Password encryption is essential to store user credentials stored in a database securely. Without password encryption, anyone accessing a user database on a company's servers (including hackers) could easily view any stored passwords.
Even a strong 32-character password created using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">secure password generator</a> is useless without password-encryption! If someone can read your password on a server, they can use it simply by copy/pasting it&mdash;no matter how long or complicated the password might be!
Encryption scrambles your password before saving it on the server. So, if someone hacks the server, instead of finding password123, they find a random series of letters and numbers.
In this article, we're going to explore the world of password encryption, why <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password">strong passwords matter</a>, and how you can practice better password management!
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> is the password management solution for small businesses! Create, store, and share login credentials safely with employees, contractors, and clients. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today!
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#understandingpasswordencryption" rel="follow">Understanding Password Encryption</a></li>
<li><a href="#howdoespasswordencryptionwork" rel="follow">How Does Password Encryption Work?</a></li>
<li><a href="#5commonpasswordencryptionmethods" rel="follow">5 Common Password Encryption Methods</a></li>
<li><a href="#whystrongpasswordsmatter" rel="follow">Why Strong Passwords Matter</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="understandingpasswordencryption">Understanding Password Encryption</h2>
To explain password encryption effectively, we must first grasp the language. Several terms might be unfamiliar, so here is a quick intro to password encryption terminology.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Key: Used to lock and unlock passwords using a random string of bits. You get private and public keys that crypt and decrypt data differently, but we won't get too deep in the weeds with keys!</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Bits: A logical state with one of two possible values, including 1/0, true/false, yes/no, or on/off as typical examples.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Block (block cipher): A deterministic algorithm operating on fixed-length groups of bits, called blocks.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hash function: The algorithm that uses the key to create password encryption and decryption. A hash function is essentially a piece of code that runs every time someone saves a password or logs into an application.&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hash: A random series of numbers and letters representing your password. The hash function uses your hash instead of the raw password for authentication.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Salt: Additional letters and numbers appended to the hash</li>
</ul>
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<h2 id="howdoespasswordencryptionwork">How Does Password Encryption Work?</h2>
When you save a new password, a hash function creates a hash version and saves that on the server.&nbsp;
Every time you log in using your password, the hash function recreates the hash to see if it matches what's stored. If the hashes match, the algorithm passes the authentication and logs you in.&nbsp;
For example:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Original password: Pa$$w0rd123</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hashed password: 6AF1CE202340​FE71BDB914AD5357​E33A6982A63B</li>
</ul>
While this might seem secure, simple hashed passwords aren't hack-proof.
The hash function only creates a unique hash for each password, not each user. So, if multiple users have the password, Pa$$w0rd123, the hash will be exactly the same.
To overcome this encryption vulnerability, engineers salt passwords so each hash is unique, even if the passwords are identical.
<h3>How Salt Works</h3>
A salt appends a unique value of 8 bytes (16 characters) to the password before the hash function creates a hash. This way, even identical passwords are unique before the hash function.
For example:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Two identical passwords: Pa$$w0rd123</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Salt value one: E1F53135E559C253</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Salt value two: 84B03D034B409D4E</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password one before hash: Pa$$w0rd123E1F53135E559C253</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password two before hash: Pa$$w0rd12384B03D034B409D4E</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password one hashed value (SHA256): 72AE25495A7981​C40622D49F9A52E4F15​65C90F048F59027BD9​C8C8900D5C3D8</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Password two hashed value (SHA256): B4B6603ABC670​967E99C7E7F1389E40​CD16E78AD38EB1468E​C2AA1E62B8BED3A</li>
</ul>
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<h2 id="5commonpasswordencryptionmethods">5 Common Password Encryption Methods</h2>
<h3>1. Data Encryption Standard (DES)</h3>
While applications no longer use Data Encryption Standard (DES), it's important to mention this password encryption method because of its history and influence on more secure modern standards.
IBM developed DES as a 56-bit encryption technology in the early 1970s. The NSA adopted and improved DES before it was approved worldwide as the encryption standard.
However, since the late 70s, hackers have been able to break DES encrypted passwords. In 1999, ethical hackers managed to break a DES key in under 24 hours.&nbsp;
To make DES more secure, engineers created Triple DES and later Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which we still use today.
<h3>2. Triple DES</h3>
Triple DES uses three 56-bit keys (blocks) to create 168-bit encryption (some security experts argue that Triple DES is only 112 bits strong). Although Triple-DES is slowly being phased out, many financial institutions still use it to encrypt ATM PINs.
<h3>3. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)</h3>
AES is the new encryption standard&mdash;trusted by the United States Government and many other prominent organizations globally. At 128 bits, AES is sufficiently secure, but most organizations prefer heavy-duty 256-bit encryption.
At <a href="https://teampassword.com/security">TeamPassword</a>, we use 256-bit encryption to store passwords, ensuring the highest levels of security for our clients. We're also a <a href="https://teampassword.com/security">secure hosting provider</a> holding multiple security accreditations.
Hackers can only break an AES encrypted password through a brute-force attack&mdash;trying password combinations to find the right one.
To counter brute-force attacks, applications will lock an account after a certain number of attempts or use tools like Google's reCAPTURE.
<h3>4. Blowfish</h3>
American cryptographer, Bruce Schneier, designed Blowfish in 1993 as an antidote to the weak DES encryption. Blowfish uses a 64-bit block and variable key length of 32 to 448 bits.
Although Blowfish is more robust than its DES predecessor, the 64-bit block is still vulnerable to attacks, most commonly birthday attacks&mdash;a cryptographic attack that exploits the mathematics behind the algorithm.
To solve Blowfish vulnerabilities, engineers created Twofish in 1998 (128-bit blocks with 256-bit keys) and Threefish in 2008 (256, 516, 1024-bit blocks with 256, 516, 1024-bit keys).
<h3>5. Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA)</h3>
RSA is one of the oldest and widely used to transfer data securely. The encryption works with two keys, two large prime numbers, and an additional auxiliary value.
Due to the complicated encrypting and decrypting process, there is no known method for breaking RSA encryption.&nbsp;
Although widely used for transferring data, RSA is slow and not suitable for password encryption.
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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.
&rlm;&rlm;&lrm; &lrm;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> and let TeamPassword secure your company's digital assets.

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

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

What is password encryption and how much is enough?

What is password encryption and how does it work?

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Hackers have dumped a mind-boggling 3.2 billion Gmail, Hotmail, Netflix, and LinkedIn usernames and passwords on the dark web. Cybersecurity experts have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-national/treasure-trove-hackers-3-billion-passwords-exposed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dubbed</a>&nbsp;the record-setting data breach "the mother of all leaks." So what does it mean for you? Usernames and passwords for your accounts could be somewhere on the internet. And this is frankly terrifying.&nbsp;
TeamPassword is the password management solution for security-conscious teams. Secure password sharing. Secure local encryption. Secure two-factor authentication. Sign up for a&nbsp;<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free trial</a>. It requires no credit card!
<h2>What Happened?</h2>
A Lithuanian news website&nbsp;<a href="https://cybernews.com/news/largest-compilation-of-emails-and-passwords-leaked-free/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exposed</a>&nbsp;the data dump in early February after discovering leaked login data on the dark web. This dump doesn't include any recently compromised credentials but historic usernames and passwords of email accounts, social media platforms, and streaming services from the last decade or so.
Still, the breach &mdash; officially called Breachcomp2.0 &mdash; is concerning. Only 20 percent of people use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/763091/us-use-of-same-online-passwords/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">different passwords</a>&nbsp;for different logins, while 11 percent&nbsp;<a href="https://digitalguardian.com/blog/uncovering-password-habits-are-users-password-security-habits-improving-infographic#:~:text=Overall%2C%2029.4%25%20of%20respondents%20change,notified%20of%20a%20security%20issue." target="_blank" rel="noopener">never change</a>&nbsp;their passwords at all. So it's pretty easy for hackers to use all this old information and compromise new accounts.&nbsp;
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/when-twitter-passwords-are-easy-to-guess-what-should-you-do" target="_blank" rel="noopener">When Twitter Passwords Are Easy to Guess. What Should You Do?</a>
<h2>What Should You Do?</h2>
Unfortunately, information from this data leak has circulated across the dark web by now, and hackers might already have access to your past logins and passwords. But you can check whether hackers have compromised your data&nbsp;<a href="https://cybernews.com/personal-data-leak-check/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. (This free tool also tells you whether hackers compromised your logins in other data breaches.)
Even if you're not affected, change logins for current accounts if you still use an old username and password. From now on, think up new login credentials for&nbsp;each of your accounts.&nbsp;
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-state-of-the-password-problem-in-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The State of the Password Problem in 2021</a>
<h2>Prevent Hackers From Stealing Your Data</h2>
Using different logins and passwords for new accounts reduces a hacker's chances of stealing your personal information. But this is a challenge for most of us. The average person manages&nbsp;<a href="https://digitalguardian.com/blog/uncovering-password-habits-are-users-password-security-habits-improving-infographic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">90 online accounts</a>&nbsp;for email, social media, banking, streaming, and other services. How can we possibly remember 90 separate usernames? And 90 passwords? If you share passwords with team members, things get even messier.
Using a team password manager makes more sense. TeamPassword is your go-to solution for&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">team password management</a>, with a broad range of features that keep shared credentials secure.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Store team usernames and passwords in a secure vault, so you don't have to remember login data. You can access shared details whenever you like and wherever you are in the world.&nbsp;</li>
<li>There's no need to keep team passwords in spreadsheets or write shared details on paper. Keeping login details in a safe space protects teams from data breaches and identity theft.&nbsp;</li>
<li>There's no complicated installation or configuration. TeamPassword is easy to use and share with teams.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Teams can quickly login to websites, apps, and other digital tools without looking for passwords, speeding up performance and productivity.</li>
</ul>
Are you looking for a team password management solution that prevents your login details from appearing on the dark web? TeamPassword is the password manager created exclusively for teams like yours.&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more here</a>.&nbsp;
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-does-one-time-password-hijacking-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How Does One Time Password Hijacking Work?</a>
<h2>Before You Go</h2>
The Breachcomp2.0 data dump is the largest of its kind, exposing 3.2 billion username-password combos on the dark web. This leak has many cybersecurity implications and affected individuals should change their login credentials immediately. In the future, prevent the damage from data breaches by using different logins for different online accounts. If you share details with team members, use a team password manager for extra security.&nbsp;
Successful teams need successful password management solutions. TeamPassword is the password management tool for people that share login credentials with team members, providing enhanced security and scalability in the digital age.&nbsp;<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get TeamPassword here</a>.&nbsp;
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Hackers do password dumps on the dark web every day. Read to know how to check if you have been affected and how to protect yourself.

Hackers do password dumps on the dark web every day. Read to know how to check if you ...

3+ Billion Usernames and Passwords Leaked. Are You Affected?

3+ Billion Usernames and Passwords Dumped on the Dark Web. Are You Affected?

Digital security has become among the most important issues since the turn of the century. While a significant number of people may associate hacking with large corporations and government institutions, most cyberattacks target small businesses and individuals. Often, unlike larger corporations and government institutions, small and medium businesses and individuals have less advanced security measures and protocols. Regardless of size, there is still significantly valuable information that hackers may acquire from unwitting individuals. This includes credit card and banking information, access codes to secure locations and access to confidential&nbsp;information.
Smart homes and smart devices are also under threat. Smart home security has become an important component of privacy. Devices that have access to the internet of things (IoT) are able to communicate with each other via a wireless network and have enabled people to use access to their homes in innovative ways.
Just as a secure smart home is vital, IoT security is vital because, unfortunately, the access of IoT&nbsp;to your main network&nbsp;also creates an access point for malicious actors that could break into your house, steal or vandalize property, physically harm or kidnap the occupants or remotely tamper with your home.&nbsp;Just as locks on doors and windows are essential, smart home security is a vital component of securing your space. Below are actionable tips that you should implement if you have a secure smart home.
Start protecting yourself today with a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">14-day free trial</a>.
<h2>1. Wi-Fi Password Security</h2>
The most basic approach to internet security is the use of <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/common-password-problems-faced-small-organizations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secure passwords</a>. A common way that Wi-Fi networks are breached is through the use of easily hackable passwords. Considering that software and AI are developing at a rapid rate, the use of simple passwords is now a way to make your network vulnerable. Another prudent practice is to not use the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-truth-about-terrible-passwords" target="_blank" rel="noopener">same password</a> for different accounts and to change it regularly. However, these practices are a hurdle for larger families with multiple individuals using the same network. Services like <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">Team Password</a> enable families to share secure log-ins and passwords, even when they are regularly altered. This is done through password synchronization across different accounts. Should one family member experience a hack and a password change is required, there would be no need to go through the hurdles of sharing a new secure password.
<h2>2. Updating IoT Devices</h2>
In certain cases, a weak point in the software or firmware of a device may be discovered&nbsp;and an update is required to patch that weak link. Failing to update devices connected to your network regularly could leave your home vulnerable to hackers. The best approach is to ensure that the settings on the device automatically and regularly check for updates. For certain devices, automatic installation may be acceptable, but for others that are critical to your security, such as a device capable of unlocking a door, it may be better to schedule updates manually at a reasonable time. IoT (Internet of Things) Security can be robust when constantly updated, rather than neglected. When a weakness is discovered in IoT security, the businesses that maintain the devices will patch the gap holes and it is up to you to make sure that the updates&nbsp;are installed onto the device.
<h2>3. Firewall and Antivirus Software</h2>
It is not uncommon that unprotected devices are infiltrated by malicious code. There are all kinds of computer viruses and undesirable programs that could access your system and compromise your security. Defensive software such as antivirus programs and firewalls should always&nbsp;be kept up to date.
<h2>4. Router Security</h2>
While many individuals will change the names of their wi-fi networks and use secure passwords for them, one access point that is neglected is the router itself. Hackers may get access to your network if you leave the default settings, such as administrator usernames and passwords. Not everyone in your household will need access to router settings. Regardless, the same prudent approach to secure access to the Wi-Fi should be used for the router password. A service like <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">Team Password</a>makes this an easy task.
<h2>5. Separate IoT Network</h2>
The network that controls your devices requires a higher level of security than that which, for example, your house guests use. A reasonable approach is to create two networks with your IoT devices on their own network.
<h2>6. Device Access and Permissions</h2>
Some devices are always on and surveilling either visually or audibly. These could be used&nbsp;by hackers to access information or images that could be used in a harmful way. Also, be wary of the permissions granted to certain devices. If a particular device requests permission to access the information it does not need, disable the function.
<h2>7. Multi-Factor Authentication</h2>
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/one-time-passwords-vs-two-factor-authentication" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Multi-factor authentication</a> is an important approach to security. Use your phone or a third-party app like an authenticator. In&nbsp;the event that you are hacked on any email, device or account, two-factor and multifactor authentication will ensure that no one else will access any vital information or accounts without your phone or the app that is used for multifactor authentication. Regardless of your approach in this security, <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-biggest-password-trends-of-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passphrases,</a> which are&nbsp;complicated versions of passwords, have proven to be effective. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" target="_blank" rel="follow noopener">Password lockers</a> are an effective way to ensure that you will not forget even the most complicated of passphrases and link them to all devices.

Team password is an effective password management service. with other services like password generation. Experience it today with a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=bcms#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">14-day free trail</a>

Even when you secure the perimeter of your home, you should find out how to make sure your home is not vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Even when you secure the perimeter of your home, you should find out how to make sure your ...

7 Tips to Secure Your Smart Home and IoT Devices

Do you think&nbsp;Password1&nbsp;is a seriously stupid password? Or&nbsp;1234? Donald Trump's Twitter account (now&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/topics/company/2020/suspension.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">permanently suspended</a>), had one of the most easily guessable passwords of all time: MAGA2020!
MAGA, which stands for "Make America Great Again", was Trump's campaign slogan during his 2016 presidential campaign. Police documents reveal that Victor Gevers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55337192" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accessed Trump's Twitter</a>&nbsp;after correctly guessing his not-so-secure password.
Gevers proves how easy it is to guess pretty much anyone's Twitter login. And it doesn't matter if you're a plumber, a physical therapist, or the President of the United States.&nbsp;
To protect your account click <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">here</a> to sign up for a free trial of TeamPassword.
<h2>What Happened?</h2>
In December 2020, Dutch prosecutors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-twitter-password-breach-an-ethical-hack-says-dutch-government-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">concluded</a>&nbsp;that cyber-security researcher Gevers had successfully hacked into Trump's Twitter by guessing his password. (Gevers had the screenshots to prove it.)&nbsp;
Gevers had been carrying out a "sweep" of U.S. politicians when he guessed Trump's credentials, which gave him access to the former President's private photos, messages, and block list. Gevers says he was "looking for vulnerabilities on the internet."&nbsp;
At the time Gevers accessed the account, Trump had 89 million followers.&nbsp;
Recommended reading:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-truth-about-terrible-passwords" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Truth About Terrible Passwords</a>
<h2>Password Vulnerabilities on Social Media</h2>
In July 2020, hackers&nbsp;<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/embarrassed-twitter-reveals-130-accounts-were-hacked-8-profile-info-were-downloaded/articleshow/77058844.cms?from=mdr#:~:text='Embarrassed'%20Twitter%20reveals%20130%20accounts%20were%20hacked%2C%208%20profiles%20downloaded,-AFP" target="_blank" rel="noopener">infiltrated</a>&nbsp;the accounts of 130 high-profile Twitter users (such as Elon Musk and Joe Biden) and data breaches affect businesses on social media platforms all the time &mdash; Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, you name it.&nbsp;
Businesses are susceptible to hackers because employees share social media passwords. Salespeople, marketing reps, and customer service agents often require access to the same account, and passwords can easily fall into the wrong hands. Other times, hackers guess passwords that are not secure enough. (Compromised passwords make up a massive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.idagent.com/blog/10-password-security-statistics-that-you-need-to-see-now/#:~:text=In%202019%2C%2042%25%20of%20companies,reuses%20each%20password%2014%20times!" target="_blank" rel="noopener">81 percent</a>&nbsp;of all hacking-related incidents.)
What's the solution?
Recommended reading:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/common-password-problems-faced-small-organizations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Most Common Password Problems Faced by Small Organizations</a>
<h2>The Benefits of a Password Manager</h2>
A password manager provides businesses like yours with an extra level of robust security. It stores social media passwords in a super-secure environment, keeping logins locked up safe. You can still access your Twitter or Facebook account whenever you like, but your passwords remain protected.&nbsp;
There are other benefits:
<ul>
<li>When you use a&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reliable password manager</a>, you don't need to remember social media passwords. (Great if you don't have a good memory.) Your password manager recalls your password and automatically logs you into your account. There's no longer a need to scribble passwords on a scrap of paper or list them on an Excel spreadsheet.&nbsp;</li>
<li>A password manager generates an uber-strong password that prevents hackers from entering your social media accounts. This benefit reduces the risk of identity theft, fraud, and account takeover.&nbsp;</li>
<li>A password manager cranks up the security credentials in your organization, improving compliance with data protection legislation and frameworks.</li>
</ul>
Recommended Reading:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/why-do-i-need-a-password-manager" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Why Do I Need a Password Manager?</a>
<h2>Have You Heard About Team Password?</h2>
Team Password benefits business teams like yours, letting you share logins and passwords so you can keep projects moving. You can store passwords in a safe environment and access them when you need them.&nbsp;
All kinds of businesses use Team Password to protect their social media assets, such as
<ul>
<li>Retailers</li>
<li>Banks</li>
<li>Tech startups</li>
<li>Creative agencies</li>
<li>Software design and development teams</li>
<li>Marketing agencies</li>
</ul>
Recommended Reading:&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-biggest-password-trends-of-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Biggest Password Trends of 2020</a>
<h2>Before You Go</h2>
How hackable is your password? If someone can access the then president's Twitter account, cybercriminals could hack into yours. Using a password manager such as Team Password improves security in your organization and lets you share and sync logins with the rest of your team.&nbsp;
Are you looking for a secure social media password manager? Try the free 14-day trial&nbsp;<a href="https://teampassword.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

Learn about what you can do to protect yourself from hackers guessing your password on Twitter and other social media. | TeamPasswordBlog

Learn about what you can do to protect yourself from hackers guessing your password on Twitter and other ...

When Twitter Passwords  Are Easy to Guess. What Should You do?

When Twitter Passwords Are Easy to Guess. What Should You do?

<h2>Introduction</h2>
In a world where two-factor authentication (2FA) has become widespread and popular, a secure authentication process is still vulnerable. The main cause of this is the widely used one-time password (OTP) over SMS and OTP over email two-factor authentication methods.
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> is a convenient and efficient way to store and share team logins and passwords to ensure trouble proof and secure business project management and protecting your assets. To get started click <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" rel="follow">here</a> to sign up for a 14-day free trial
<h2>What is OTP?</h2>
A one-time password (OTP) is a part of two-factor authentication. Generally, an OTP is several digits that a service sends to the phone or email of a user as a text message or is generated by an <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/is-it-safe-to-save-my-credit-card-online">authenticator</a> app. The user needs to enter these digits on the service side as an additional security layer to prove his identity.
Often users choose 2FA via SMS as a convenient and hassle-free way. But they don't know how many vulnerabilities this method has. Using these vulnerabilities, attackers can hijack an account, which means they can gain full control over it. Below we will look at how hackers can gain control of an account and how to prevent it.
<h2>OTP via SMS Hijacking</h2>
SMS-based 2FA method has several serious security drawbacks. Here is why you shouldn't be using OTP via SMS two-factor authentication and give preference, if possible, to another authentication method.&nbsp;
Lock screen notifications -&nbsp; - criminals can stealthy look at a locked phone's screen to get OTP codes.
SIM Basics - Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) contains information about user phone numbers, cellular vendor information, and other info. SIM cards can be stolen and used by intruders in their phones to receive SMSs or calls.
SIM Swapping - SIM information is often stored and transferred digitally. Criminals can transfer this information to their phones using trojans on the victim's phone or obtain information from the vendor&rsquo;s tech support applying social engineering hacks. With this information on hand, hackers can disconnect the victim&rsquo;s phone from the mobile network.&nbsp;
SS7 Attacks - OTP codes can be intercepted by criminals, who take advantage of severe security flaws in SS7 message transmission protocol.
While many services offer password reset via SMS messaging, considering the aforementioned disadvantages, hackers can hijack a user account, take full control over it and restrict access of the account.&nbsp;
Even if you use an authenticator app, hackers can send you an SMS, stating that there is suspicious activity on a certain service, and you must send an SMS in response to the code generated by the application. This code will be intercepted by cybercriminals for further access to the service.&nbsp;
<h2>OTP via Email Hijacking</h2>
If criminals get control over a particular email account by SS7 attack, phishing attack, or credentials leakage, they can use this compromised email account for further malicious purposes. In a case when an email account is mentioned as the main email in email-based recovery methods, hackers can hijack several different service accounts easily.
There are also cases where an automated bot calls its victims, alerts them about unauthorized activity on the account, and prompts them to enter an OTP generated by the authenticator app. This code is then transferred back to the scammers and they use it to hijack an account.&nbsp;
<h2>How to Prevent Hijacking</h2>
The following steps can help you prevent service account hijacking:
Use long passwords - <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/common-password-problems-faced-small-organizations">Passwords</a> must contain 8 characters or more (lowercase, uppercase letters, digits, and special symbols). It defends an account from brute force attacks.
Apply different passwords for different services - This can help prevent credentials leakage if one of the services gets compromised.
Change passwords periodically - By regularly changing your passwords, it can help avoid account hijacking in case of a service database leak.
Use a password manager - Encrypted <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/why-do-i-need-a-password-manager">password storage</a> prevents thefts by trojans.
Update OS and programs - Developers continuously improve security issues, and by using the latest software, you&rsquo;ll be safeguarded against dated hacking methods.&nbsp;
Beware of phishing emails and text messages - Don&rsquo;t click on suspicious links. Hackers can steal credentials when you enter them on a fraudulent site.
Only use sites with SSL certificates - Try to only visit websites with a trusted SSL certificate that provides site authentication, enables encrypted connections,&nbsp; and avoids sensitive data interception during a man-in-the-middle attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Disable lock screen notification - This can help eliminate the risk of criminals peeping at your OTP.
Protect SIM card by PIN - This helps prevent unauthorized SIM usage in the case of phone or SIM card theft.
Do not use SMS-based applications - App data can&rsquo;t be as easily passed to a 3rd party without your knowledge. That prevents easy SIM-swapping attacks.
Try to avoid email-based and SMS-based recovery methods - These methods are vulnerable to account hijacking.
Type the OTP directly into browsers - Never send back codes via SMS&nbsp; and don't enter the codes from the prompt during a phone call. Reliable services don't provide these options for authentication.
Try to use trusted authenticator apps or U2F hardware authenticators when it is possible - This helps to avoid weaknesses of 2FA via SMS and 2FA via email methods.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
Using 2FA methods is still more reliable than not using it at all. Use two-factor authentication if the service provides that authentication option. Employ program security solutions for credentials storage and persistently improve your network security knowledge and awareness to protect your data and accounts.&nbsp;
TeamPassword offers the best software for password generation and management. To learn more - <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">sign up for the free 14-day trial</a> today.

Learn about OTP hijacking. The vulnerabilities that cause account hijacking and what steps to take to prevent hijacking. | Teampassword Blog

Learn about OTP hijacking. The vulnerabilities that cause account hijacking and what steps to take to prevent hijacking. ...

How Does One Time Password Hijacking Work?

It&rsquo;s been almost three years since the GDPR took effect. Now that the initial uncertainty about it has started to clear up, many are asking: Was it a big deal?
This blog entry explains why the GDPR is definitely a huge deal. GDPR not only imposes strict requirements and hefty fines. It also massively impacts how businesses <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-manage-your-small-business-passwords">manage data security and avoid data breaches</a>.
TeamPassword helps you take the needed steps to stay GDPR-compliant. We provide cyber-security tools and expertise for protecting your organization&rsquo;s data. Shield your information from data breaches, <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">sign up for a free 14-day trial</a> today.
<h2>GDPR and DATA Security</h2>
The EU&rsquo;s <a href="https://gdpr-info.eu/">General Data Protection Regulation</a> (GDPR) lays down rules on how companies should handle the personal data they collect from EU citizens and residents. Among other things, it outlines strict responsibilities and requirements to ensure organizations keep consumer&rsquo;s data private and protected.
These data security provisions cover areas such as implementing data protection protocols and roles, adopting a privacy-by-design approach throughout the organization, and mitigating data breaches. This gives the GDPR its reputation as the world&rsquo;s <a href="https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/">toughest data privacy and security law</a>.
An even more crucial GDPR component is the costly fines and penalties it imposes on businesses for noncompliance. Depending on the severity of the violation, fines can reach up to &euro;20 million or 4% of annual revenue, whichever is higher.
Put simply, the GDPR makes it a very expensive mistake for businesses to <a href="https://www.teampassword.com/blog/the-truth-about-terrible-passwords">skimp on data security</a>.
<h2>Cost of Non-compliance</h2>
Just how much do data security violations cost businesses under the GDPR? This depends on various factors, but the overall trends show that data security infringements have so far been a major source of GDPR fines.
At the time of writing, the <a href="https://www.enforcementtracker.com/?insights">GDPR Enforcement Tracker</a> reports a total of &euro;275 million in fines levied since enforcement. Of this amount, &euro;64 million comes from fines for &ldquo;insufficient technical and organisational measures to ensure information security&rdquo; (the second biggest category in the list).
In addition, four out of the five largest GDPR fines ever imposed have involved some form of data security violation (although the fines also included other non-compliance issues):
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">H&amp;M: &euro;35.2 million (an error that left a network drive unprotected)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">TIM: &euro;27.8 million (broad set of GDPR violations including data breaches)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">British Airways: &euro;22 million (phishing websites hijacked site traffic)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Marriott International: &euro;20 million (cyber-attack that compromised user data including 31 million EU residents)</li>
</ul>
This clearly indicates that regulators are very serious about going after businesses that don&rsquo;t adequately protect consumer data.
<h2>Comparing GDPR Fines With Other Data Privacy Regulations</h2>
To see how GDPR stacks up against similar data protection laws, here&rsquo;s a quick comparison of the fines imposed by other GDPR-like regulations:
<table height="543" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 58.32399840394875%; height: 780px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.489962984054667%;">
Regulation
</td>
<td style="width: 8.107915717539864%;">
Jurisdiction
</td>
<td style="width: 57.16472095671982%;">
&nbsp; &nbsp; Maximum Fines
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.489962984054667%;">
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
</td>
<td style="width: 8.107915717539864%;">
California
</td>
<td style="width: 57.16472095671982%;">
&nbsp; Civil penalties of $7,500/violation, statutory damages of $750/consumer/incident
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.489962984054667%;">
Data Protection Act (DPA)
</td>
<td style="width: 8.107915717539864%;">
UK
</td>
<td style="width: 57.16472095671982%;">
&nbsp; &pound;17.5 million or 4% of global revenue
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.489962984054667%;">
Digital Charter Implementation Act
</td>
<td style="width: 8.107915717539864%;">
Canada
</td>
<td style="width: 57.16472095671982%;">
&nbsp; CAD25 million or 5% of global revenue
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.489962984054667%;">
Privacy Act
</td>
<td style="width: 8.107915717539864%;">
Australia
</td>
<td style="width: 57.16472095671982%;">
&nbsp; AUD1.8 million
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.489962984054667%;">
Act on Protection of Personal Information
</td>
<td style="width: 8.107915717539864%;">
Japan
</td>
<td style="width: 57.16472095671982%;">
&nbsp; &yen;100 million
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.489962984054667%;">
Personal Data Protection Law
</td>
<td style="width: 8.107915717539864%;">
China
</td>
<td style="width: 57.16472095671982%;">
&nbsp; CNY50 million
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.489962984054667%;">
Lei Geral de Prote&ccedil;ao de Dados (LGPD)
</td>
<td style="width: 8.107915717539864%;">
Brazil
</td>
<td style="width: 57.16472095671982%;">
&nbsp; R$50 million
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>So, Is GDPR A Big Deal?</h2>
With strict responsibilities and steep penalties it places on businesses, the GDPR is a huge deal. But is it a big deal for your company, too? If you collect or process EU citizens&rsquo; and residents&rsquo; personal data, then it absolutely is.
As we&rsquo;ve seen, data security makes up a critical part of GDPR compliance. In particular, it requires businesses to:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Implement <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/your-passwords-are-only-as-secure-as-your-teams">proper organizational and technical measures</a> to protect personal data</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Assess how business decisions impact data protection</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Track data breaches and promptly notify affected parties</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Train employees on keeping data secure</li>
</ul>
In terms of how big a liability you&rsquo;ll face for data infringements, regulators take various data security factors into account when <a href="https://www.ciodive.com/news/how-do-regulators-calculate-gdpr-fines-an-explainer/558495/">calculating GDPR fines</a>:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The size and duration of the breach</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Type of data compromised</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Whether intent or negligence is involved</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Prevention and mitigation steps taken</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Record of past data breaches</li>
</ul>
Finally, as more GDPR-like regulations take effect, you&rsquo;re bound to be governed by other data privacy laws at some point. Becoming GDPR-compliant helps you stay ahead at meeting similar regulations down the road. That makes GDPR quite a big deal for everyone.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
In this post, you&rsquo;ve seen what GDPR means for data security and why it&rsquo;s a big deal for every business right now. The big takeaway is that GDPR mandates a data-privacy-by-design mindset which, in turn, needs robust data protection mechanisms in place.
That&rsquo;s where TeamPassword can help. We give you tools to easily manage passwords across your organization so that data stays secure. Give it a try with a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">free 14-day trial today</a>.

Was the GDPR a big deal? The quick answer is yes and the GDPR is an even bigger deal for how businesses handle data security. | TeamPassword

Was the GDPR a big deal? The quick answer is yes and the GDPR is an even bigger ...

GDPR: was it really a big deal?

With <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a>, users can benefit from simple and effective solutions to store and share passwords and team logins. These convenient features enable you to let business projects progress securely and protect your digital assets. Our pricing models are designed to give flexible options depending on your team size and budget. This article explains why it is a small price to pay to invest in a password manager like TeamPassword. To get started with protecting yourself click <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">here</a> for a free trial.
<h2>Password Breach Cases</h2>
When an accident doesn&rsquo;t happen to us, we don&rsquo;t know the importance of protection. People tend to learn lessons after they make a mistake. But, when it comes to cybersecurity, making a mistake and being naive can be extremely costly. In this section, we will have a look at three password breach cases and the cost the companies had to pay.
<h3>RI Advice Group stored passwords in plain text</h3>
RI Advice Group is an Australian financial firm. In August 2020, the company was sued for storing passwords and other credentials in plain text files. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) took the financial advisory firm to the Federal Court for failing to maintain a &ldquo;reasonable standard&rdquo; of cybersecurity. In the court filings, ASIC alleged that RI failed to ensure its representatives secured the critical personal and financial information of their clients.
<h3>500,000 Zoom Account Breaches</h3>
In April 2020, over 500,000 Zoom accounts were compromised and sold on the Dark Web and other hacker forums. It turned out that the majority of the passwords were old and had been hacked before. An investigation by Cyble, a cyber risk assessment firm, found that each password was sold under $0.01 in USD and some were even offered for free.
<h3>Facebook stored millions of user passwords in plain text</h3>
In March 2019, it was reported that the social media network giant stored hundreds of millions of user passwords in clear text although they were not exposed externally. The majority of the passwords were for users of Facebook Lite, which is a light version of Facebook for slow network connections. Facebook is known to well protect passwords normally but this case was not a best practice for password management.
Poor password management can lead to significant damage to your company&rsquo;s bottom line and brand. Considering the potential damage, using a paid security tool to protect passwords can yield a great return on investment.
<h2>TeamPassword can protect passwords</h2>
To protect your critical assets, TeamPassword offers an extensive range of features. Let&rsquo;s have a look at some of our major features.
<h3>Password Generator</h3>
As we could see from the case studies above, old weak passwords can be an easy target for hacking. When you have to generate unique and <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-importance-of-a-strong-password-for-each-account">strong passwords</a> regularly, it can be tough since it needs your creativity. Our <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/why-should-i-use-a-password-generator">password generator</a> tool helps you ease the burden and lets you create strong passwords with simple clicks.
<h3>Ease of Use</h3>
TeamPassword supports various devices including desktops, laptops, and <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/introducing-teampassword-mobile-to-increase-user-productivity">mobile devices</a>. With the TeamPassword&rsquo;s extension, you can use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to easily access your password. After installing the extension, you can simply click your password on the extension menu to log in.
<h3>Collaboration</h3>
When you work in multiple teams or work for many clients, managing passwords becomes more difficult and scalability becomes an important factor for <a href="https://kanbanize.com/agile/project-management" rel="follow">project management</a>. With TeamPassword, you can easily and securely share credentials with the whole or part of your teams and even with external clients. When new members come in or leave, you can add or remove certain users to your group.
<h3>Logging and Notifications</h3>
When a new user is added to a login group, you might want to get notified to monitor the person&rsquo;s activities. Also, TeamPassword informs you of which logins are being updated. With this feature, you can take swift action at the right time to prevent an accident.
<h3>Multi-Factor Authentication</h3>
MFA or Multi-Factor Authentication adds an extra security layer to your login credentials. It is known that using MFA can block most of the automated login attempts from hackers. TeamPassword can be compatible with Google Authenticator to generate code. After your login using username and password, you&rsquo;ll be prompted to provide an MFA code when MFA mode is enabled. You can also make backup codes to prevent you from being locked out.
<h2>Pricing Plans</h2>
TeamPassword provides various affordable pricing options for our users. You can explore our product with the Starter plan at $15 per month. That&rsquo;s for five members. If you have a large team, our highest option allows 50 users at $100 per month. We also have $30 and $60 per month options for different team sizes.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
In this article, we learned why using TeamPassword can be a good investment for the future. If you consider the potential damage to your organization, <a href="https://teampassword.com/pricing">our price plans</a> have affordable options for various teams sizes and periods. At TeamPassword we provide the best software to generate and have your passwords managed correctly. If you would like to learn more about it, please <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">sign on to the free 14-day trial</a> today.

Can you put a price on your security? TeamPassword is a small price to pay given the potential damage due to wrong password management.

Can you put a price on your security? TeamPassword is a small price to pay given the potential ...

Can You Put a Price on Your Security?

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>.
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<h3>8. Marcos Rezende - UX designer - Canada</h3>
Marcos Rezende is a UX Designer from Ontario, Canada, with more than 13 years of experience. Marcos has worked in over 30 industry sectors for multinational organizations in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Brazil.&nbsp;
Some of Marcos' notable projects include apps for Ontario's COVID-19 dashboard, Urban Master Planning collaboration platform, and Reaction (kid's e-learning app), to name a few.&nbsp;
Marcos loves sharing his industry expertise with aspiring UX designers and regularly writes for the popular UX publication Career Foundry. Total recognizes Marcos as part of its "Top 3%" of global freelancer talent&mdash;a title given to elite freelancers in their given field.
We don't have access to Marcos' rates, but the best UX designers on Upwork earn upwards of $100 per hour. As a Toptal Top 3% freelancer, Marcos likely charges $200-$300 per hour.
<a href="https://www.marcosrezende.com/">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.
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<h3>10. Guangming Lang - Data Scientist - United States</h3>
Guangming Lang is a freelance data scientist from Michigan, United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from New College of Florida and a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan. Guangming has also completed several Coursera courses in data science and machine learning.
Guangming has been a freelancer since 2013 and has worked across several industries, including fintech, trading, medicine, biotech, advertising, and HR.&nbsp;
Guangming is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. He's completed 216 jobs on Upwork totaling 3,805 hours! Guangming's current rates start at $200 per hour.
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<h2>Secure Freelancer Workflows With TeamPassword</h2>
No matter how talented or reputable the freelancers and contractors you hire, your company must use secure workflows to protect your digital assets.
Freelancers often need access to shared accounts and tools. Using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/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!

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