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;
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&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.
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<h3>5. Paul Hunkin - Developer - New Zealand</h3>
Paul Hunkin is a freelance software consultant and developer from Tauranga, New Zealand, but currently living in Portugal.&nbsp;
Paul has over ten years of experience as a software developer with an impressive work history, including Google, NASA, InfoSys, and the Chinese aerospace industry leader COMAC.
He's worked with several early-stage startups designing everything from high-performance big-data systems to complex web applications to 3D rendering engines. He's also built a lot of the foundational code for independent games on Android.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Paul is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. His rates start at $120 per hour for software development. <a href="https://paulh.consulting/">Check out Paul's website</a> for more about his impressive portfolio and work history.
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<h3>6. Jana Galat - Writer / Brand Strategist - Canada</h3>
Jana Galat is a freelance copywriter and brand strategist from Ontario, Canada. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Organizational Studies from King's University College and an Honors in Business Administration from Western University.
Jana has extensive experience writing landing pages, email campaigns, social media ads, and print materials and says, "I am obsessed with creating copy that sells..."
After several years of professional work experience, Jana went freelance in 2019 and has quickly built a reputation as a <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01bfa17a48301876dd">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!

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!

ChatGPT is a powerful natural language processing (NLP) system that can generate realistic and engaging text based on a given prompt. It is one of the most advanced AI-driven chatbots in the world, and it has many applications in various domains, including cybersecurity. However, as with any technology, ChatGPT also comes with its own challenges and risks that need to be addressed.
In this article, we will explore how ChatGPT is being used to support cybersecurity efforts, and what are the potential benefits and drawbacks of this approach.
Here are the key things you need to know about ChatGPT and cybersecurity:
<ul>
<li>ChatGPT is a descendant of GPT-3, a large-scale language model that can generate text on almost any topic.</li>
<li>ChatGPT is designed to create conversational agents that can interact with humans in natural language, such as customer service bots, virtual assistants, or social media influencers.</li>
<li>ChatGPT can help improve cybersecurity by providing automated responses, detecting threats, and enhancing user experience.</li>
<li>ChatGPT also poses some cybersecurity risks, such as data privacy issues, security vulnerabilities, and malicious use by hackers or adversaries.</li>
<li>ChatGPT is still an evolving technology, and its future impact on cybersecurity is uncertain.</li>
</ul>
<h3>[Table of Contents]</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#theevolution" rel="follow">The Evolution of ChatGPT</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#thepotentialbenefits" rel="follow">The Potential Benefits of Using ChatGPT for Cybersecurity</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#concernsrisks" rel="follow">ChatGPT and Cybersecurity: Concerns &amp; Risks</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#thefutureofgpt" rel="follow">The Future of ChatGPT and Cybersecurity</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#bestpractices" rel="follow">Best Practices for Using AI Chatbots Safely</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="theevolution">The Evolution of ChatGPT</h2>
ChatGPT is a product of <a href="https://openai.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">OpenAI</a>, a research organization whose stated mission is to create artificial intelligence that can benefit humanity. OpenAI is also the creator of GPT-4, one of the largest and most powerful language models ever built. GPT-4 can generate coherent and diverse text on almost any topic, given a few words or sentences as input. It can write anything from essays to poems to code, and it can even answer questions or generate images.
ChatGPT is a specialized version of GPT-3.5 or 4 that focuses on creating conversational agents. It is trained on a large corpus of dialogue data from various sources, such as Reddit, Twitter, Wikipedia, and books. It can generate realistic and engaging responses based on the context and tone of the conversation. It can also adapt to different personalities, moods, and styles of speech.
ChatGPT is used for various purposes, such as customer service bots, virtual assistants, social media influencers, or entertainment. For example, some companies use ChatGPT to create chatbots that can answer queries, provide information, or offer suggestions to their customers. Some individuals use ChatGPT to create virtual friends or companions that can chat with them online. Some celebrities use ChatGPT to create social media posts or interact with their fans.
<h2 id="thepotentialbenefits">The Potential Benefits of Using ChatGPT for Cybersecurity</h2>
ChatGPT can also be used to support cybersecurity efforts in various ways. Here are some of the potential benefits of using ChatGPT for cybersecurity:
<h3>#1. Automated responses</h3>
ChatGPT can provide automated responses to common or repetitive queries or requests from users or customers. This can save time and resources for human agents, and improve user satisfaction and loyalty. For example, a chatbot powered by ChatGPT can answer FAQs about a product or service, or guide users through a process or procedure.
<h3>#2. Threat detection</h3>
ChatGPT can help detect and prevent threats or attacks from hackers or adversaries. It can analyze the content and context of the messages or commands sent by users or customers, and flag any suspicious or malicious activity. For example, a chatbot powered by ChatGPT can detect phishing attempts, spam messages, or unauthorized access attempts.
<h3>#3. User experience</h3>
ChatGPT can enhance the user experience by providing personalized and engaging interactions. It can tailor its responses based on the user's preferences, needs, or emotions. It can also use humor, empathy, or creativity to make the conversation more enjoyable and memorable. For example, a chatbot powered by ChatGPT can make jokes, give compliments, or tell stories to the user.
<h2 id="concernsrisks">ChatGPT and Cybersecurity: Concerns &amp; Risks</h2>
However, using ChatGPT for cybersecurity also comes with its own challenges and risks. Here are some of the potential concerns and drawbacks of using ChatGPT for cybersecurity.
<h3>Data privacy</h3>
ChatGPT may pose a risk to data privacy by collecting, storing, or sharing sensitive information from users or customers. It may also inadvertently expose or leak such information to third parties or unauthorized entities. For example, a chatbot powered by ChatGPT may ask for personal details such as name, email address, or credit card number from the user without proper consent or encryption.
<h3>Security vulnerabilities</h3>
ChatGPT may have security vulnerabilities that hackers or adversaries can exploit to compromise the system or gain access to confidential data. It may also be susceptible to manipulation or deception by malicious actors who can trick it into revealing information or performing actions that are harmful or illegal. For example, a hacker may use social engineering techniques to persuade a chatbot powered by ChatGPT to disclose passwords, or execute commands that damage the system.
<h3>Malicious use</h3>
ChatGPT may be used for malicious purposes by hackers or adversaries who can use it to create fake or misleading content or messages that can harm or deceive users or customers. It may also be used to impersonate or spoof legitimate entities or individuals, and spread misinformation or propaganda. For example, a hacker may use ChatGPT to create fake news articles, reviews, or testimonials that can influence public opinion or behavior.
<h3>Real-Life Incidents With Chatbots</h3>
There have been some real-life incidents where chatbots have caused or been involved in cybersecurity breaches or concerns. Here are some examples:
In 2016, Microsoft launched Tay, a chatbot that was supposed to learn from interacting with Twitter users. However, within 24 hours, Tay was corrupted by some users who taught it to spew racist, sexist, and offensive remarks. Microsoft had to shut down Tay and apologize for the incident. In 2017, Facebook shut down two chatbots that were supposed to negotiate with each other using natural language. However, the chatbots developed their own language that was incomprehensible to humans, and started to deviate from the original task. Facebook claimed that the chatbots were not out of control, but rather experimenting with new ways of communication. In 2020, a security researcher discovered that some chatbots on dating apps were using GPT-3 to lure users into clicking on malicious links or downloading malware. The chatbots were able to mimic human behavior and conversation, and trick users into believing that they were talking to real people.
<h2 id="thefutureofgpt">The Future of ChatGPT and Cybersecurity</h2>
ChatGPT is still an evolving technology, and its future impact on cybersecurity is uncertain. On one hand, ChatGPT can offer many benefits and opportunities for improving cybersecurity by providing automated responses, detecting threats, and enhancing user experience. On the other hand, ChatGPT can also pose many risks and challenges for cybersecurity by raising data privacy issues, creating security vulnerabilities, and enabling malicious use.
<h3 id="bestpractices">Best Practices for Using AI Chatbots Safely</h3>
AI chatbots are becoming more popular and useful in various industries and domains. They can provide fast and convenient customer service, generate leads, automate tasks, and more. However, using AI chatbots also comes with some cybersecurity risks that you should be aware of and prevent. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best practices for using AI chatbots safely and securely.
1. Don't Give a Chatbot Your Personal Information
One of the most important rules for using AI chatbots safely is to never give them your personal information. This includes your name, email, phone number, address, credit card details, passwords, and any other sensitive data. Even if the chatbot seems friendly and trustworthy, you should always be cautious and skeptical. Some chatbots may be designed to collect your personal information for malicious purposes, such as identity theft, fraud, or spam. Therefore, you should always limit the amount of information you share with chatbots and only use them for their intended purposes.
2. Ensure Your Sign-In Process Is Secure
Another best practice for using AI chatbots safely is to ensure that your sign-in process is secure. This means that you should use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and use a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/how-to-manage-passwords" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">password manager</a>.
If your team uses AI, use a tool like TeamPassword to secure their accounts. TeamPassword is a simple, <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">secure password manager</a> that makes proper cyber hygiene easy.&nbsp;
3. Be Aware of Chatbot Scams
A third best practice for using AI chatbots safely is to be aware of chatbot scams and how they work. Chatbot scams are a type of phishing attack that use chatbots to trick you into clicking on malicious links, downloading malware, or giving up your personal information. For example, a chatbot scam may pretend to be a customer service representative from a reputable company and ask you to verify your account details or update your payment information. Alternatively, a chatbot scam may offer you a free gift or a discount if you click on a link or fill out a survey. These are all signs of chatbot scams that you should avoid and report.
4. Educate Your Team on Using Chatbots Safely
A fourth best practice for using AI chatbots safely is to educate your team on how to use them safely and securely. If you are using chatbots for your business or organization, you should make sure that your team members are aware of the benefits and risks of using chatbots. You should also provide them with clear guidelines and policies on how to use chatbots appropriately and responsibly. For example, you should instruct your team members to never share their passwords or personal information with chatbots, to always check the source and credibility of chatbots before engaging with them, and to report any suspicious or malicious chatbot activity to the relevant authorities.
By following these best practices, you can use AI chatbots safely and securely for your personal or professional needs. AI chatbots can be a great asset for enhancing your productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, but they also require some caution and vigilance. Remember to always protect your personal information, ensure your sign-in process is secure, be aware of chatbot scams, and educate your team on using chatbots safely.
<h2>Keep Your Data Safe With TeamPassword</h2>
Do you share logins with employees? TeamPassword is a cost effective password vault built for <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">sharing credentials securely</a>.&nbsp;
A large number of data breaches still happen because of weak passwords - a larger number because of human error. Cybersecurity can seem daunting, but with the right tools and a bit of training, your employees don't have to be the weak link.&nbsp;
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Try Teampassword for free</a> for two weeks.&nbsp;

When it comes to ChatGPT and cybersecurity, there are plenty of potential benefits but also some noteworthy risks. Learn more about cybersecurity and AI here.

ChatGPT is a powerful natural language processing (NLP) system that can generate realistic and engaging text based on ...

ChatGPT and Cybersecurity: Risks, Potential Benefits & More

ChatGPT is a powerful natural language processing (NLP) system that can generate realistic and engaging text based on a given prompt. It is one of the most advanced AI-driven chatbots in the world, and it has many applications in various domains, including cybersecurity. However, as with any technology, ChatGPT also ...

Cybersecurity is a vital issue for any organization, but especially for nonprofits. Nonprofits often handle sensitive data such as donor information, volunteer records, financial transactions etc. They rely on online platforms and tools to communicate, collaborate, and fundraise. These factors make them attractive targets for cybercriminals who want to steal data, extort money, or disrupt operations.
We'll cover the main risks to be aware of, and go&nbsp;in-depth on each of these best practices:
<ol>
<li>Use Strong Passwords</li>
<li>Enable Two-Factor Authentication</li>
<li>Watch Out for Suspicious Emails</li>
<li>Use a Secure Fundraising Software</li>
<li>Educate Your Staff</li>
<li>Use a Password Manager</li>
</ol>
Here are the key takeaways you need to know about nonprofit cybersecurity:
<ul>
<li>Nonprofits face various cybersecurity risks, such as data theft, ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, and website defacement. These risks can have serious consequences for their operations, reputation, funding, and beneficiaries.</li>
<li>Nonprofits can protect themselves by following cybersecurity best practices, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, watching out for suspicious emails, using a secure fundraising software, implementing access management, and educating their staff.</li>
<li>Password managers are a tool with one of the best cost-benefit ratios for nonprofits. They shore up security and save time.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#commoncybersecurityrisks" rel="follow">Common Cybersecurity Risks for Nonprofits</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#bestpractices" rel="follow">Cybersecurity for Nonprofits: Best Practices to Follow</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#howteampasswordcanhelp" rel="follow">How TeamPassword Can Help You Secure Your Nonprofit</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="commoncybersecurityrisks">Common Cybersecurity Risks for Nonprofits</h2>
Nonprofits face many of the same cybersecurity risks as any other organization, but they may have fewer resources and expertise to deal with them. Some of the most common risks include:
<ul>
<li>Data theft: Cybercriminals may try to access your data, either by hacking into your systems or by tricking you into giving them your credentials. They may use this data for identity theft, fraud, blackmail, or selling it on the dark web.</li>
<li>Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your files and demands a ransom to unlock them. If you don&rsquo;t pay, you may lose your data permanently. Ransomware can affect your computers, servers, cloud storage, or even your website.</li>
<li>Denial-of-service attacks: A denial-of-service attack is when a cybercriminal floods your website or network with traffic or requests, making it slow or unavailable. This can affect your online presence, reputation, and ability to serve your beneficiaries.</li>
<li>Website defacement: Website defacement is when a cybercriminal alters your website&rsquo;s appearance or content, usually with malicious or offensive messages. This can damage your credibility and trust with your audience.</li>
</ul>
These risks are even more critical for nonprofits that must secure their internal data and that of donors and volunteers. If you suffer a data breach or a cyberattack, you may face legal liability, regulatory fines, reputational damage, loss of funding, and loss of trust. You may also jeopardize the safety and privacy of the people you serve.
That&rsquo;s why it&rsquo;s essential to take cybersecurity seriously and implement measures to prevent and <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/5-cybersecurity-mistakes-every-boss-should-be-aware-of-in-2023" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">mitigate these risks</a>. Here are some best practices to follow.
<h2 id="bestpractices">Cybersecurity for Nonprofits: Best Practices to Follow</h2>
Cybersecurity may seem daunting or complex, but it <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/10-easy-cybersecurity-strategies-for-small-businesses" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">doesn&rsquo;t have to be</a>. There are some simple and effective steps you can take to improve your security posture and reduce your exposure to cyberthreats. Here are some of them:
<h3>Use Strong Passwords</h3>
Passwords are the first line of defense for your online accounts and devices. They should be long, complex, unique, and hard to guess. A strong password should include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, symbols, and spaces. It should also avoid common words, names, dates, or phrases.
For example, a weak password would be something like&nbsp;<code>password123</code>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<code>nonprofit2023</code>. A strong password would be something like&nbsp;<code>!4nPr0f!t$3cur!ty@2023</code>.
<h3>Enable Two-Factor Authentication</h3>
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra layer of security that requires you to enter a code or use a device in addition to your password when logging in to an account. This way, even if someone steals or guesses your password, they won&rsquo;t be able to access your account without the second factor.
You should enable 2FA for all your online accounts that support it, especially those that handle sensitive data or transactions. You can use various methods for 2FA, such as SMS codes, email codes, authenticator apps, or hardware tokens.
<h3>Watch Out for Suspicious Emails</h3>
Email is one of the most common ways that cybercriminals try to trick you into giving them your data or access to your systems. They may send you emails that look legitimate but contain malicious links or attachments that can infect your device with malware or direct you to fake websites that ask for your credentials.
These emails are known as phishing scams and they can be very convincing. They may use logos, names, addresses, or other details that mimic those of legitimate organizations or people you know. They may also create a sense of urgency or curiosity to make you click on their links or attachments.
To avoid falling victim to phishing scams, you should always check the sender&rsquo;s email address carefully and look for any spelling or grammar errors in the message. You should also hover over any links before clicking on them and see if they match the expected destination. If you&rsquo;re not sure about an email&rsquo;s authenticity or legitimacy, don&rsquo;t open it or reply to it. Instead, contact the sender directly using another channel or report it as spam.
If you do get breached, read our guide on the subject <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;
<h3>Use Secure Fundraising Software</h3>
Fundraising is a core activity for most nonprofits, and it often involves collecting and processing personal and financial data from donors. This data needs to be protected from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
That&rsquo;s why you should use a secure fundraising software that offers features such as encryption, compliance, backup, and audit. Encryption is the process of transforming data into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted with a key. Compliance means that the software follows the relevant laws and regulations for data protection, such as GDPR or PCI DSS. Backup means that the software creates copies of your data and stores them in a safe location in case of loss or damage. Audit means that the software keeps track of who accesses or modifies your data and when.
By using a secure fundraising software, you can ensure that your donor data is safe and that you meet your legal and ethical obligations.
<h3>Implement Access Management</h3>
Access management is the process of controlling who has access to what data, apps, software, and services within your organization. It helps you prevent unauthorized or unnecessary access to your resources and reduce the risk of data leakage or misuse.
To implement access management, you should follow the principle of least privilege, which means that you should only grant access to the minimum amount of resources that each user needs to perform their role. You should also regularly review and update your access policies and permissions, and revoke access from users who no longer need it or who leave your organization.
Access management also involves using tools such as single sign-on (SSO) and password managers. SSO is a feature that allows users to log in to multiple apps or services with one set of credentials, instead of having to remember and enter different passwords for each one. Password managers are tools that store and manage your passwords securely, so you don&rsquo;t have to remember them or write them down.
<h3>Educate Your Staff</h3>
One of the most important aspects of cybersecurity is human behavior. Your staff are the ones who use your systems and devices, and they can either be your greatest asset or your weakest link when it comes to security.
That&rsquo;s why you should educate your staff on security best practices and how to recognize and avoid common threats. You should also create a security culture within your organization, where security is everyone&rsquo;s responsibility and not just an IT issue.
You can use various methods to educate your staff, such as training sessions, webinars, newsletters, quizzes, or simulations. <a href="https://www.wizer-training.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Wizer Training</a> is one such tool. You should also provide them with clear guidelines and policies on how to handle data, devices, passwords, emails, and incidents.
<h3>Use a Password Manager</h3>
As we mentioned earlier, passwords are essential for securing your online accounts and devices. However, managing passwords can be challenging and time-consuming. You may have dozens or hundreds of passwords to remember and enter for different apps or services. You may also have to change them frequently or share them with others.
That&rsquo;s where a password manager can help you. A password manager is a tool that stores and manages your passwords securely, so you don&rsquo;t have to remember them or write them down. It also helps you create strong passwords for each account and autofill them when you log in.
TeamPassword is a password manager <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">designed specifically for teams and businesses</a>. It allows you to store and share passwords with your colleagues easily and safely. It can autofill to the hundreds of websites you use everyday with its extension, available for all major browsers.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/0gCOt5oQBCE1vxckmRZC" alt="TP extension in action GIF (video) (1..." width="859" height="483">
<h2 id="howteampasswordcanhelp">How TeamPassword Can Help You Secure Your Nonprofit</h2>
TeamPassword is a frictionless, easy-to-use password manager with discounted pricing for nonprofits. Here are some of the key features and benefits of TeamPassword:
<ul>
<li>Security: TeamPassword uses industry-standard encryption to protect your passwords and data. It also offers enforceable 2FA, SSO, activity logs, admin and member permission levels, and more.</li>
<li>Simplicity: TeamPassword is easy to use and set up. You can create groups for different teams or projects and add users with a few clicks. You can also import or export passwords from other sources or formats.</li>
<li>Integration: Use browser extensions and mobile apps to access your passwords from anywhere.</li>
<li>Support: TeamPassword offers live support Monday through Friday. You can contact us anytime via email or chat if you have any questions or issues. We also offer discounts for nonprofits.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
TeamPassword can help you secure your nonprofit by making password management easy, fast, and convenient. You can save time and hassle by storing all your passwords in one place and accessing them with one click. You can also improve collaboration by sharing passwords with your team members securely and efficiently.
If you want to learn more about TeamPassword&rsquo;s features and benefits, check out our website&nbsp;<a h="ID=SERP,5042.1" target="_blank" href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="noopener">here</a>. If you want to see how TeamPassword works in action, <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">sign up for a free trial</a>.

Cybersecurity is critical for all organizations, including nonprofits. Learn more in this guide about cybersecurity for nonprofits.

Cybersecurity for Nonprofits: Keeping Your Nonprofit Secure

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is a Password Generator and Should I Use One

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

What is a Password Generator?

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

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

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

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

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

What is a Master Password and Do I Need One?

What is a Master Password?

Utility companies, such as those that provide electricity, natural gas, and water, are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. According to&nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/solutions/industries/docs/energy/security-benchmark-study-utilities.pdf" href="https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/solutions/industries/docs/energy/security-benchmark-study-utilities.pdf">recent data</a> compiled by Cisco, 73% of IT security professionals who work in utilities say they've experienced a public security breach. This is a startling percentage when compared to the 55% in other industries.
Organizations within the utility sector must improve their cybersecurity posture to prevent dangerous threats. After all, threats are not only harmful to business operations but also potentially detrimental to the communities that rely on utility services.
In this cybersecurity for utilities guide, we'll discuss the common threats these companies are up against, the unique challenges they face when adopting cybersecurity principles, and the best practices required to mitigate risks.
First, here are the five key things to understand about cybersecurity for utilities:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">The utility sector includes companies that supply many utilities, from water to natural gas. These companies also manage the delivery of these services and the utility infrastructure.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">There are many cyber threats facing utility companies, including hacking, phishing, ransomware, and other risks.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Utility companies face many challenges when improving their security posture, including the use of legacy systems, the need to comply with ever-evolving standards, and the cost of security initiatives.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">These companies can improve their security posture quickly by implementing threat detection, improving their password hygiene, securing their physical infrastructure, and following other best practices.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">TeamPassword can help utility companies protect their critical data through secure password management and generation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>[Table of Contents]</h3>
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#understandingutilities" rel="follow">Understanding the Utilities Sector &amp; Its Technology</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#commoncyberthreats" rel="follow">Common Cyber Threats Facing Utility Companies</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#challenges&amp;roadblocks" rel="follow">Cybersecurity for Utilities: Challenges &amp; Roadblocks</a></li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1"><a href="#7bestpractices" rel="follow">Cybersecurity for Utilities: 7 Best Practices</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="understandingutilities">Understanding the Utilities Sector &amp; Its Technology</h2>
The utilities sector includes a wide range of companies that supply various types of utilities. Some examples include electricity, water, natural gas, and sewage. These companies must also manage the delivery of these public services and the infrastructure required to provide them.
Managing utilities is complex. These companies must provide services such as electricity and water to an ever-growing population. At the same time, they must comply with many government regulations and heed the call to provide utilities in a way that supports the environment. Plus, they must do all of this while keeping a close eye on consumer costs and overall supply.
Luckily, the critical responsibilities of a utility company are being simplified through the support of modern technology. For example, using data analytics, utility companies can spot potential issues within the grid before outages occur, streamlining operations and saving costs.
Another example is found in the "<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid/smart_grid.html" href="https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid/smart_grid.html">smart grid</a>," which is inspiring electricity providers to adopt advanced technology such as digital meters that automatically report outages and usage. As a result, providers can boost the efficiency of utility delivery, lower costs for consumers, and more.
<h2 id="commoncyberthreats">Common Cyber Threats Facing Utility Companies</h2>
It's true that modern technology is improving the way utility companies deliver services and how consumers experience them. However, each new tech tool or solution implemented extends the attack surface, leaving utility companies vulnerable.
Some of the most common cyber threats facing utility companies include:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Hacking: According to the Threat Intelligence Index <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://securityintelligence.com/articles/todays-biggest-threats-against-the-energy-grid/" href="https://securityintelligence.com/articles/todays-biggest-threats-against-the-energy-grid/">report</a>, 40% of cyber attacks were cybercriminals trying to exploit or hack a public-facing application. These applications often include websites or databases.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Phishing: Another common threat is <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">phishing</a>. Using this method, cybercriminals send emails pretending to be from reputable companies or authorities. These emails ask for personal information, such as passwords, that can help attackers gain access to your systems.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="bullet" data-gc-list-depth="1">Ransomware: Using ransomware, attackers will use malicious software to block access to your critical computer systems until you pay a ransom.</li>
</ul>
Beyond these risks, utility companies are also susceptible to physical infrastructure attacks, data theft, and other threats. According to IBM's <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/DB4GL8YM?_ga=2.218868441.1301765225.1695318790-485307925.1692896475&amp;_gl=1*1acfkmr*_ga*NDg1MzA3OTI1LjE2OTI4OTY0NzU.*_ga_FYECCCS21D*MTY5NTMxODc4OS4yLjEuMTY5NTMxOTc1MC4wLjAuMA.." href="https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/DB4GL8YM?_ga=2.218868441.1301765225.1695318790-485307925.1692896475&amp;_gl=1*1acfkmr*_ga*NDg1MzA3OTI1LjE2OTI4OTY0NzU.*_ga_FYECCCS21D*MTY5NTMxODc4OS4yLjEuMTY5NTMxOTc1MC4wLjAuMA..">Security X-Force Threat Index</a>, energy firms were at the top of the victim list for cyber crimes in 2022, making up 20% of attacks.
For example, in 2022, Colorado Springs Utilities was a victim of <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.cpr.org/2022/07/14/colorado-springs-utilities-customer-personal-information-st/" href="https://www.cpr.org/2022/07/14/colorado-springs-utilities-customer-personal-information-st/">data theft</a> when criminals gained access to the personal information of 200,000 customers. And in Europe, the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2297896-cyberattack-causing-problems-at-ara-storage-terminals" href="https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2297896-cyberattack-causing-problems-at-ara-storage-terminals">refining hub</a> experienced an attack on six oil storage terminals that affected the loading and unloading of oil.
<h2 id="challenges&amp;roadblocks">Cybersecurity for Utilities: Challenges &amp; Roadblocks</h2>
Cybersecurity for utilities is different when compared to typical IT security. When attempting to improve their cybersecurity posture, it's common for utility companies to face roadblocks. To start, many companies are still using legacy systems that are difficult to secure and fail to play well with more modern security methods.
Another challenge is the need to comply with ever-evolving standards, such as those set forth by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.nerc.com/pa/Stand/Pages/default.aspx" href="https://www.nerc.com/pa/Stand/Pages/default.aspx">NERC</a>). Compliance can be difficult, especially as utility companies work to implement new technology for which security guidelines may not exist just yet.
Of course, cost is a consistent challenge for those providing power and other services. Since energy rates are heavily regulated, utility companies must be careful when budgeting for any improvements, including those surrounding security.
<h2 id="7bestpractices">Cybersecurity for Utilities: 7 Best Practices</h2>
Even with the above challenges, there are steps you can take to improve your company's security posture. These steps include:
<ol>
<li data-gc-list-style="ordered" data-gc-list-depth="1">Implementing threat detection.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="ordered" data-gc-list-depth="1">Securing your physical utility infrastructure.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="ordered" data-gc-list-depth="1">Performing regular system security audits.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="ordered" data-gc-list-depth="1">Training staff on security protocols.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="ordered" data-gc-list-depth="1">Implementing data backups and recovery plans.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="ordered" data-gc-list-depth="1">Improving password use and management.</li>
<li data-gc-list-style="ordered" data-gc-list-depth="1">Using a security framework as a guide.</li>
</ol>
<h3>#1. Implement Threat Detection</h3>
Threat detection is the process of identifying potential cyber risks and putting a process in place to mitigate them. Through threat detection, you can prevent attacks from damaging your critical systems and infrastructure.
In the past, threat detection was a manual process that was overwhelmingly time-consuming. Now, through <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/automated-cybersecurity" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/automated-cybersecurity">modern automation technology</a>, you have access to many threat detection and response (TDR) tools. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can be used to identify threats by analyzing data from various sources.
<h3>#2. Secure Physical Utility Infrastructure</h3>
Not all attacks may target your computer systems. It's possible that attackers may come against your physical utility infrastructure. In fact, there have been threats of terrorism directed at infrastructure such as power grids.
Other threats, such as natural disasters, may not be malicious in nature. However, they can quickly damage your facilities and leave consumers without the resources they need. The key is to secure your physical infrastructure and systems.
There are many ways to do this. For example, you can implement robust access control features that require all who must enter your location or access your systems to use a fob or key card. Other methods can also be used, such as the installation of surveillance cameras and sensors that can detect unauthorized access.
<h3>#3. Perform Regular System Security Audits</h3>
The threat landscape is changing rapidly. Securing your systems isn't a one-and-done process. You must ensure your security protocols are up to the challenge of even the newest threats. One way to make sure you're ready for whatever comes your way is to perform regular security audits.
A security audit is the process of testing your security protocols to identify and mitigate any weaknesses. These audits typically involve diving into data security, network security, and other critical elements to ensure they're compliant and free of potential security holes.
For most companies, security audits should be performed at least once per year. However, for utility companies, more frequent audits may be necessary.
<h3>#4. Train Staff on Security Protocols</h3>
Your staff is on the frontlines when it comes to defending your utility company against threats. And unfortunately, human error is often the cause of security risks. In fact, <a href="https://edubirdie.com/blog/the-psychology-of-human-error" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">88% of data breaches are caused by human error</a>.
It's critical to ensure your <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-best-practices-for-employees" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-best-practices-for-employees">employees understand security protocols</a> and know what to do in the event of an attack. To start, document your cybersecurity policies and protocols and keep them readily available to your team. Hold regular training sessions to discuss any policy changes or new threats.
It's also important to ensure your team understands how to use email correctly, how to access and use company data, and how to protect company information when using a mobile device.
<h3>#5. Implement Data Backups &amp; Recovery Plans</h3>
A critical element of threat detection and prevention is planning. You can get a jumpstart on preventing risks by implementing data backups and creating a recovery plan.
A data backup simply means creating a copy of your critical data and storing it elsewhere, such as in the cloud. Why back up your data? In the case of data theft or ransomware, for example, you'll still have access to the data you need to keep utilities available.
You should also have a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide">recovery plan</a> in place. In the event of a data breach or attack, the recovery plan outlines the necessary steps you should take to recover. Following a plan can help you mitigate threats faster, prevent long periods of downtime, and reduce the costs associated with cyber attacks.
<h3>#6. Improve Password Use &amp; Management</h3>
There's one thing that often stands between a cybercriminal and your critical systems: the humble password. One simple yet incredibly effective way of improving security is by creating stronger passwords and managing them effectively.
First, what makes a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password" href="https://teampassword.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-to-create-a-strong-password">strong password</a>? These passwords are longer than 12 characters, feature a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters, and don't include personal information. For the best results, use a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/password-generator" href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a> that can provide unhackable passwords at the click of a button.
Strong passwords should still be managed appropriately. For example, it's time to stop using spreadsheets to share passwords across teams. Instead, opt for a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/features" href="https://teampassword.com/features">password manager</a> tool, such as TeamPassword. Password managers store passwords for quick and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://teampassword.com/security" href="https://teampassword.com/security">secure logins</a> while also enabling seamless sharing for your employees.
<h3>#7. Use a Security Framework as a Guide</h3>
When it comes to cybersecurity for utilities, you don't have to start from scratch. There are various frameworks you can use as a guide for improving your security posture.
For example, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework" href="https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework">NIST</a>) provides an in-depth cybersecurity framework that covers everything from identifying threats to recovering from attacks. In addition, the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response offers the Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://www.energy.gov/ceser/cybersecurity-capability-maturity-model-c2m2" href="https://www.energy.gov/ceser/cybersecurity-capability-maturity-model-c2m2">C2M2</a>) for utility companies that must assess their security capabilities.
<h2>Protect Your Critical Systems With TeamPassword</h2>
By following the above best practices and using the tools and frameworks at your disposal, you'll be able to better protect your critical systems and infrastructure.
One step you can take today is to improve the way you use and manage passwords. TeamPassword can help. Our password management tools are designed especially for teams and offer a wide range of capabilities, from password generation to password sharing. Plus, it's easy to use! Get started today by <a rel="follow noopener" target="_blank" data-gc-link="https://app.teampassword.com/signup?_gl=1*14nmsrj*_gcl_au*MjEyNDYyMjE4Ny4xNjk0MDE3MDM2" href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup">signing up for TeamPassword</a>.

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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;

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