See the best way to come up with a new username. We break down types of usernames and give you the best username ideas out there.

See the best way to come up with a new username. We break down types of usernames, why ...

How to Make a Good Username | Create a Unique and Secure Username

See the best way to come up with a new username. We break down types of usernames, why secure usernames are important, and how to create them effectively!

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It might be the over-burdened interface or the price, or maybe you're just comparing your options before you commit. Whatever has you looking for Dashlane alternatives, we've got you covered.&nbsp;
Our list of the top seven Dashlane alternatives explores the password managers that excel where Dashlane falls short.&nbsp;
<h2>What to Look For in a Dashlane Alternative</h2>
Before diving in, consider these security must-haves:
When searching for Dashlane alternatives, there are a few features to keep in mind.&nbsp;
Look for an alternative that provides robust protection against hackers and identity theft. Data encryption is essential in providing this security layer.&nbsp;
<h3>Other Features to Consider Include:</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Multi-device compatibility: make sure the Dashlane alternative you choose can sync and store your data across all of your devices, no matter where you are.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Industry-standard encryption: Dashlane's password manager feature helps users protect their online accounts with strong, unique passwords. Look for a Dashlane alternative that offers the same level of protection, so your private information remains safe and secure.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Auto-fill/autocomplete: Dashlane's autofill feature makes signing into websites and filling out forms a breeze. Look for an alternative that provides the same convenience.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Easy Setup: Dashlane's setup process is straightforward, so look for a Dashlane alternative that also makes it simple to get up and running quickly.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>What are the cons of Dashlane?</h2>
We&rsquo;ve already mentioned the limitations of passwords and devices with the free version.
In 2023, Dashlane further axed the capabilities of its free version, allowing&nbsp;25 records on 1 device. If you're just looking for a free password manager for solo users, you'll definitely want to avoid Dashlane.&nbsp;
You get more features with the paid version, but it's one of the most expensive password managers currently available. And depending on your use case, you might be paying for features you don't need. For example, you may not need a built-in VPN. If you're a business, you may want unlimited collection sharing and an SSO capability, but you don't need all the other add-ons that justify the $8/user/month price tag.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>TeamPassword</h2>
TeamPassword aims to separate itself from other password managers with its intuitive interface and responsive customer support. Your password manager is a tool to make you more secure&nbsp;and more efficient.&nbsp;
TeamPassword's clean interface, advanced security, and team-oriented features like unlimited password groups make it a strong contender for any business. It's also <a href="https://teampassword.com/pricing" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">much cheaper</a> than Dashlane.&nbsp;
<h3>TeamPassword Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Ease of use - Its simple design makes it easy to share passwords with new team members without needing additional training.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Responsive Customer Support - The chat feature provides live customer support with a real member the TeamPassword team.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Seamless Sharing - Share logins and passwords with a group of team members, an external collaborator group, or the entire team.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Secure encryption - Protect your sensitive information on the web with secure encryption technology by hashing, salting, and encrypting it locally, before transmitting it to the server via an encrypted channel.</li>
</ul>

<h2>LastPass</h2>
<a href="https://www.lastpass.com/how-lastpass-works" data-gc-link="https://www.lastpass.com/how-lastpass-works" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">LastPass</a> is another Dashlane alternative that offers multi-device compatibility, and easy setup. With LastPass, you can store login credentials for all of your online accounts in one secure place, so you never have to worry about forgetting a password again.&nbsp;
The app also comes with auto-fill and autocomplete capabilities, so you can sign into websites and fill out forms faster. Plus, LastPass's secure sharing feature allows users to share passwords and other private information with trusted contacts.&nbsp;
However, a <a href="https://www.makeuseof.com/how-many-times-lastpass-hacked/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">series of security incidents</a> has left <a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2023/09/lastpass-horse-gone-barn-bolted-is-strong-password/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">security experts around the globe</a> urging users to stay away from Lastpass. Maybe the slew of features is worth it, but you should know how they've handled security incidents so far.
<h3>LastPass Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Reset lost master password with local recovery key</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Additional add-ons available if you're willing to pay more - could be a pro or con for your business</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">A local encryption method - LastPass never accesses or stores your master password or the keys used to encrypt and decrypt data.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Multiple factor Authentication - Adding multi-factor authentication to your LastPass account adds an extra layer of security.</li>
</ul>
<h2>1Password</h2>
Over 100,000 businesses and millions of customers rely on<a href="https://1password.com/tour/" data-gc-link="https://1password.com/tour/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank"> 1Password</a> to protect their most sensitive data.&nbsp;
1Password's <a href="https://support.1password.com/1password-security/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">security model</a> is currently regarded as one of the safest - or, shall we say, most breach-resilient - of all cloud-based password managers.&nbsp;
1Password has several plans that cover most use-cases, though they do not offer a free tier.&nbsp;
1Password pricing starts at $2.99 for an individual account, and up to $7.99/user for the Enterprise tier with its advanced features.&nbsp;
<h3>1Password Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Watchtower alerts you to sites without two-factor authentication or using insecure HTTP</li>
<li>A secret key is combined with your password to encrypt your account, making it extra secure</li>
<li>All the features you need to share passwords securely</li>
</ul>
<h2>Nordpass</h2>
<a href="https://nordpass.com/homepage/" data-gc-link="https://nordpass.com/homepage/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">NordPass</a> is another Dashlane alternative that allows you to save your passwords and credit cards, share logins with co-workers, and check if your emails were breached.
Developed by Nord Security, the same company behind NordVPN, NordLayer, and NordLocker, this app is a great solution if you&rsquo;re already in that ecosystem.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;ll allow you to better understand how their systems work and how to use them to your advantage. If you have questions, you can simply reach out to one customer service center&mdash;not several.
<h3>Nordpass Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Password saving made easy - Prompts you every time you log into a new website or create an online account to save your password.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Passwords sync automatically - NordPass works across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Keep track of important things - You can use Secure Notes to store passwords, alarm codes, and other important information.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Unlimited password storage - Organize all your passwords in one secure location.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Bitwarden</h2>
<a href="https://bitwarden.com/" data-gc-link="https://bitwarden.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Bitwarden</a> is great if you&rsquo;re looking for a way to drive collaboration and boost productivity. They have tons of features that make things buttery smooth.
Also, it's open-source software, so it&rsquo;s a pretty popular choice for businesses and individuals to manage their online information. Open-source means that if you want to review, audit, or contribute to the Bitwarden codebase, you can.
You can also host it yourself if you don&rsquo;t want to use the Bitwarden cloud.
If you need a free plan for individual use, Bitwarden is one of the best.&nbsp;
<h3>Bitwarden Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Open source - some people prefer this mode of development, since anyone can verify the security of the application</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Unlimited passwords and devices - Access via mobile, browser, and desktop.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Directly share encrypted information - With Bitwarden Send, users can send encrypted data directly to others while maintaining end-to-end encryption security.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Password protection is just the beginning - Protect all types of sensitive data, transmit it securely, and view vault health reports.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Keeper Password Manager</h2>
<a href="https://www.keepersecurity.com/" data-gc-link="https://www.keepersecurity.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Keeper Password Manager</a> is all about protecting every business&mdash;large or small. It&rsquo;s a popular option because it&rsquo;s an easy-to-use platform that unifies critical components of identity and access management.&nbsp;
And you can do some pretty technical things with Keeper. With just a few clicks, you can protect, manage, and share passwords, files, and metadata across your organization. It's also possible to access your infrastructure directly without a VPN.
<h3>Keeper Password Manager Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Broad Authentication Options: Keeper supports a wide range of authentication methods for secure logins. This includes traditional 2FA via SMS or authenticator apps, but also U2F security keys and even biometric logins through Windows Hello or TouchID on desktops. For added convenience, they also offer KeeperDNA, a 2FA method that utilizes your smartwatch.</li>
<li>Secure File Storage: Beyond passwords, Keeper allows secure storage of other sensitive documents and files within its encrypted vault. This offers a central location for managing various types of confidential data.</li>
<li>Emergency Access: Keeper provides an "Emergency Access" feature that lets you designate trusted individuals to access your vault in case of an emergency. This ensures someone you trust can reach important information if needed.</li>
</ul>
<h2>KeePass</h2>
<a href="https://sourceforge.net/projects/keepass/" data-gc-link="https://sourceforge.net/projects/keepass/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">KeePass</a> is another open-source password manager developed for Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. If you want total customizability for the cheapest price - free - then KeePass is an excellent choice.
However, if you want to install a browser extension and start auto-filling your Instagram password in minutes, KeePass is not a great choice.
For the technically confident, KeePass can be set up to run locally on your device - no syncing your vault to a third-party server. This has its cons, but it does keep your password vault entirely under your control. KeePass can even be run from a flash drive.&nbsp;
<h3>KeePass Features:</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Highly customizable - particularly useful for storing data other than website logins.&nbsp;</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Strong security - AES encryption, SHA-256 hash, protection against dictionary and guessing attacks, and in-memory security.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Password generator - Creates passwords using character sets and patterns.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Flexible and efficient organization - Entry groups, tags, time fields, and attachments.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Which Password Manager is Best For You?</h2>
When it comes to Dashlane alternatives, it&rsquo;s important to consider your current roadblocks and pick the one that solves them.&nbsp;
Some may offer all the features you're looking for, while others offer a bit less but might be more budget-friendly. At the end of the day, it&rsquo;s all about weighing the pros and cons. What&rsquo;s right for your particular use case?
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/Bjgh1sDQuVACKKM80mZg" alt="undefined" width="409" height="409">
TeamPassword is the most intuitive password manager for teams, backed by the best customer support. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Try TeamPassword for free</a> today!
</div>
</div>
</div>

Looking for a Dashlane alternative? Check out our list of the top 7 password managers, including options for both individuals and businesses.

Here are our top password managers that are great Dashlane alternatives! Learn about pros and cons, and how ...

Dashlane Alternatives

Here are our top password managers that are great Dashlane alternatives! Learn about pros and cons, and how each of them differ from Dashlane.

Top 7 Dashlane Alternatives

Look, we all love the shiny promise of a new year. Fresh starts, new tech toys &ndash; it's enough to make you do a celebratory fist pump. But hold on a sec, because while we're busy geeking out over the latest gadgets, cybercriminals are hatching some seriously nasty schemes. Don't get me wrong, the internet's a goldmine for convenience, but it's also a jungle crawling with digital predators.
<h2>Fake and Counterfeit Products</h2>
Online shopping is booming, and cybercriminals are seizing the opportunity. Remember the <a href="https://www.kgw.com/article/news/investigations/oregon-man-selling-fake-counterfeit-n95-masks-covid-charged-federal/283-b6f99c61-ee64-4e62-a25b-d21cc898b85d" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">fake N95 mask sellers</a> of 2023? Get ready for a new wave of tactics. Today's scammers target trending products &ndash; that hot new VR headset everyone's talking about? Fake listings abound. They'll create fake shipping labels, send phony delivery notifications, and do everything to deflect blame when your "cutting-edge meditation lamp" never arrives.
Here's the key: if a deal seems unbelievable, it probably is. Read reviews, stick to reputable retailers, and use a credit card with robust fraud protection. Don't let these digital pirates steal your money and leave you empty-handed.
<h2>Pretend Puppies and Other Pet Scams</h2>
With a large uptick in people turning to the internet to make purchases, many families in recent months have turned to the internet to adopt a pet into their household. This has led to a fivefold increase in pet-related scams, where con artists most often create websites to advertise animals up for adoption that, in the end, don't exist.
The average consumer loses <a href="https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/outreach/awareness-months/denver-woman-warns-others-after-losing-1000-in-online-puppy-scam/520-1cf9e9e9-617b-42d1-9a21-6b721530a699" target="_blank" rel="noopener">around $1,000</a> to these types of scams and pretend puppies are the most common culprit. However, parrots, cats, and other animals can also be involved in these scams, so you should&nbsp;always do your due diligence.&nbsp;
The pandemic has become a great excuse for not allowing a family to see a pet in person before adoption, and it's also given rise to fraudulent money requests to cover transport cages, shipping costs, and special vaccinations. Pets aren't the only lure, either. A variety of threats have <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/covid-password-management-technologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arisen from the pandemic</a>.
<h2>Work-from-Home Scams</h2>
Ah, the work-from-home dream. Flexible hours, sweatpants as your new work uniform &ndash; it's enough to make you want to do a celebratory fist pump.
But reef the sail, sailor, because lurking in the shadows of this digital utopia are cybercriminals just itching to exploit your desire for a comfy home office. Legitimate remote work opportunities exist, but before you start picturing yourself sipping margaritas by the pool while cranking out reports, let's talk about how to <a href="https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/work-from-home-scams/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">sniff out the work-from-home scams</a> and avoid becoming yesterday's news.
While these scams often seek to steal sensitive data through phishing and other tactics, they can also try to leach funds from victims, too.
If you're applying for any job opportunity and you receive a "company check" with instructions to cash it right away, don't fall for it. Scammers will ask for you to cash it and then send back a large portion of it using a wire transfer or gift card. They then tell you to purchase equipment with the remainder, but by the time they've received the money you've sent, the check bounces and you're out of cash. Even if the check seemingly clears, no real employer would ever ask you to go through these steps, and the scammer surely has something up their sleeve.
<h2>Government Impersonation Scams</h2>
Across North America, one of the most expensive and widespread scams involves impersonation of government officials. These imposters, often posing as representatives of the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Services Canada, love to play on fear. They'll hit you with threats of legal action, hoping to pressure you into divulging personal information or sending them money.
Here's the golden rule: legitimate government agencies will never use scare tactics. They certainly won't ask for your social security number over the phone, and they definitely won't demand immediate payment via gift card (because, seriously, who does that?).
When Doubt Creeps In, Hang Up and Investigate
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a government official and they start wielding the legal action hammer, don't panic. Hang up. Take a deep breath, and resist the urge to react impulsively. Instead, verify the caller's information directly. Look for the official phone number of the agency they supposedly represent and contact them yourself to inquire about the issue. Never call back the number displayed on your caller ID &ndash; that could be a one-way ticket to Scam City.
<h2>Protect Yourself Everywhere On The Web</h2>
These scams are a masterclass in how cybercriminals adapt their tactics. They exploit our desire for a good job, the joy of a furry friend, and the fear of getting in trouble with the law. The key to staying safe? Active due diligence. Research any job offer thoroughly, never send money upfront for a pet you haven't met in person, and remember, the IRS isn't going to threaten you with jail time over the phone.
One of the most effective ways to fortify your online defenses is to utilize <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-password-security-teampassword#createstrongpasswords:~:text=Step%202%3A%20Create%20Passwords%20that%20Do%20Their%20Job" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">strong, unique passwords</a> for every single account. This significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to data breaches and credential stuffing attacks.
Consider a password manager like <a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a> &ndash; it's like having a personal security detail for all your login information.
TeamPassword is pleasantly intuitive, frustratingly secure (for threat actors), and predictably affordable. Before you get too excited, <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">use TeamPassword's free trial</a> - no strings attached.&nbsp;
By staying informed, exercising caution, and implementing basic security practices, you can navigate the digital world with confidence, leaving cybercriminals with nothing but frustration and maybe a slightly bruised ego.

Criminals have become more and more sophisticated with each passing year. Here are the cybersecurity threats and scams to avoid in 2024.

Criminals have become more and more sophisticated with each passing year. Here are the cybersecurity threats and scams ...

Avoid these 2024 Scams

The Covid-19 pandemic forced many business leaders and organizations to develop new strategies to accomplish daily tasks and achieve future goals efficiently. One of the most prominent factors contributing to the need for change is the transition of most of the workforce moving to a home or hybrid office. However, one thing that didn't change much is&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/common-password-problems-faced-small-organizations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">password problems</a>.
In fact, with a largely&nbsp;remote workforce, password problems have grown exponentially. The reason for this is twofold.
One: Hundreds of thousands of remote workers are contributing to password insecurity by not using strong passwords on their home office computers.
Two: Hackers and cybercriminals have increased their efforts on this new crop of targets, successfully breaching a system or network utilizing everything from sophisticated malware to basic phishing emails.
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/passkey-technology" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Passkey technology</a> trivializes the fundamental flaw with passwords: namely, that the necessary habits for passwords to work as a secure authentication method (never reuse passwords, always use the longest random password possible) are unenforceable and inconvenient without additional software.&nbsp;
But passkeys are not without their detractors, and new technology means new policies and handbooks before corporations adopt it in the workplace.
Machine learning is all the rage - at least, according to companies with a vested interest in it - and while <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/machine-learning-for-cybersecurity#:~:text=The%20Machine%20Learning%20Double%2DEdged%20Sword" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">it has its applications in cybersecurity,</a> machine learning is going to create as many cybersecurity problems as it solves. 
&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">Try a free trial with a password manager </a>and improve password security.
<h2>Password Insecurity In and Out of The Office</h2>
Password insecurity was a significant problem even before the pandemic. As much as business leaders knew that&nbsp;cybersecurity was important, they failed to engage proper cybersecurity protocols or educate employees on the importance of strong passwords. In recent years, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://enterprise.verizon.com/resources/reports/dbir/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data breach investigations</a>, over 80% of data breaches occur due to poor passwords.
Password problems have persisted at home; according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://services.google.com/fh/files/blogs/google_security_infographic.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google survey</a> from 2019, 65% of people continue to reuse the same password for multiple online accounts. Many do so simply because they don't want to waste time trying to come up with and remember multiple passwords. Others do it simply because they don't believe they will fall victim to a hacker or cybercriminal. This blatant password insecurity is exactly what cybercriminals are counting on.
<h2>Why Password Problems Continue</h2>
Many business leaders and employers, working both in the office and/or remotely, feel that spending too much time managing passwords for multiple accounts is a waste of time. In an age where speed and ease of use is a top priority for many, spending a few extra seconds to log into an account using 2FA can seem like a frustrating inconvenience.
Yet IT professionals providing services to companies of all sizes, in all industries, know firsthand why a strong password for each account is not only essential but also a critical factor in reducing security risks and preventing data breaches. Despite this knowledge and despite IT professionals' efforts to alert business leaders to the risks associated with password insecurity, weak, easy-to-guess passwords are still in use and mishandled often.
A lack of education about <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/spear-phishing#:~:text=members%20of%20staff.-,How%20do%20you%20prevent%20spear%20phishing%20attacks%3F,-The%20fact%20is" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">phishing emails</a> or risky downloads from untrusted sources is also a primary factor leading to data breaches, as is email and social media account hacking or signing in to sensitive accounts while on a public Wi-Fi network.
<h2>A Solution to Password Problems</h2>
While 2FA is undoubtedly a major deterrent to hackers and cybercriminals, many individuals opt not to use it. It still doesn't solve the problem of weak passwords being utilized for multiple accounts. The solution, therefore, is a&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/why-do-i-need-a-password-manager" target="_blank" rel="noopener">password manager</a>&nbsp;&mdash; a secure way to store and share logins and passwords for both work and personal use.
A good password manager will eliminate the frustration in having to create and remember multiple passwords, as well as save time logging in to different sites. Users need remember only one login and password combination, and the password manager will do the rest, ensuring smooth operations and advanced security.
Using a password manager also significantly reduces the amount of password use by team members and remote workers, leaving little chance for mishandling of passwords and keeping data protected from those who are unauthorized to access it.
Companies and organizations that have already understood and responded to the need for stronger cybersecurity action are utilizing TeamPassword, a password manager that offers a variety of plan options to suit the needs of any business. A&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">password generator</a>&nbsp;also enables team leaders to create strong passwords with ease quickly. Additional tools serve to&nbsp;increase productivity, speed up onboarding, and help employees avoid setting up duplicate accounts.
See how easy it is up your password security. Try a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">no-strings-attached free trial</a> today!
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
Like 2FA, many other things can be done to decrease the risk of a data breach or the accidental download of malware. But the first line of defense is still a strong password. A company's network should never be put at risk simply because of a few seconds of inconvenience.

Passkeys and AI have altered the landscape since we published this article in 2021. But passwords are still a problem - and a password manager is still the solution.

Passkeys and AI have altered the landscape since we published this article in 2021. But passwords are still ...

The State of the Password Problem in 2024

The State of the Password Problem

Password managers are critical tools, especially for businesses that use a wide range of apps, platforms, and services daily. And while Keeper offers many benefits, it may not be the best option for you. In this guide, we compare and contrast several Keeper alternatives, so you can make the best choice for your team.
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet"><a href="#5featurestolookfor" rel="follow">5 Features to Look for in Password Manager Tools</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">#1. <a href="#teampassword" rel="follow">TeamPassword</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">#2. <a href="#1password" rel="follow">1Password</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">#3. <a href="#LastPass" rel="follow">LastPass</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">#4. <a href="#dashlane" rel="follow">Dashlane</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">#5. <a href="#bitwarden" rel="follow">Bitwarden</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">#6. <a href="#nordpass" rel="follow">NordPass</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">#7. <a href="#keepass" rel="follow">KeePass</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet"><a href="#whichpasswordmanager" rel="follow">Which Password Manager Tool Is Right for You?</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="5featurestolookfor">5 Features to Look for in Password Manager Tools</h2>
There are many password manager tools out there, but they're not all created equal. There are some key features you must look for when comparing Keeper alternatives.
<h3>#1. Intuitive User Interface</h3>
Working the password manager shouldn't be equivalent to rocket science. Instead, the tool you choose should have a simple and intuitive user interface. As a result, your team can focus less on entering passwords and more on important tasks.
<h3>#2. Easy Password Sharing</h3>
Still sharing passwords via a spreadsheet or another manual tool? A password manager simplifies password sharing by enabling you to share logins and passwords with specific team members or even external collaborators. Plus, you can remove access with just a couple of clicks.
<h3>#3. Robust Security</h3>
The best password managers include robust security features such as two-step verification and AES 256-bit encryption. Make sure the tool you choose is compliant with security standards such as ISO 27001, SOX, and PCI Level 1.
<h3>#4. Auto-Fill Capabilities</h3>
Using auto-fill, your password manager can automatically fill login forms with saved credentials. This further streamlines the login process, reducing the time it takes to switch apps.
<h3>#5. Multi-Device Support</h3>
You should choose a password manager tool that offers multi-device support. This means it's accessible on your team's laptops, mobile devices, or desktops. With full device support, your team can easily log in to their critical apps and services from anywhere.
<h2 id="teampassword" style="text-align: center;">#1. TeamPassword</h2>

<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/rpPzMTSMyzMUwfJKVwwH" alt="undefined" width="731" height="304">
<a href="https://teampassword.com/" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/a-better-alternative-to-your-current-password-manager" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">TeamPassword</a> is built for collaborative teams, including agencies managing multiple client passwords and small businesses looking to improve security across departments.
A feature that sets TeamPassword apart is its user-friendly interface, which simplifies navigation. Not only does this improve daily use, but it also results in simple onboarding when bringing on new team members.
TeamPassword is a streamlined tool that provides the features you need and nothing you don't. It's also affordable.
<a href="https://teampassword.com/pricing" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Pick the tier</a> that actually gives you what you want.
TeamPassword offers its yearly plans for just $1.66 per user per month for the first six months. After six months, the cost rises to $4.16 per month per user, with additional discounts based on plan size.
<h3>TeamPassword Features</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Easy accessibility: Team members can log in to their tools and services from virtually any device.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Intuitive user interface: The simple UI results in easy use and a high adoption rate for all the features.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Password sharing: Users can easily share passwords with team members or groups in just a couple of clicks. Access can also be restricted quickly.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Password generator: TeamPassword generates random, strong, and secure passwords on your behalf.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Security features: TeamPassword offers robust <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/features" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">security features</a> such as two-step verification and encryption.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1password" style="text-align: center;">#2. 1Password</h2>

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<a href="https://1password.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">1Password</a>, like Keeper, has an automatic form filler for convenience and provides cross-platform support, multi-factor authentication, a password generator, and strong data encryption. These similarities it shares with Keeper make it <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/1password-alternatives" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/1password-alternatives" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">a suitable alternative</a>.
1Password has no free plan, but you can try their premium plan for 14 days. After that, a personal plan costs $2.99. For businesses, the Teams Starter plan costs $19.95 per month for up to 10 people. The Business plan costs $7.99 per user/month.
<h3>1Password Features</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Travel mode: With this feature, you can temporarily remove sensitive information from devices when traveling.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Secure document storage: You can easily store sensitive documents like passports, insurance policies, and more, all encrypted and protected by a master password.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Watchtower: Built right into 1Password, Watchtower keeps track of website security concerns and alerts you so you can keep accounts safe.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="LastPass" style="text-align: center;">#3. LastPass</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/aikCpCNfScy1bkv5FPGf" alt="undefined" width="732" height="330">
<a href="https://www.lastpass.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">LastPass</a> has the tagline &ldquo;password management from anywhere," which means it prioritizes simple accessibility. Another feature that gives it an edge is its dark web monitoring, which alerts you when your information is at risk. It also reduces the number of passwords you must manage by providing the authenticator as a substitute.
For pricing, business plans are available. The Teams plan is priced at $4.00 per user/month, and the Business plan is priced at $6.00 per user/month.
<h3>LastPass Features</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Password generator: The generator provides strong passwords that are difficult to hack, further protecting your sensitive information.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Dark web monitoring: This feature alerts you when there has been a breach of your data so you can take the necessary steps to mitigate the risk.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Storage of digital records: LastPass Vault can store sensitive records such as social security numbers, insurance cards, and payment cards.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="dashlane" style="text-align: center;">#4. Dashlane</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/hpQroUUeT9ipTMZEsQGq" alt="undefined" width="730" height="309">
<a href="https://www.dashlane.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Dashlane</a>, <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/dashlane-alternatives" data-gc-link=" https://teampassword.com/blog/dashlane-alternatives" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">like other Keeper alternatives</a>, shares a host of features with Keeper, including a password generator and password sharing, autofill, and accessibility capabilities. These features are available to help with better organization, speed, and security of online activities. It also has a dark web monitoring feature that alerts you when a data breach occurs.
Starter pricing for Dashlane starts at $2.00 per seat/month for up to 10 users. Larger teams can use the "Team" package, which starts at $5.00 per seat/month.
<h3>Dashlane Features</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Password changer: This feature allows you to automatically update your passwords on supported websites with just a few clicks.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Dark web monitoring: This service scans the internet for compromised information and sends alerts if your data is found on the dark web.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Secured note: You can save sensitive information like passport numbers or sensitive business details within the app and grant access only to trusted parties.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="bitwarden" style="text-align: center;">#5. Bitwarden</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/3xJkMQFRScNT374cvODA" alt="undefined" width="739" height="306">
<a href="https://bitwarden.com/" data-gc-link="https://bitwarden.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bitwarden</a> is a Keeper alternative that shares similar features like strong encryption, password generation, unlimited device syncing, and zero-knowledge encryption. Security and ease are two top priorities for Bitwarden, which are essential features of password management tools.
While Bitwarden offers personal and family pricing plans, they also offer business pricing starting at $3.00 per user/month.
<h3>Bitwarden Features</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Bitwarden Send: This feature allows you to share encrypted information with another person, like passwords or credit card details, and set a self-destruct timer for it.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Secure Notes: This feature serves as secure storage for other types of information that are not passwords.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Vault health reports: These reports analyze the strength and security of your passwords and provide a score for each one. Using this data, you can mitigate future security concerns involving passwords.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="nordpass" style="text-align: center;">#6. NordPass</h2>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/GAnmlMPTQaW9cBCBgFxO" alt="undefined" width="733" height="337">
This alternative provides cross-platform access while generating and storing passwords with no storage limits. In addition, it helps store sensitive information securely and organize it into folders for easy and quick access.
<a href="https://nordpass.com/" data-gc-link="https://nordpass.com/" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">NordPass</a> offers a free version for personal accounts and a paid premium account. As for business pricing, the two-year plan costs $3.59 per user/month with a free trial.
<h3>NordPass Features</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Unlimited password, credit card, and note storage: There's no storage limit to the number of passwords or other data you can store in your vault.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Data breach scanner: The scanner alerts you when emails or passwords have been found in a data breach.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Multi-factor authenticator: NordPass uses time-based one-time password (TOTP) and universal two-factor (U2F) authentication to secure your data.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="keepass" style="text-align: center;">#7. KeePass</h2>
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<a href="https://keepass.info/index.html" data-gc-link="https://keepass.info/index.html">KeePass</a> is an open-source alternative. Like Keeper, it has a strong password generator. It also auto-fills forms for easy login and imports logins from browsers. Unlike Keeper, it's a free option for protecting your passwords.
KeePass can be used for both personal and business purposes. If you&rsquo;re looking for free password manager tools for a large team, this is a good option. However, it will require more technical expertise than other password managers.
<h3>KeePass Features</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Random password generator: KeePass generates strong passwords and allows you to determine the parameters of those passwords.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Multiple user keys: One master password can be used to decrypt the database. You can also use key files, which are often more secure than master passwords.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Import and export from many file formats: This allows data from other programs to be easily imported into KeePass and its database to be used in other applications.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="whichpasswordmanager">Which Password Manager Tool Is Right for You?</h2>
A password manager tool can help you protect your organization's sensitive data. However, all organizations are different&mdash;the right password manager for you will meet your specific needs.
For example, you'll want to make sure the manager is compatible with the apps and services you currently use. You'll also want to choose a tool that fits your security requirements and budget.
<h2>Take TeamPassword for a Test Drive Today</h2>
If you&rsquo;re looking for a solution that's designed specifically for teams with strong encryption algorithms, customizable access controls, and responsive customer support, TeamPassword is a great choice. <a href="https://teampassword.com/pricing" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/pricing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Try TeamPassword today</a> to see how it can help your team securely store, share, and manage your passwords.

Looking for Keeper alternatives? Here, we break down some of the top password manager tools for keeping your passwords secure.

Looking for Keeper alternatives? Here, we break down some of the top password manager tools for keeping your ...

Top 7 Keeper Alternatives for 2024

Dedicated password managers have become an <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-best-ways-to-store-passwords-2023" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">essential tool in the complex modern climate</a>. These advanced programs provide organizational teams with the technology to safeguard their most valuable assets while enhancing collaboration across various locations. Security is a priority when selecting the safest password manager, with encryption being a fundamental prerequisite.&nbsp;
Encryption is standard across most password managers nowadays (and certainly any you'll find on a top 10 list), but secondary security features vary. These varying standards result in disparate outcomes for password protection in the long term.<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener"></a>

<h2>KeePass - Offline Portable Vault</h2>
For the tech-savvy user who wants maximum control of their password vault's security, <a href="https://keepass.info/features.html" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">KeePass</a> is an excellent choice.&nbsp;
There's no question the UI is outdated - perfect if you're looking to inject some Windows XP nostalgia into your workflow!
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/Z72ndAjXSae1dMMDDm2n" alt="undefined" width="435" height="299">
Image: KeePass
But with the ability to run from a USB stick with zero installation and adjust numerous other parameters, KeePass is excellent as a personal, maximum-security password vault.&nbsp;
This is an article on the safest password managers - not the most convenient ones - so I'll briefly say that KeePass isn't a great choice for anyone who wants a modern, intuitive password manager with sharing.&nbsp;

<h2>1Password - Reinforced Master Password</h2>
<a href="https://1password.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">1Password</a> has developed a reputation as one of the most secure password managers on the market - particularly since <a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2023/09/experts-fear-crooks-are-cracking-keys-stolen-in-lastpass-breach/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">the downfall of LastPass</a>.&nbsp;
1Password password managers comply with the latest regulations of the European Union&rsquo;s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). The password solution offers end-to-end user AES-GCM-256 encryption and transparent user features that facilitate auditing needs. The safe password manager applies PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 standards in safeguarding the master password.&nbsp;
As an added precaution, 1Password's password manager features a 34-letter secret key stored in the apps and browsers used to sign in to a 1Password account. Users require the secret key to access passwords stored on the platform.
Additionally, 1Password provides extra safety features such as clipboard management (which prevents malicious parties from copying pasted credential data) and auto-lock functions that deter unauthorized access into the program.&nbsp;The password manager requires code signature validation (signed by&nbsp;a registered developer), to determine a browser's security before access.

<h2>StickyPassword - Flexible Security Options</h2>
StickyPassword&rsquo;s password manager runs on the AES-256 encryption and added security with PBKDF2 to prevent unauthorized external access. Additionally, the password solution offers two-factor authentication and fingerprint scanning for biometric verification.&nbsp;StickyPassword provides users with the option of storing and syncing data remotely on the program&rsquo;s cloud or via secure local drives.&nbsp;
The password manager&rsquo;s dashboard notifies users of inactive or old passwords that require action to enhance password security. As such, StickPassword can help organizations eliminate the risks of network attacks via inactive account pathways. StickPassword currently requires users to save the program in an external drive if they intend to use it across multiple devices, limiting mobile friendliness.&nbsp;

<h2>TeamPassword - Secure password sharing for teams</h2>
TeamPassword&rsquo;s <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">comprehensive encryption standards</a> include ISO 27001, SOC 1 and SOC 2/SSAE 16/ISAE 3402 (Previously SAS 70 Type II), PCI Level 1, FISMA Moderate, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX). TeamPassword allows administrators to enforce two-step verification across the organization, maximizing its users' security.&nbsp;
TeamPassword applies regular vulnerability sweeps across user accounts to detect and eliminate common cyber threats such as malware and spyware. The password manager features an intuitive dashboard where teams can actively monitor activity/audit logging that maximizes user accountability in maintaining best practices.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/0ZFbxxgDQqqGepoXa8jT" alt="undefined" width="698" height="145">
The password manager keeps password details hashed, salted, and encrypted on your local device and transferred through online servers via encrypted connections. Users have peace of mind knowing that their credentials will stay protected, away from opportunistic external parties.&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">Sign up for a trial </a>to provide leading encrypted protection for your precious assets.

<h2>NordPass - Novel Encryption Method</h2>
NordPass allows users to replace their master password with a biometric fingerprint login. The process provides improved security through a one-touch interface on smart devices.&nbsp;
Premium users have access to NordPass&rsquo;s data breach scanner, which scans potentially breached credentials and tracks them to the source. Users with a premium plan may also access the password manager&rsquo;s health checker, detecting passwords at risk. These fall under three categories - weak, reused, and old (passwords used for 90 days or more), which require replacements for optimized security.&nbsp;
NordPass provides the safest password manager that features the XChaCha20 encryption algorithm. The XChaCha20 requires less set-up time than AES-256 and works significantly faster on systems without AES hardware compatibility.&nbsp;
Although the XChaCha20 functions smoothly on desktop systems, the technology is still in development among mobile platforms.

<h2>Additional Features of TeamPassword&rsquo;s Solution</h2>
In addition to TeamPassword&rsquo;s secure encryption features, the platform enables users to easily access passwords through the browser extension for&nbsp;Chrome and Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Brave etc), Firefox, and Safari.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/0gCOt5oQBCE1vxckmRZC" alt="TP extension in action GIF (video) (1).gif" width="825" height="464">
Organizational teams can quickly add or remove user passwords from the TeamPassword system, facilitating secure collaborations with external vendors and partners.&nbsp;
Additionally, first-time users may effectively create, store, and apply strong passwords with the solution&rsquo;s built-in password generator. The process helps users avoid the significant security <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-password-security-teampassword" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">risks of weak passwords</a> commonly exploited by sophisticated cybercriminals.
For added protection, TeamPassword&rsquo;s password manager enables users to receive email notifications for specific user activities. These may include every time a login gets deleted or a new team member joins a group. As such, users can expect optimal password management transparency at all times.&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">Sign up for a trial</a> to protect your most valuable credentials with the safest password manager on the market.&nbsp;

The safest password manager offers users the highest standards in encryption technology. Discover 5 of the best, and which is right for you.

The safest password manager offers users the highest standards in encryption technology. Discover how TeamPassword goes the extra ...

Top 5 Safest Password Managers

The safest password manager offers users the highest standards in encryption technology. Discover how TeamPassword goes the extra mile.

Technology advances minute by minute, and so do cybersecurity threats. To best protect your business from nasty risks such as cybercriminal hacks and data leaks, there are cybersecurity best practices your employees must follow. After all, they're the first line of defense.
In this guide, we discuss 10 non-negotiable cybersecurity best practices for employees. Plus, we share the most common threats to businesses today, so you know exactly what to watch out for.
But first, here are the key things to know about cybersecurity best practices: 
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Businesses today are susceptible to many cybersecurity threats, from data breaches and ransomware to social engineering.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">One of the most critical risks affecting businesses today is the rapidly expanding digital landscape. Businesses are now using the cloud, IoT devices, and more, all of which must be secured.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Employees are the first line of defense against cybersecurity risks. They must follow best practices such as developing strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and installing antivirus software.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Employers must train employees on these best practices through monthly or quarterly cybersecurity training.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">One of the quickest ways to boost data security now is by implementing a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/features" href="https://teampassword.com/features">password manager</a>. Employees can use the manager to share, store, and manage passwords securely from anywhere.</li>
</ul>
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#whatare" rel="follow">What Are the Cybersecurity Threats for Businesses?</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#10cybersecurity" rel="follow">10 Cybersecurity Best Practices for Employees</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#howshould" rel="follow">How Should Employers Train Employees to Ensure Cyber Safety?</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="whatare">What Are the Cybersecurity Threats for Businesses?</h2>
Due to the nature of technology, many cybersecurity threats exist for businesses in all industries, from data breaches to social engineering.
<h3>Data Breaches</h3>
These threats occur when an unauthorized party gains access to your critical business data. Breaches can be especially costly and difficult to recover from.
According to IBM's <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach" href="https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach">Cost of a Data Breach</a> report, 83% of companies will experience a data breach (some more than once). And the average cost of a data breach has now reached $9.44 million in the US, which is over $5 million more than the global average.
<h3>Ransomware &amp; Social Engineering</h3>
Ransomware is a type of malware used by cybercriminals to prevent you from accessing your critical data. They gain access to your data using methods such as phishing, then require you to pay a ransom to get your access back. In 2022, there were 493.33 million reported <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.statista.com/statistics/494947/ransomware-attacks-per-year-worldwide/#:~:text=During%20the%20first%20half%20of,million%20cases%20to%20133%20million." href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/494947/ransomware-attacks-per-year-worldwide/#:~:text=During%20the%20first%20half%20of,million%20cases%20to%20133%20million.">ransomware attacks</a> globally.
Ransomware is a common <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-engineering.asp" href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-engineering.asp">social engineering</a> method, along with <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/five-most-common-password-attacks" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/five-most-common-password-attacks">baiting</a>, vishing, and pretexting. These methods are especially insidious as they use deception to trick your employees into giving up information.
<h3>An Expanding Digital Landscape</h3>
Businesses are constantly working to boost efficiency to deliver on consumer demands and remain competitive. This means many are taking advantage of innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud-based services, and AI.
And while innovation is critical to business success, it also brings additional threats. For example, this ever-expanding digital landscape results in many entry points, complicating access control.
<h2 id="10cybersecurity">10 Cybersecurity Best Practices for Employees</h2>
The above threats are only a few examples of the risks you must protect your organization from. To do so, your first step should be to work with your team to implement the below <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-the-most-important-topic-your-team-can-learn-about-this-year" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-the-most-important-topic-your-team-can-learn-about-this-year">cybersecurity</a> best practices.
<h3>#1. Develop Strong Passwords</h3>
Passwords stand between your business data and those who want to exploit it. This is why it's critical to develop complex passwords that are next to impossible to guess.
What does a strong password look like? Strong passwords are longer in length and feature both lowercase and capital letters. They also include special characters (#, !, etc.). Employees should avoid using personal information such as their name or date of birth.
Want an easy way to create robust passwords? TeamPassword's <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a> can help. Give it a try!
<h3>#2. Use a Password Manager</h3>
Having complex passwords is only the first step in protecting your data. You should also implement a password manager, a tool used to create, store, share, and manage credentials.
For example, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/features" href="https://teampassword.com/features">TeamPassword</a> enables you to store and manage all logins in one centralized location. This makes it easy for your employees to access the apps and services they need without sacrificing <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/security" href="https://teampassword.com/security">security</a>.
Plus, with TeamPassword, you can easily control who has access to what credentials and enable additional security layers through two-step verification.
<h3>#3. Don't Share Unencrypted Passwords</h3>
Employees should refrain from sharing unencrypted passwords via email, text, or other methods. Passwords sent this way can be easily compromised. For example, email accounts are relatively easy to hack, and cybercriminals have been known to successfully intercept emails and messages using the "<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/10-cyberattacks-recently-used-by-hackers-2023" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/10-cyberattacks-recently-used-by-hackers-2023">man in the middle</a>" technique.
Instead, employees should use an encrypted password manager to share their credentials. Encryption renders your passwords unreadable should a third party gain access to them.
<h3>#4. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication</h3>
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires employees to verify their identities using two or more methods. For example, after entering a password, your employee may need to authenticate using an app and enter a one-time password (OTP) sent via text to their device.
Using MFA, even if a third party gains access to a password, they won't be able to access the app or service without taking the other steps. And according to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2019/08/20/one-simple-action-you-can-take-to-prevent-99-9-percent-of-account-attacks/" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2019/08/20/one-simple-action-you-can-take-to-prevent-99-9-percent-of-account-attacks/">Microsoft</a>, implementing MFA prevents 99.9% of attacks on accounts.
<h3>#5. Avoid Suspicious Emails &amp; Links</h3>
One of the most common scams used by cybercriminals is phishing. This occurs when a scammer sends you an email or text message that compels you to give them information. And unfortunately, they're getting better at their craft.
For example, your employees may receive an email saying their credentials have been compromised, prompting them to log in using a fake website. Once the employee enters their info, the scammer now has access to it.
You should ensure your employees know what these phishing emails look like. For example, phishing emails may feature a lot of misspellings and not address the employee by name. They may also include a link to click on or an attachment to download.
To prevent phishing scams, employees should refrain from opening suspicious-looking emails (or texts) and clicking unknown links.
Read more: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide">What to Do If You've Been Hacked: An In-Depth Guide</a>
<h3>#6. Use a VPN</h3>
Do you have employees who work remotely from home or on the go? If so, you'll want to ensure they're using a VPN when accessing business apps and services.
A virtual private network (<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/25-best-startup-tools-you-need" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/25-best-startup-tools-you-need">VPN</a>) creates a secure and encrypted connection between the employee's device and your network.
A VPN works to encrypt the business data shared between the device and your network, keeping it private (even when using a public internet connection). As a result, your business data is protected from prying eyes.
<h3>#7. Don't Ignore Tech Updates</h3>
When your to-do list is a mile long, it's easy to hit "remind me later" when you see the "your device needs an update" pop-up. However, your employees should never ignore tech updates. Many device updates include security patches that are critical to protecting the device.
Whether on the phone they're using for business or their laptop, updates should be installed whenever they're available.
<h3>#8. Do Your Part to Prevent Viruses</h3>
Computer viruses come in all shapes and sizes, from macro viruses to resident viruses. Unfortunately, they can all be detrimental to your critical business information.
To understand the severity of the virus, consider the attacks of the past. For example, the infamous <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://usa.kaspersky.com/blog/cybersecurity-history-iloveyou/26869/" href="https://usa.kaspersky.com/blog/cybersecurity-history-iloveyou/26869/">ILOVEYOU</a> virus caused an estimated $10 billion in damage.
The best defense is virus protection. Employees must implement virus protection on all of the devices they use to access business data. Antivirus software can help prevent, detect, and eliminate viruses before they take hold.
<h3>#9. Implement Firewall Protection</h3>
Every device that can connect to the internet is a potential door that hackers can use to gain access to your data. This is where a firewall comes in.
Firewalls protect your data by monitoring the incoming and outgoing traffic on your organization's private network. The firewall can then permit or deny traffic based on the security rules you set.
Not only should you have firewall protection within your business, but your employees should implement firewalls in their home offices too. This ensures your data is protected, no matter where it's accessed.
<h3>#10. If You See Something, Say Something</h3>
Your employees are in the trenches of day-to-day work. They're the ones receiving suspicious emails, sharing passwords, and using your apps. They're also the ones more likely to spot a potential <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide">cybersecurity risk</a>.
Empower your employees to speak up when they see a potential threat. For example, ask your employees to alert you if they receive a suspicious email or if they notice passwords being shared via the team messaging app.
<h2 id="howshould">How Should Employers Train Employees to Ensure Cyber Safety?</h2>
While your employees are the first line of defense against cyber threats, it's your responsibility to ensure they're aware of the above best practices.
Regular <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/10-easy-cybersecurity-strategies-for-small-businesses" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/10-easy-cybersecurity-strategies-for-small-businesses">cybersecurity training</a> can ensure your employers are kept up-to-date on the latest threats and tactics to prevent them. We recommend holding training sessions monthly or quarterly.
In addition, make sure to communicate any security incidents or updates with your team. It's also helpful to share security tips and tricks with your team periodically to keep best practices top of mind.
For example, you could send out a weekly cybersecurity-related email newsletter or cover some quick tips in your weekly meetings.
<h2>Boost Your Team's Password Security With TeamPassword</h2>
By following these best practices, you can empower your team to do their part in protecting your business. The simplest way to get started is by implementing a password management tool.
TeamPassword was built for teams that need a simple and centralized way to store, share, and manage logins. Take control of your passwords by <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">signing up for TeamPassword</a> today!

Your employees are the first line of defense against cyber threats. Learn the cybersecurity best practices for employees here so you can protect your business.

Technology advances minute by minute, and so do cybersecurity threats. To best protect your business from nasty risks ...

10 Cybersecurity Best Practices Your Employees Must Follow

Technology advances minute by minute, and so do cybersecurity threats. To best protect your business from nasty risks such as cybercriminal hacks and data leaks, there are cybersecurity best practices your employees must follow. After all, they're the first line of defense. In this guide, we discuss 10 non-negotiable cybersecurity ...

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.
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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">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.
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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!

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

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

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

Top 5 Dangerous Ways to Store Your Passwords

Password encryption is essential to store user credentials stored in a database securely. Without password encryption, anyone accessing a user database on a company's servers (including hackers) could easily view any stored passwords.
Even a strong 32-character password created using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">secure password generator</a> is useless without password-encryption! If someone can read your password on a server, they can use it simply by copy/pasting it&mdash;no matter how long or complicated the password might be!
Encryption scrambles your password before saving it on the server. So, if someone hacks the server, instead of finding password123, they find a random series of letters and numbers.
In this article, we're going to explore the world of password encryption, why <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password">strong passwords matter</a>, and how you can practice better password management!
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> is the password management solution for small businesses! Create, store, and share login credentials safely with employees, contractors, and clients. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today!
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#understandingpasswordencryption" rel="follow">Understanding Password Encryption</a></li>
<li><a href="#howdoespasswordencryptionwork" rel="follow">How Does Password Encryption Work?</a></li>
<li><a href="#5commonpasswordencryptionmethods" rel="follow">5 Common Password Encryption Methods</a></li>
<li><a href="#whystrongpasswordsmatter" rel="follow">Why Strong Passwords Matter</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="understandingpasswordencryption">Understanding Password Encryption</h2>
To explain password encryption effectively, we must first grasp the language. Several terms might be unfamiliar, so here is a quick intro to password encryption terminology.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Key: Used to lock and unlock passwords using a random string of bits. You get private and public keys that crypt and decrypt data differently, but we won't get too deep in the weeds with keys!</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Bits: A logical state with one of two possible values, including 1/0, true/false, yes/no, or on/off as typical examples.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Block (block cipher): A deterministic algorithm operating on fixed-length groups of bits, called blocks.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hash function: The algorithm that uses the key to create password encryption and decryption. A hash function is essentially a piece of code that runs every time someone saves a password or logs into an application.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hash: A random series of numbers and letters representing your password. The hash function uses your hash instead of the raw password for authentication.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Salt: Additional letters and numbers appended to the hash</li>
</ul>
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<h2 id="howdoespasswordencryptionwork">How Does Password Encryption Work?</h2>
When you save a new password, a hash function creates a hash version and saves that on the server.&nbsp;
Every time you log in using your password, the hash function recreates the hash to see if it matches what's stored. If the hashes match, the algorithm passes the authentication and logs you in.&nbsp;
For example:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Original password: Pa$$w0rd123</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hashed password: 6AF1CE202340​FE71BDB914AD5357​E33A6982A63B</li>
</ul>
While this might seem secure, simple hashed passwords aren't hack-proof.
The hash function only creates a unique hash for each password, not each user. So, if multiple users have the password, Pa$$w0rd123, the hash will be exactly the same.
To overcome this encryption vulnerability, engineers salt passwords so each hash is unique, even if the passwords are identical.
<h3>How Salt Works</h3>
A salt appends a unique value of 8 bytes (16 characters) to the password before the hash function creates a hash. This way, even identical passwords are unique before the hash function.
For example:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Two identical passwords: Pa$$w0rd123</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Salt value one: E1F53135E559C253</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Salt value two: 84B03D034B409D4E</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password one before hash: Pa$$w0rd123E1F53135E559C253</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password two before hash: Pa$$w0rd12384B03D034B409D4E</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password one hashed value (SHA256): 72AE25495A7981​C40622D49F9A52E4F15​65C90F048F59027BD9​C8C8900D5C3D8</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password two hashed value (SHA256): B4B6603ABC670​967E99C7E7F1389E40​CD16E78AD38EB1468E​C2AA1E62B8BED3A</li>
</ul>
&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.
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<h2 id="whystrongpasswordsmatter">Why Strong Passwords Matter</h2>
Password encryption can only prevent criminals from viewing saved credentials stored on a server&mdash;but cannot prevent hackers from guessing weak/commonly used passwords. If you <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/colonial-pipeline-ransomware-attack-dont-reuse-passwords">reuse the same password for multiple accounts</a>, this also puts you at risk!
Encryption is most effective when users create robust, unique passwords for every account. For example, a random 32-character password with letters, numbers, and special characters hashed and salted is near impossible to guess or decode, even using a computer!
In another scenario, let's assume you have a strong 32-character password, but you use it for every account. If hackers manage to steal that password, they have access to every account using the same credentials! Your strong password is effectively useless.
<h3>Improving Your Password Management</h3>
Now that you understand password encryption and the associated vulnerabilities, you can see why strong passwords are essential.
Effective password management is crucial to protect yourself against cyberattacks or in the highly likely event of a data breach where hackers steal your credentials.
Criminals are after the low-hanging fruit&mdash;people who use weak passwords!
5 tips for creating stronger passwords:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Create strong passwords for every account. The easiest way to do this is using a password generator. <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">TeamPassword has a free password generator</a> anyone can use to create passwords from 12-32 characters using uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. We recommend creating passwords as long as the application will allow.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Never create passwords shorter than eight characters, with 12 being our recommended minimum.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Never reuse the same password for multiple accounts.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Never create passwords with your name, family member's names, or pet's names. With social media, this information is freely available. Criminals can add those names to algorithms for brute-force attacks.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Don't store passwords in digital notepads or spreadsheets. We recommend using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager like TeamPassword</a> to create and store your credentials.</li>
</ol>
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<h2>Why You Need a Password Manager like TeamPassword</h2>
We have so many accounts these days; it's almost impossible to create unique, memorable, secure passwords for each one. A password manager solves this problem.
Instead of remembering the credentials for every account, you only need to memorize the one to log into your password manager.&nbsp;
TeamPassword keeps all of your credentials safely stored and encrypted, so you never have to memorize a password again. Instead of entering your credentials, you use one of TeamPassword's browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, and Safari) to log into accounts.
<h3>Built for Teams</h3>
TeamPassword's best feature is its ability to share credentials with team members securely. Instead of sharing passwords, you provide access through TeamPassword.&nbsp;
Employees <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">use TeamPassword</a> to log in, meaning you never share raw passwords&mdash;no more worrying about unauthorized access or sharing.
You can create groups in TeamPassword to share access with employees, clients, contractors, and freelancers. When someone no longer needs access, remove them from the group with a single click. No need to change passwords every time someone leaves a project!
<h3>Built-In Password Generator</h3>
TeamPassword features a built-in secure password manager so you can create robust passwords for every account. TeamPassword also ensures you never reuse the same credentials so that you won't fall victim to credential stuffing attacks!
With a built-in password generator, you can change passwords regularly, and TeamPassword will update the new credentials for all users!
<h3>Monitor Login Activity</h3>
TeamPassword's activity log keeps track of every action across all of your accounts&mdash;logins, password changes, new team members, sharing access, and more.
You can also set up email notifications for all TeamPassword actions so that you can react fast to any suspicious activity.
<h3>Get Your Free TeamPassword Trial</h3>
Password encryption is not enough to protect your business from password vulnerabilities! You need a robust password manager like TeamPassword to create, store, and share credentials securely.
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<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> and let TeamPassword secure your company's digital assets.

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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