: A one-way mathematical algorithm that converts your password into a seemingly random, fixed-length string of characters. It cannot be mathematically reversed.</li>
<li>Key: Used to lock and unlock encrypted data using a random string of bits.</li>
<li>Hash: The random series of numbers and letters representing your password. The system uses your hash instead of the raw password for authentication.</li>
<li>Salt: Random data appended to your password before it goes through the hash function, making the resulting hash unique per user.</li>
<li>Pepper: A secret cryptographic key added to the password that is stored securely on the application server, completely separate from the database.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How Does Password Hashing Work?</h2>
When you create a new account, your chosen password undergoes a one-way transformation process to protect its integrity. The algorithm converts your password into a hash, which is stored on the server. For example:
<ul>
<li>Original password: MyCatLovesWalkingInTheRain!</li>
<li>Hashed password: 6AF1CE202340​FE71BDB914AD5357​E33A6982A63B</li>
</ul>
To authenticate your identity, the system recreates the hash of your entered password upon login. If this newly generated hash matches the stored hash, the system grants access. Because this is a one-way process, a hacker who steals the database only gets the hashes, not your original password.
<h3>How Salt and Pepper Work</h3>
While hashing provides a foundational layer of security, it's not infallible on its own. A standard hash function creates a unique hash for each password, but not each user. If two users have the exact same password, their hashes will be identical, making them vulnerable to pre-computed attacks like rainbow tables.
To overcome this, engineers use salting. A salt appends a unique, random value to the password before the hash function runs. This way, even identical passwords generate completely different hashes.
Modern systems also use a pepper. While a salt is stored in the database right next to the hash, a pepper is stored separately on the application server. If a hacker breaches the database but fails to compromise the application server, they cannot crack the hashes because they lack the secret pepper.
<h3>Advanced Password Protection: Argon2</h3>
Salting and peppering are essential, but modern security protocols employ advanced, computationally intensive algorithms to fortify protection. Argon2 is currently considered the gold standard for password hashing. As the winner of the Password Hashing Competition (PHC), Argon2 is specifically designed to be "memory-hard," meaning it actively resists brute-force attacks from massive, AI-powered GPU arrays.
<h2>5 Common Encryption and Cryptography Standards</h2>
While passwords should be hashed in databases, encryption is used to secure files, data in transit, and password manager vaults. Here are five standards you should know:
<h3>1. Data Encryption Standard (DES)</h3>
While applications no longer use DES, it's important to mention because of its historical influence. Developed by IBM in the 1970s, it was the original 56-bit encryption standard. However, hackers have been able to break DES keys since the late 90s, rendering it entirely obsolete.
<h3>2. Triple DES (3DES)</h3>
Triple DES was created to apply the DES algorithm three times to each data block. While many financial institutions historically used it to encrypt ATM PINs, the <a href="https://www.nist.gov/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)</a> officially retired 3DES in 2023. It is now considered fundamentally insecure and deprecated.
<h3>3. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)</h3>
AES is the modern gold standard for encryption&mdash;trusted by the United States Government and top-tier security organizations globally. While 128-bit AES is highly secure, modern businesses prefer heavy-duty 256-bit encryption.
At <a href="https://teampassword.com/security">TeamPassword</a>, we use AES 256-bit encryption to secure your password vault, ensuring the highest levels of security for our clients. (Note: Because this is a vault you need to retrieve passwords from, AES two-way encryption is used rather than one-way hashing).
<h3>4. Blowfish and bcrypt</h3>
American cryptographer Bruce Schneier designed Blowfish in 1993 as an antidote to weak DES encryption. While the original Blowfish cipher had vulnerabilities, it birthed bcrypt&mdash;a highly respected and widely used password hashing function that incorporates key stretching to slow down brute-force attacks.
<h3>5. Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA)</h3>
RSA is one of the oldest public-key cryptosystems and is widely used to transfer data securely across the internet (like securing HTTPS connections). The encryption works with a public key and a private key. Due to its mathematical complexity, RSA is excellent for data transfer, but it is not intended for database password storage.
<h2>Why Strong Passwords Matter</h2>
Robust database security can only prevent criminals from viewing saved credentials if the server is breached&mdash;it cannot prevent hackers from guessing weak, commonly used passwords on the login screen. If you <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/colonial-pipeline-ransomware-attack-dont-reuse-passwords" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">reuse the same password for multiple accounts</a>, credential stuffing attacks will easily compromise your security!
Furthermore, if a database is stolen, hackers use AI-driven brute-force tools to crack the hashes. If your password is short, it will be cracked in seconds, regardless of the hash algorithm.
<h3>Improving Your Password Management</h3>
The <a href="https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/sp800-63b.html" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">NIST SP 800-63B Digital Identity Guidelines</a> have revolutionized how we approach password security. Criminals rely on people using weak, predictable patterns. Here are modern tips for securing your accounts:
<ol>
<li>Focus on Length: Forget the old "8-character minimum" rule. Modern GPUs can crack 8-character passwords instantly. NIST recommends using long passphrases of at least 15 characters (e.g., MyBlueCoffeeMugSpillsAlways!).</li>
<li>Never Reuse Passwords: Ensure every single account has a unique credential.</li>
<li>Stop Arbitrary Password Rotation: NIST advises against forcing users to change their passwords every 90 days. Forced rotation leads to predictable passwords. Only change a password if you suspect it has been breached.</li>
<li>Embrace Passkeys: As the industry moves toward passwordless authentication, <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/passkey-technology" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">passkey technology</a> is becoming the new standard. Passkeys use device biometrics to authenticate you, eliminating the password entirely.</li>
<li>Use a Password Manager: Memorizing unique 15-character passphrases for dozens of accounts is impossible. A <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password manager like TeamPassword</a> generates, stores, and autofills your credentials securely.</li>
</ol>
<h2>Why You Need a Password Manager like TeamPassword</h2>
Instead of remembering the credentials for every account, you only need to memorize the one ultra-strong master passphrase to log into your password manager.
TeamPassword keeps all of your credentials safely stored and encrypted using AES-256. Instead of typing your credentials, you use one of TeamPassword's browser extensions to log into accounts seamlessly.
<h4>Built for Teams</h4>
TeamPassword's best feature is its ability to share credentials with team members securely. Instead of texting or emailing passwords, you provide access directly through TeamPassword.
You can create groups in TeamPassword to share access with employees, clients, contractors, and freelancers. When someone no longer needs access, simply remove them from the group with a single click. Adhering to the principle of least privilege has never been easier.
<h4>Built-In Password Generator</h4>
TeamPassword features a built-in secure password generator so you can instantly create robust 15+ character passphrases for every new account. TeamPassword ensures you never reuse the same credentials, protecting you from modern credential stuffing attacks.
<h4>Monitor Login Activity</h4>
TeamPassword's activity log keeps track of every action across all of your accounts&mdash;logins, updates, new team members, shared access, and more. You can also set up email notifications for specific actions so you can react quickly to any unauthorized changes.
<h4>Get Your Free TeamPassword Trial</h4>
Server-side hashing isn't enough to protect your business if your team uses weak passwords! You need a robust password manager like TeamPassword to create, store, and share credentials securely.
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> and let TeamPassword secure your company's digital assets today.

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Utility companies, such as those that provide electricity, natural gas, and water, are highly lucrative targets for modern cyberattacks. Recent reports from specialized Industrial Control System (ICS) security firms, such as Dragos and Mandiant, highlight a sharp increase in threat groups&mdash;including nation-state actors and ransomware syndicates&mdash;actively probing critical infrastructure.
Organizations within the utility sector must continuously modernize their cybersecurity posture to prevent dangerous threats. A successful breach in this sector goes beyond financial loss; it can result in physical equipment damage and catastrophic disruptions to the communities that rely on these life-sustaining services.
In this cybersecurity for utilities guide, we'll discuss the common threats these companies are up against, the unique challenges of protecting critical infrastructure, and the modern best practices required to mitigate risks.
First, here are the five key things to understand about cybersecurity for utilities:
<ul>
<li>The utility sector manages both standard business networks (IT) and the physical systems that deliver water, gas, and power (OT).</li>
<li>Connecting legacy infrastructure to modern "smart grids" expands the attack surface, creating dangerous new vulnerabilities.</li>
<li>Utility companies face immense federal pressure to adopt a Zero Trust Architecture and comply with strict compliance frameworks.</li>
<li>Companies can quickly improve their security posture by deploying AI-driven threat detection, adopting modern password guidelines, securing physical infrastructure, and segmenting their networks.</li>
<li>TeamPassword can help utility companies protect critical operational data through secure, encrypted credential management.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Understanding the Utilities Sector: IT/OT Convergence</h2>
The utilities sector includes a wide range of companies that supply electricity, water, natural gas, and sewage services. Securing these companies requires understanding the difference between two distinct environments: Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT).
Historically, a utility company's business computers (IT) were completely isolated&mdash;or "air-gapped"&mdash;from the OT and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems that physically control valves, breakers, and grid sensors. However, modern efficiency demands have led to the rise of the "smart grid."
Today, OT and IT networks are converging. Digital meters automatically report usage, and grid analytics predict outages before they happen. While this connectivity lowers costs and boosts efficiency, it also means that a hacker who breaches a standard employee's email account could potentially pivot into the systems that control the physical power grid.
<h2>Common Cyber Threats Facing Utility Companies</h2>
Every new digital sensor or smart integration extends the attack surface. Today, utility companies face a sophisticated landscape of cyber threats:
<ul>
<li>Ransomware on Critical Infrastructure: Attackers deploy malicious software to lock access to critical computer systems. Modern ransomware gangs increasingly target energy and water sectors, knowing that the intense pressure to restore public services makes these companies more likely to pay high ransoms.</li>
<li>AI-Powered Phishing: <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/10-cyberattacks-recently-used-by-hackers-2023" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Phishing</a> is no longer easy to spot. Cybercriminals now use Generative AI to craft flawless, highly personalized emails that trick employees into handing over network credentials or downloading malware.</li>
<li>Nation-State Probes: Unlike financially motivated hackers, nation-state actors often infiltrate utility networks to establish "persistence"&mdash;quietly lurking in the system so they can disrupt critical infrastructure during times of geopolitical conflict.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Challenges &amp; Roadblocks in Utility Cybersecurity</h2>
Cybersecurity for utilities presents unique hurdles that standard corporate IT does not. To start, many OT environments rely on legacy systems built decades ago. These systems were designed for maximum uptime and reliability, not security. They often cannot be patched, taken offline, or equipped with modern antivirus software without risking a service outage.
Another challenge is the intense regulatory environment. Organizations must comply with evolving standards set forth by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (<a href="https://www.nerc.com/pa/Stand/Pages/default.aspx" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">NERC</a>). Furthermore, federal agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) increasingly expect utilities to adopt strict security benchmarks to protect national security.
Finally, cost is a consistent roadblock. Because energy and water rates are heavily regulated, utility companies must operate on tight margins, making it difficult to budget for massive infrastructure and security overhauls.
<h2>Cybersecurity for Utilities: 7 Best Practices</h2>
Despite these challenges, utility companies can take decisive, actionable steps to modernize their security posture. These steps include:
<h3>#1. Implement AI-Driven Threat Detection</h3>
Threat detection is the process of identifying potential cyber risks before they compromise the network. Because modern attackers use autonomous agents to map networks, utilities can no longer rely on manual audits or basic antivirus. Instead, companies must deploy AI-driven Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and network anomaly detection tools. These systems monitor the network in real-time, instantly flagging unusual behavior&mdash;like a business workstation attempting to communicate with a SCADA controller.
<h3>#2. Secure Physical Utility Infrastructure</h3>
Cybersecurity also requires physical security. Attackers or vandals may target remote substations, pump stations, or server rooms. Utilities must secure physical infrastructure by implementing robust access controls, requiring fobs or biometrics for entry. Surveillance cameras, perimeter sensors, and tamper-evident hardware should be standard across all remote facilities.
<h3>#3. Segment Networks and Adopt Zero Trust</h3>
Because IT and OT networks are converging, utilities must adopt a Zero Trust Architecture. This means no user, device, or application is trusted by default, even if they are already inside the corporate network. Furthermore, strict network segmentation must be enforced. If an employee's laptop is compromised by malware, firewalls and strict access policies should make it impossible for that malware to cross over into the OT environment.
<h3>#4. Train Staff on Advanced Security Protocols</h3>
Human error remains a leading cause of data breaches. It's critical to ensure your <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-best-practices-for-employees" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">employees understand modern security protocols</a>. Move beyond basic training and educate your team on the dangers of AI-generated phishing, deepfake voice scams, and the specific risks associated with OT systems. Staff must understand the critical importance of never connecting unauthorized personal devices or USB drives to operational hardware.
<h3>#5. Implement Air-Gapped Data Backups</h3>
If ransomware strikes, having a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">recovery plan</a> and robust data backups can prevent prolonged utility outages. However, backups must be immutable and "air-gapped" (physically or logically separated from the main network). If backups are stored on the same connected network as the primary data, ransomware will simply encrypt the backups, too.
<h3>#6. Adopt Modern Password Guidelines &amp; MFA</h3>
Securing the credentials that access your systems is your most critical line of defense. The <a href="https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/sp800-63b.html" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">latest NIST SP 800-63B guidelines</a> have modernized how we handle passwords. Instead of forcing users to use a confusing mix of special characters, NIST advises prioritizing length. Using ultra-long "passphrases" (15+ characters) is exponentially more secure against brute-force attacks.
Additionally, utilities must enforce Phishing-Resistant Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) across all remote access points. To manage these complex passphrases safely, teams should abandon shared spreadsheets and adopt a dedicated <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password manager</a>. This ensures credentials are encrypted, access is logged, and sharing is tightly controlled.
<h3>#7. Use Federal Security Frameworks as a Guide</h3>
You don't have to build a security strategy from scratch. Utilize federal frameworks designed specifically for critical infrastructure. For example, CISA offers the Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs), which provide prioritized security practices for critical infrastructure operators. Additionally, the Department of Energy offers the Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (<a href="https://www.energy.gov/ceser/cybersecurity-capability-maturity-model-c2m2" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">C2M2</a>) to help utility companies assess and benchmark their security capabilities.
<h2>Protect Your Critical Systems With TeamPassword</h2>
By adopting Zero Trust principles, securing the IT/OT boundary, and following federal frameworks, utility companies can defend their critical infrastructure against sophisticated modern threats.
One immediate step you can take today is locking down your credential management. Weak, reused, or poorly shared passwords are the easiest way for an attacker to bypass your firewalls.
TeamPassword can help. Our password management tool is designed for secure, organizational sharing with an intuitive interface, providing the exact features critical infrastructure teams need:
<ul>
<li>Comprehensive activity logs for audit and compliance tracking</li>
<li>Enforceable multi-factor authentication (MFA)</li>
<li>Organization via unlimited groups, enabling strict "Principle of Least Privilege" access</li>
<li>AES 256-bit zero-knowledge encryption (meaning we cannot see or access your operational data)</li>
<li>Budget-friendly, competitive pricing</li>
</ul>
Don't leave your infrastructure access to chance. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Try a 14-day, no-commitment free trial of TeamPassword today!</a>

The utilities sector is ripe for cyber threats. Learn more about these threats and how to prevent them in this guide about cybersecurity for utilities.

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If one member of your team uses a weak password, it exposes your entire network to threats. Likewise, if one member of your team reuses their strong password elsewhere and it is <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/have-i-been-pwnd-what-to-do-when-it-happens" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">pwned</a>, then your entire network is exposed.
Passwords have become the main point of entry for hackers. Any password complex enough to garner security cannot be remembered easily, and with an ever-increasing number of passwords being needed, users often <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/colonial-pipeline-ransomware-attack-dont-reuse-passwords" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">reuse</a> them, which is a huge security risk.
Between weak and reused passwords, your network is far less secure than it would be by design. The first step in rectifying this situation is to audit passwords on your network.
<h2>What is a Password Audit?</h2>
A password audit is a systematic review of the passwords used within your network to identify security weaknesses. By leveraging specialized software, the audit simulates various attack methods&mdash;such as dictionary attacks, brute force attacks, and AI-assisted cracking&mdash;similar to those employed by modern hackers.
The purpose of a password audit is to pinpoint vulnerabilities like weak or compromised passwords, reused credentials, and other security gaps. The software scans for these issues by attempting to break into your network, mimicking the techniques that malicious actors might use. By identifying and addressing these weaknesses, you can significantly enhance your network&rsquo;s security and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.
<h2>Why Audit Passwords?</h2>
The fact is that traditional passwords are deeply flawed: they need to be unique for each site, you need to remember them, and you shouldn&rsquo;t store them somewhere unsafe like a post-it note or an <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/password-manager-or-excel">Excel</a> file. Human nature often runs counter to the aim of secure passwords.
<img alt="Built-in password generator.gif" width="466" height="355" src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/tj8gEkSCTwiowMUAocHy">
Use a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password generator</a> to test the strength of your password
Of course, a strong <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/best-password-managers-for-teams" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password manager</a> helps, but before you get the most out of the added security and convenience of a password manager, you need to be confident that the passwords currently accessing your network are secure.
In the past, IT departments enforced strict password complexity to maximize security&mdash;requiring a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. However, the <a href="https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/sp800-63b.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-63B guidelines</a> now advise against forcing these complex character rules. Studies show that forcing special characters just makes users create predictable passwords (like <code>Password123!</code>). NIST now recommends focusing on length (using passphrases of 15+ characters) rather than a confusing mix of characters.
Even if a user chooses a compliant password, is it safe from modern hacking? Historically, we worried about brute force attacks (trying every combination from "aaaaa" to "zzzzz") and dictionary attacks (trying every word in the dictionary plus common substitutions like "p4ssw0rd").
Today, the threat landscape has evolved with artificial intelligence. Hackers now use tools like PassGAN (Password Generative Adversarial Network). Instead of blindly guessing or using a static dictionary, AI learns how humans actually formulate passwords and generates highly probable, context-aware guesses. This makes modern password cracking drastically faster and more efficient, making regular password auditing more important than ever.
Don't let your company fall victim to extortion emails, credential stuffing, or AI-assisted cracking. Let <a href="https://teampassword.com/pricing" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a> take care of security while you focus on growing a successful business!
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> to test TeamPassword with your team members today.
<h2>How do you Audit Passwords?</h2>
To audit passwords, you need to use specialized software. Essentially, password auditing tools attempt to guess the passwords being used on your network through a combination of dictionary, brute force, and rule-based attacks. They also cross-reference your network's hashes against databases of known breached passwords.
Once you have performed a password audit, you can notify any users whose passwords have been compromised or found to be too weak so that they can change them immediately.
<img alt="undefined" width="530" height="298" src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/t9IDwAXJSL6jPXXhQfMh">
<h2>What are some modern tools to audit passwords?</h2>
You&rsquo;ve decided to audit the passwords on your network, but what program should you use? Forget the legacy tools of the past; here are four modern, industry-standard password auditing applications.
<h3>Hashcat</h3>
<a href="https://hashcat.net/hashcat/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Hashcat</a> is the undisputed industry standard and the world's fastest password recovery tool. It supports highly optimized offline cracking using modern GPUs. Hashcat can run dictionary attacks, brute-force attacks, and highly complex rule-based attacks, making it a staple for any serious penetration tester or IT auditor.
<h3>John the Ripper</h3>
<a href="https://www.openwall.com/john/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">John the Ripper</a> is a fast, open-source password security auditing and password recovery tool. Originally developed for Unix, it is now available across multiple platforms. Its primary purpose is to detect weak Unix passwords, but it supports hundreds of hash and cipher types, making it incredibly versatile for network audits.
<h3>Specops Password Auditor</h3>
For organizations running a Microsoft environment, <a href="https://specopssoft.com/product/specops-password-auditor/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Specops Password Auditor</a> is a highly practical choice. It is specifically designed to scan your Active Directory (AD) environment. It identifies password vulnerabilities, such as users with breached passwords, identical passwords, or accounts that don't require passwords at all, and generates an easy-to-read executive report.
<h3>THC Hydra</h3>
While the tools above are generally used for offline hash cracking, <a href="https://github.com/vanhauser-thc/thc-hydra" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">THC Hydra</a> is the tool of choice for remote authentication cracking. It performs rapid dictionary attacks against more than 50 network protocols, including SSH, FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, and SMB. It is a critical tool for checking if your network logins are susceptible to online brute-forcing.
<h2>What are common issues found when you audit passwords?</h2>
<h3>Weak Passwords</h3>
Weak passwords are often too short, too simple, or too common. These types of passwords are highly susceptible to various attacks:
<ul>
<li>
Short passwords: Passwords with fewer characters are highly vulnerable. Short passwords significantly reduce the total number of combinations that need to be tested, allowing modern GPUs to crack them in seconds.
</li>
<li>
Simple passwords: Using predictable sequences like "123456" or "password" makes passwords susceptible to easy guessing.
</li>
<li>
Common passwords: Passwords based on easily obtainable personal information, like a local sports team or birthdate, are particularly vulnerable to dictionary and AI-driven attacks.
</li>
</ul>
<img alt="password_entropy.webp" width="650" height="390" src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/2HiJREcRg6yN10QaKAr6">
Password length greatly affects strength
<h3>Compromised Passwords</h3>
A &ldquo;pwned&rdquo; password is one that has been exposed in a data breach. When a username and password combination is leaked online, hackers add those credentials to their databases. Because password reuse is so common, pwned passwords almost always appear in corporate password audits. You can check if your credentials have been compromised using tools like <a href="https://haveibeenpwned.com/" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">Have I Been Pwned</a>.
<h3>Identical Passwords</h3>
Reusing passwords across multiple accounts can have catastrophic consequences. Once a hacker obtains one password, they can use it to try and access other accounts tied to the same user. This practice, called <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/appletree-to-anarchy-credential-stuffing" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">credential stuffing</a>, is highly effective. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that each password is unique across all accounts.
<h3>Outdated Expiration Policies</h3>
Depending on old security protocols, some networks still force passwords to expire every 30 to 90 days. A good audit will highlight these policies. Because NIST guidelines now recommend against forced password rotation&mdash;as it encourages users to create weaker, predictable passwords&mdash;you should use the audit to identify breached passwords for immediate reset, and consider dropping arbitrary expiration dates entirely.
<h2>TeamPassword: Secure Sharing for the Modern Workforce</h2>
Whatever issues are found during your password audit, the best thing you can do to prevent further vulnerabilities is to equip your users with a dedicated password manager. <a href="https://teampassword.com/pricing" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a> is the best way to make your team proactive participants in network security.
As part of a modern security strategy, you might also be exploring <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/passkey-technology" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">passkey technology</a>. While passkeys are great for personal use because they eliminate the password entirely, they are not a perfect solution for teams. In a collaborative business environment, administrators need the ability to easily provision, share, and revoke access to shared company accounts. Tying a login strictly to one employee's physical device hardware makes team access control incredibly difficult.
This is why a robust password manager remains essential. Your password manager should have secure sharing and fluid organization so that you can adhere to the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/what-is-the-principle-of-least-privilege" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">principle of least privilege</a> (PoLP). TeamPassword offers unlimited groups, AES 256-bit vault encryption, and two-factor authentication so you have complete peace of mind.
Before anyone can access a list of shared company passwords, they must log in to the platform using their personal credentials and a multi-factor authentication code. Teams often need to share access to mutual accounts, but you don't have to put your data at risk to make this possible.
Use <a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a> to securely generate, store, and share passwords within your team.
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> to test TeamPassword with your team members today.

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Dreaming of a flexible career where you set your own hours and work with clients from around the globe? The rise of the gig economy has made this dream a reality for countless professionals. From graphic designers to writers and developers, freelancers are reshaping the traditional workplace.
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, <a href="https://www.upwork.com/research/freelance-forward-2022" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">freelancers contributed $1.35 trillion to the U.S. economy in annual earnings in 2022, up $50 billion from 2021</a>.&nbsp;Some of the most successful freelancers earn hundreds of thousands of dollars per year through platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal.
But what does it take to become a top-earning freelancer? In this post, we'll examine 10 successful individuals who have built thriving careers in the freelance world. By examining their portfolios and successes, we hope to give you a better idea of what's possible in the freelance world, and inspire you to take the leap should you decide that freelance is the right choice for you!
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Does your company hire freelancers? How do you <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/should-i-share-data-with-freelancers" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today.
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<h2>10 Successful Freelancers</h2>
Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field with excellent track records&mdash;many have worked with the biggest companies in the world!
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<h3>1. Scott Luscombe - Graphic Designer / Shopify Expert / Website Developer / Copywriter&nbsp; - Canada</h3>
Scott Luscombe is a freelance graphic designer, Shopify expert, website developer, and copywriter from Uxbridge, Canada. He holds a degree in Illustration from Sheridan College and a degree in Marketing from the University of Toronto.
Scott has been a freelancer for most of his professional career and has earned over $500k on Upwork. He has completed over 311 jobs and worked&nbsp;10,956 hours!&nbsp;
Scott's work includes graphic design and branding, illustration and icons, copywriting, website design and development, UX/UI, and printing and packaging. He also provides freelance coaching and consulting. Scott is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer currently charging $99 per hour for various creative gigs.
Some of Scott's most notable work includes designs for Coca-Cola, the Canadian Cancer Society, Nickelodeon, and Wallet Ninja (to name a few).&nbsp;
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<h3>2. Kathy Edens - Marketing Consultant / Freelance Copywriter - United States</h3>
<a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~016177d19f0624c1a7?viewMode=1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Kathy Edens is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with over $300k platform earnings! Kathy has been self-employed as a marketing consultant and freelance copywriter for almost ten years from her home in Ohio, United States.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing and Psychology from Oregon State University, which she says "...helps me understand how to reach your target audience with words."&nbsp;
Kathy has ghost-written several non-fiction books on various topics, including social entrepreneurship, healthcare, real estate investing, and the cannabis industry, to name a few.
Kathy also writes web content, sales pages, email marketing content, case studies, white papers, brochures, press releases, and more. Kathy's rates start at $86 per hour for her writing and marketing services.
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<h3>3. Koen van Oeveren - UX designer - Netherlands</h3>
Koen van Oeveren is a freelance UI &amp; UX designer from North Brabant, Netherlands, with almost ten years of experience. Koen works with several design agencies in the Netherlands, designing apps, websites, and eCommerce experiences for many international brands.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Koen holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Communication and Multimedia Design from Avans University in the Netherlands. Koen's <a href="https://www.koenvo.com/index.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">portfolio website Koenvo</a> was nominated for a <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/sites/koenvo-ui-ux-portfolio" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">2021 awwwards Award</a>.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/IOmtrbdOQZev1mS8Jc33" alt="undefined" width="650" height="433">&nbsp;Image by Freepik&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.
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<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/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Check out Paul's website</a> for more about his impressive portfolio and work history.
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<h3>6. Jana Galat - Writer / Brand Strategist - Canada</h3>
Jana Galat is a freelance copywriter and brand strategist from Ontario, Canada. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Organizational Studies from King's University College and an Honors in Business Administration from Western University.
Jana has extensive experience writing landing pages, email campaigns, social media ads, and print materials and says, "I am obsessed with creating copy that sells..."
After several years of professional work experience, Jana went freelance in 2019 and has quickly built a reputation as a <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01bfa17a48301876dd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with over $70k in platform earnings. Jana's rates start at $100 per hour for copywriting and brand consulting.
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<h3>7. Kate H. - Logo Designer / Branding Expert - United States</h3>
Kate is a freelance professional logo designer and branding expert from Maryland, United States. Kate&nbsp;ran her own green wedding brand which she sold to mywedding.com in 2014, allowing her to focus on helping small&nbsp;businesses figure out what they want (and who they are) and translate that into design.
She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management from Yale School of The Environment, and a J.D. in environmental law from Pace Law School.&nbsp;
Kate's skillset includes redesigning and updating material to make it easier to understand, building a consistent brand from a simple starting point like a logo, and creating unique logos that guarantee results.
Kate is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer, and her rates start at $225 per hour. You can find out more about Kate on her <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~013ce73876c1c18126" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Upwork profile</a>.
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<h3>8. Marcos Rezende - UX designer - Canada</h3>
Marcos Rezende is a UX Designer from Ontario, Canada, with more than 13 years of experience. Marcos has worked in over 30 industry sectors for multinational organizations in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Brazil.&nbsp;
Some of Marcos' notable projects include apps for Ontario's COVID-19 dashboard, Urban Master Planning collaboration platform, and Reaction (kid's e-learning app), to name a few.&nbsp;
Marcos loves sharing his industry expertise with aspiring UX designers and regularly writes for the popular UX publication Career Foundry. Total recognizes Marcos as part of its "Top 3%" of global freelancer talent&mdash;a title given to elite freelancers in their given field.
We don't have access to Marcos' rates, but the best UX designers on Upwork earn upwards of $100 per hour. As a Toptal Top 3% freelancer, Marcos likely charges $200-$300 per hour.
<a href="https://www.marcosrezende.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Marcos Rezende's website</a> was nominated for the prestigious <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/sites/ux-portfolio-marcos-rezende" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">awwwards.</a> in 2021.
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<h3>9. Tanya Litvinova - UX/UI Designer - United States</h3>
Tanya Litvinova is a freelance UX/UI designer from New York City, United States. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design / Communication Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Tanya specializes in product, mobile, and web design as well as user experience flow, research, and validation.
"I have a passion to make the complex simple, shape behavior, design, plan, and strategize. Aiming for the best user experience, all the while balancing the needs of business and technology to create engaging, habit-forming digital products."
Tanya has worked with Fortune 100 &amp; Fortune 500 companies and successfully delivered business-transforming data-driven analytics, responsive BI dashboards, enterprise web apps, and management systems. Some of Tanya's notable clients include KOCH Industries, BlackRock Financial, BCG Group, and FireEye, to name a few.
<a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0165035041b26e96df" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Tanya is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with more than $200k platform earnings. Her current rate starts at $162.50 per hour.
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<h3>10. Guangming Lang - Data Scientist - United States</h3>
Guangming Lang is a freelance data scientist from Michigan, United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from New College of Florida and a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan. Guangming has also completed several Coursera courses in data science and machine learning.
Guangming has been a freelancer since 2013 and has worked across several industries, including fintech, trading, medicine, biotech, advertising, and HR.&nbsp;
Guangming is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. He's completed 216 jobs on Upwork totaling 3,805 hours! Guangming's current rates start at $200 per hour.
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<h2>Secure Freelancer Workflows With TeamPassword</h2>
No matter how talented or reputable the freelancers and contractors you hire, your company must use secure workflows to protect your digital assets.
Freelancers often need access to shared accounts and tools. Using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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.
On the Enterprise plan, you can even <a href="https://teampassword.com/one-time-secret?navbar=onetimesecret" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">share a one-time password link</a>.&nbsp;
<a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password generator</a> lets you create secure passwords between 12-32 characters using numbers, letters (uppercase/lowercase), and symbols.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/tj8gEkSCTwiowMUAocHy" alt="Built-in password generator.gif" width="400" height="305"> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Ready to onboard clients and freelancers securely with TeamPassword's robust password management solution? <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">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!

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