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Ultimate Guide to Password Security

States and governments are constantly introducing privacy laws that mirror the notable <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/gdpr-was-it-really-a-big-deal">European GDPR</a> and California's CCPA. Security and privacy must be a high priority for agencies handling data (like client social media passwords).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Storing client passwords securely is necessary not only to comply with laws and respect people's privacy, but also to maintain your reputation as a business. If your company earns a reputation for password mismanagement and causing leaks or <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/cybersecurity-complete-guide" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">data breaches</a>, you'll battle to find anyone who wants to work with you!
How do you store client social media passwords correctly? 
With a password manager.&nbsp;
Let's learn why a password manager is the best tool for the job, and how to use it effectively and efficiently.&nbsp;
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#importance" rel="follow">The Importance of Onboarding Clients Safely</a></li>
<li><a href="#examplesofpooronboarding" rel="follow">Examples of Poor Onboarding Practices</a></li>
<li><a href="#howtobuildtrust" rel="follow">How to Build Trust and Onboard Clients Securely</a></li>
<li><a href="#passwordsecurityrisks" rel="follow">Common Password Security Risks</a></li>
</ul>
Secure password management doesn't have to be expensive or disrupt workflows. TeamPassword is an <a href="https://teampassword.com/features" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">affordable password manager</a> designed for small businesses, startups, and agencies. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> to experience the ease and efficiency of robust password security with TeamPassword.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2 id="importance">The Importance of Onboarding Clients Safely</h2>
Firstly, violating GDPR, CCPA, and other State regulations could result in hefty fines. In Europe, under GDPR, the maximum penalty is &pound;20 million or 4% of annual turnover. Google, British Airways, H&amp;M, and Marriot have all learned this the hard way&mdash;each receiving fines over &euro;10,000,000.
CCPA punishes California-based organizations similarly to GDPR and can take action against companies outside of California and the United States for data violations against its citizens. Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Hawaii are working on similar data privacy laws with severe fines and penalties.
<a href="https://www.lockelord.com/newsandevents/publications/2022/12/us-state-privacy-laws-2023" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">New privacy laws are always in the works</a> - research your own area to stay abreast of laws applying to your or your business.&nbsp;
While most agencies don't operate anywhere near the turnover of the multinationals mentioned above, a relative fine will still hurt cash flow and your brand's reputation.&nbsp;
A secure and professional onboarding experience will not only ensure you comply with legislation, but it'll impress your clients and build trust. If your customers know they're in safe hands, then they're less likely to look elsewhere.

<h2 id="examplesofpooronboarding">Examples of Poor Onboarding Practices &amp; Associated Risks</h2>
When agencies onboard new clients, they typically require access to social media accounts and any tools&mdash;social media management, analytics, research, etc. This access means clients need to share their passwords with your company.
Here are some of the ways agencies onboard clients, the associated risks, and why you should avoid using them.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>Email</h3>
Email is a common way for clients and agencies to share passwords. It's also one of the most dangerous!&nbsp;
If someone breaches an employee or client's device, all they have to do is search your email using keywords like "password" or "Instagram password," and the relevant emails will appear. Even if you delete the emails, they usually stay in your deleted folder for 30 days.&nbsp;
It's also very easy to share emails, and you have no control over where employees, contractors, or freelancers forward these passwords&mdash;even if it's a mistake!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Spreadsheets</h3>
Like email, spreadsheets are easy to copy and share. They're also simple for hackers to find when they breach a device.&nbsp;
Spreadsheets are particularly bad for sharing passwords because you generally store multiple credentials in one place&mdash;making it easy to steal an entire asset list. Worse still, if you keep all your client's credentials in one spreadsheet under multiple tabs!&nbsp;
The biggest issue with spreadsheets is that you can't segment access without creating multiple spreadsheets, which can become confusing if you deal with many clients and teams.
It's a cybersecurity best practice to give each person the minimum access they need to do their job. This includes passwords, tools, credentials - anything that can be misused in the wrong hands. If you store passwords in spreadsheets, it's incredibly inconvenient to follow this best practice.&nbsp;
<h3>Text &amp; Messaging Apps</h3>
Another common way people share passwords is via text or messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Slack, and others. This method exposes similar vulnerabilities to email and spreadsheets where you have no control over unauthorized sharing. You also have to worry about team members losing their devices!&nbsp;
Many of these apps store your messages on a server, which means they're vulnerable to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/facebook-hacks-a-history-of-security-breaches-at-facebook" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">data breaches</a>&mdash;which happen more often than you think!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>Forms</h3>
Another way agencies onboard clients and capture data like passwords is by using forms. A little more secure than other methods, but where do those submissions go? And how do you store and share the passwords once you receive them?&nbsp;
Form submissions often end up in email inboxes, which defeats the point of "securely transferring" data from your clients.&nbsp;
The most significant risk with these four onboarding methods is that employees use and share raw credentials. If you're <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/should-i-share-data-with-freelancers" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">sharing passwords with freelancers</a>, then that's even more problematic!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h2 id="howtobuildtrust">How to Build Trust and Onboard Clients Securely</h2>
So, how do you receive data like client social media passwords securely? And how do you store and share credentials with coworkers safely?&nbsp;
With <a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a>, you can capture client social media passwords and share those credentials with your teams. Here's how...
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
First, create a TeamPassword group for your client.
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">If you haven't already, <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">sign up for a TeamPassword account</a>. It's free to try for 14 days&mdash;no credit card required.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Navigate to your organization profile under Manage Teams.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Click Groups and Add a Group.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Use your client's name for the group and click Save Changes.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Now, it's time to onboard your client and enter their passwords directly into TeamPassword's encrypted vault. TeamPassword's minimalist UI makes it easy to navigate and enter the required information.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/YIktmkpRbyMiWcXVRPSK" alt="undefined" width="837" height="455">
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Under People, click Invite Your Team.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Enter your client's email address, set the Permission level to Member. Under Add to groups (optional): check the box next to your client's name and click Send Invitation.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Your client will receive an invite to join your TeamPassword account. They accept the invite by following the email link and creating a username and password.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">On the dashboard, your client clicks the blue and white + button to add a new password.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Now, they fill in: 
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Name Easily identifiable such as Acme - Instagram. This makes it searchable and differentiates it from your other clients' Instagram accounts.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Login URL If unsure, have them enter the root domain -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com</a> for example.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Username and Password fields.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Notes: they can use this field to add any additional instructions.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Share with: your client should check your company name (not Only Me (Private))</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">When they click your company name, a second box will appear where your client needs to check their name and&nbsp;not Everyone at (Your Company).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lastly, they click Save, the password saves to your account and immediately appears on your TeamPassword dashboard.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Your client repeats steps 4 to 8 for all of their passwords, and you have securely captured their data without exposing credentials. &nbsp;
As the account owner, you can edit your client's credentials to correct any onboarding errors.&nbsp;
We highly recommend resetting all of your client's passwords to ensure they're strong and every account has unique credentials. Your client can view the new credentials and use TeamPassword's browser extensions or mobile app to continue to log in to their accounts.&nbsp;
It's a good idea to share an instructional video (using Loom or similar) or provide live onboarding to guide them through the process.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
If your client isn't using a password manager, encourage them to <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">sign up for TeamPassword</a> to securely store and share all of their company credentials.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2 id="passwordsecurityrisks">Common Password Security Risks</h2>
Here are the top five <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/top-five-mistakes-when-sharing-passwords-with-your-team" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">mistakes companies make when sharing passwords</a> with teams.
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Creating Weak Passwords: weak passwords make it easy for attackers to breach your digital assets. Never use your company/platform (like Instagram or Twitter) name, sequential numbers (123), and other easy-to-guess personal/company information. TeamPassword features a built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a>, so teams always create strong, random passwords with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Storing Passwords in Plaintext: plaintext includes emails, digital note pads, spreadsheets, messaging apps. <a href="https://teampassword.com/security" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword uses AES 256-Bit encryption</a> to store your passwords. We hash, salt, and encrypt data locally on your computer before uploading them to our servers. Not even TeamPassword employees can view your passwords!</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Reusing Passwords: reusing passwords exposes you to <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/five-most-common-password-attacks" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">credential stuffing attacks</a> where hackers use the same credentials to access other accounts using the same username and password combination. With TeamPassword's password generator, you can create unique credentials for every account.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Memorable Passwords: we often create passwords using memorable words or phrases, like pets/family names, street addresses, mobile numbers, etc. Hackers know this! With some social media research, criminals can gather "keywords" about your life and add them to password-cracking algorithms to perform what's called a <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/five-most-common-password-attacks" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">dictionary attack</a>&mdash;a highly focused brute force attack where algorithms try username and password combinations until they find a match.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Changing Passwords Frequently: if you're not using a password manager or password generator, changing passwords too frequently could expose vulnerabilities. Employees tend to develop password-creation patterns which hackers can use to guess your credentials or refine algorithms for a dictionary attack.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
When you're working with high-value clients, these sorts of password attacks are not out of the realm of possibility! Always use a password manager to keep your client's social media passwords and other digital assets safe from attack!
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Try TeamPassword for Free</h2>
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Sign up for a free TeamPassword trial</a> to test our password manager with your team and clients. Stop using poor onboarding practices and provide peace of mind for your clients with <a href="https://teampassword.com/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword</a>.

Worried that you're jeopardizing your client's social media accounts? Learn how to store their credentials securely and efficiently.

Make sure you always use a password manager to keep your client's social media passwords and other digital ...

How to store client social media passwords correctly

Make sure you always use a password manager to keep your client's social media passwords and other digital assets safe from attack!

<h1>Smishing: What you need to know to keep yourself safe in 2024</h1>
About 400 million spam SMS messages are sent everyday in America alone. Most of them include malicious links to spoofed homepages designed to steal your sensitive information, such as bank details or your work email password. This is what is meant by smishing, and a single successful SMS scam has the potential to cost your business millions.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s what you need to know to protect yourself from smishing attacks.
TeamPassword makes it easy to keep your accounts safe from cybercriminals. Don&rsquo;t believe us? Sign up for a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">14-day free trial today</a> and try for yourself.

[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#whatis" rel="follow">What is smishing?</a></li>
<li><a href="#statistics" rel="follow">Smishing statistics</a></li>
<li><a href="#tactics" rel="follow">Smishing tactics</a></li>
<li><a href="#examples" rel="follow">Smishing examples</a></li>
<li><a href="#prevent" rel="follow">How do you prevent smishing attacks?</a></li>
</ul>

<h2 id="whatis">What is smishing?&nbsp;</h2>
Here is a simple definition of smishing:
Smishing definition: Smishing, for SMS + phishing, is a cybersecurity attack that uses text messages to send malicious links to individuals in hopes of obtaining their sensitive information.
Simply put, smishing is the latest version of phishing. As a refresher, here&rsquo;s the progression in cyberattack attack vectors from email through phone calls and now text messages:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/spear-phishing">Phishing</a> uses emails to guide people towards spoofed homepages to steal data.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/vishing">Vishing</a>, for voice + phishing, uses the phone with a similar goal in mind&mdash;to get the person to divulge personal or corporate information that can be used in further cyberattacks.
</li>
<li>
Smishing is the latest evolution and takes advantage of the poor spam protection in place for SMS messaging.
</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="statistics">Smishing statistics&nbsp;</h2>
According to <a href="https://www.robokiller.com/spam-text-insights">Robokiller</a>, over 19 billion spam SMS messages were sent in America in December 2023 alone, representing about 19 messages per person. Most of these are smishing scams. &nbsp;
To put that into perspective, that&rsquo;s approximately 3 billion SMS scam messages sent per week in 2023, over 400 million per day, and nearly 300,000 per minute.&nbsp;
The most affected states by volume are California, Texas, Georgia, Florida, and New York.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/woRxuFEAQOCk8NNZKEcV" alt="undefined" width="500" height="333">
<h2></h2>
<h2 id="tactics">Smishing tactics</h2>
Just like phishing and vishing, smishing attacks typically attempt to either entice you to click a link with the promise of a reward or scare you into clicking with the warning of some major financial loss.&nbsp;
As shown with real-world smishing examples in the next section, two common types of rewards are packages that couldn&rsquo;t be delivered or cash that couldn&rsquo;t be transferred. It&rsquo;s easy to be fooled by these as the average family is ordering so much from Amazon that it can be hard to remember whether or not you are waiting on a delivery.&nbsp;
Likewise, digital cash apps have gone from niche business to the norm in the last five years, and they often provide little recourse if someone unwittingly transfers money as part of a scam.&nbsp;
On the other side, many smishing messages try to scare you into thinking an important account, usually a bank, streaming service, or telecom account, has been compromised and if you don&rsquo;t check now something bad could happen. The sad irony, of course, is that if you click on their dangerous link and fill in your account details on their spoofed homepage, your account will in fact soon be compromised.
<h2></h2>
<h2 id="examples">Smishing examples&nbsp;</h2>
To help prove the smishing stats above are accurate, here are some real world smishing examples from my iPhone over the last couple weeks. Note that I am in Canada, so while the particulars might be different (Canada Post not USPS, Rogers not AT&amp;T, INTERAC e-Transfer not Venmo, CRA not IRS, and CIBC not BOA), the strategies should be all too familiar. &nbsp;
These real-world smishing examples display both the &ldquo;reward&rdquo; and &ldquo;warning&rdquo; style of SMS scams.&nbsp;
<h3>Reward-style smishing examples</h3>
<img height="223" width="277" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/kz46pOhfIJpwAS4jTjdFb55_bi-biALW8dhc8QEvVGb78Tses0hKMwQebRIKMQGmcZBqYAbdka6M_5HJBbCGA8W4LhJseY0HloWhL51K_bbPH74Utn2H9HWjb05kSx41bNUyS8IVxhB2tvwUzW1fJk-1u569JVLOrDa4B1QD5-XX6lcaO0CN7pLpF6Xy7w" alt="Smishing text claiming to be Canada Post with a link to a spoofed Canada Post page.">

<img height="315" width="247" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/ieQ0D5N_4zmY0SrTViN7l2TfObS8cTFRo7CugUaqmdeauisL8-JpvUbHIQOMjvcnL0LCKMHpgT3jAjgogFEMBlOtKDQv2a1991DdZQ7a5PfIViQ_gImrSM192BZLDbZZnblbf3yjPu7CDC5MRyr6P5H7UYEyXrb0-jZ6U4OPWCpsw7yUc1AActH3vOjc4A" alt="Third-party delivery service SMS scam message saying you will not get your delivery without clicking the dangerous link.">

<img height="223" width="260" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/CszyGoEEbHshbavo56q2-sH-ylYsRVagphKg1-WZwYZh8Me_TfG7BqOd3F6zulXHgOZZ815VEJ2Kh9P3MG7DP-LUo7hsGMdBdrJkwt8_wr03UzqxdF4aqOFeh9yXFWcpz7z33VmlAoWuA_e51NNozeVVh63H7G78BgmAcGUzHCWawOdMUUrKvgiBbybkag" alt="Smishing text claiming to be for an INTERAC e-Transfer, hoping you&rsquo;ll compromise your banking details in exchange for $450 from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).">
In these three examples, the smishing messages claim to be in possession of something that cannot be transferred without more information. Two are product deliveries which could not be safely dropped off at a house. They claim that, to get those deliveries, you must click the malicious links and provide further information.&nbsp;
In the third example, the scammers are claiming to be from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), which is the equivalent to the IRS in America, which apparently owes the receiver $450 to be sent via INTERAC e-Transfer. To receive the funds, you will be asked to divulge your banking details.&nbsp;
<h3>Warning-style smishing examples</h3>
<img height="214" width="249" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/othoH8Hmkk-4ayxBPqm8P2_hyRHLh__RdqN1P_w21P80_odu8517hwO7P8qcAd0oH0o4sKaxA7gyNa761pMj2sfL0DiuYdw2FGNeAfUu69s-Ebe-6_BHKGnyOGaduFVeo6LHsbwUjw2efztY_bIWj1ALRFynRMbASC_MCpHNVAb_PA2j9tMv6XCIiPJnOw" alt="A smishing SMS message claiming to be Rogers with a warning that a payment could not be processed, which could lead to service interruptions within 24 hours.]">

<img height="220" width="262" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/6-XxrP3JGeSasj4H0fi5SJPXmYH0adk97jvukXMg8Ca3S7TjoiW-LyWRuqch5P0805ZGLRVOrh8txFF5WqrYyr46dGbnQXwDSWjmJAqcgT9Sr7_tuaT_kNY6Bb95KCxGcgO63ya3KPUd7IrWuyjrl9x1FYm9NHTAVGGHRia2S_3EiJRGIq56IX-POEfulA" alt="An SMS scam text claiming that your CIBC debit card has been locked due to unusual activity.">&nbsp;
Here are some common examples of scare tactics used in smishing campaigns. In the first example, the criminals claim to work for Rogers, which is a major Internet, cable TV, and mobile phone provider in Canada. While logically most people know they are too valuable as customers to lose service within 24 hours of a missed payment, this is a very common part of a smishing message.&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s because adding a ticking clock makes it more likely that someone will quickly click on the malicious link instead of double-checking their payment history on their banking app to see whether their last payment went through. &nbsp;
In the second case, the hackers are pretending to be a large bank in Canada (CIBC). If you don&rsquo;t know already, debit cards issued by the same bank have the same first four digits. This added detail makes the SMS message seem more legitimate to those who don&rsquo;t know that.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2 id="prevent">How do you prevent smishing attacks?&nbsp;</h2>
The sad truth is that governments seem unwilling to make strong laws against spam emails, phone calls, and text messages. Telecom companies are likewise unwilling to voluntarily take on the burden of protecting their clients from phishing, vishing, and smishing on their own. It&rsquo;s too expensive, difficult, and it would open them up to liability if they took on the responsibility.&nbsp;
That means it is up to individuals to keep themselves safe against the dozens of SMS scams they will encounter every month. The most important thing you can do is be vigilant. &nbsp;
When you receive a text message or email, assume any rewards are too good to be true. Conversely, if it&rsquo;s trying to scare you into an action, take a deep breath and know that nothing ever requires your immediate action.&nbsp;
Some smishing threats are easier to detect. For example, the IRS isn&rsquo;t going to make you pay a debt with Bitcoin or Apple Store gift cards. However, even the seemingly legitimate ones, such as the CIBC example above, have the telltale signs of scams. Look at the URL. That is not the real CIBC web address.&nbsp;
If you are unsure, close the text message and go to your banking app. If something does seem wrong, get on the phone and call the bank. (Use the phone number listed in the app and not one in the text message!)
Along with general training around being skeptical, businesses can equip their employees with the tools needed to enhance their cybersecurity. Foremost among these is a password manager that <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/strong-password-generator">generates and stores a unique, strong, and random password</a> for each account.&nbsp;

<h2>Use TeamPassword to prevent smishing attacks&nbsp;</h2>
TeamPassword stores all of your usernames and passwords securely. While the bogus web addresses could fool an employee who is distracted or not trained to look, it won&rsquo;t prompt your password manager to fill in your protected details.&nbsp;
Furthermore, by creating and securely storing unique, random, and strong passwords for each account, one mistake will never multiply to hackers having all of your credentials. Finally, having safe and easy ways to share accounts with coworkers means there is no need to ever share passwords through unsafe means, such as in a reply to a phishy text message.
TeamPassword can protect your important accounts from smishers. Don&rsquo;t believe us? <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial today</a> and try for yourself.

Smishing is the latest form of phishing. Scam SMS text messages are sent in hopes users will click on malicious links and then divulge data.

Smishing is the latest form of phishing. Scam SMS text messages are sent out in hopes users will ...

Smishing: What you need to know to keep yourself safe in 2024

Smishing is the latest form of phishing. Scam SMS text messages are sent out in hopes users will click on malicious links and then divulge sensitive data.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top 5 Safest Password Managers

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

Consider a typical day at a digital marketing agency. How many client and company accounts do you think you log into over the course of a day? Ten? Twenty? Amongst all the employees at a digital marketing agency, there could be hundreds of logins each day into private accounts.
That&rsquo;s why password protection for digital agencies should be a top priority and not an afterthought.
Unfortunately, many digital marketing agencies fail to follow password management best practices. Perhaps the <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/the-state-of-the-password-problem-in-2021" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">most concerning example</a> of poor password management is that nearly <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/world-password-day-the-first-thursday-in-may" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">70% of all Americans use the same password</a> for multiple accounts, at home and at work. And when you consider that over <a href="https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/99529-3-in-4-people-at-risk-of-being-hacked-due-to-poor-password-practices" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">80% of all data breaches result from poor password</a> security, the potential for a data breach in a digital marketing agency is monumental.
For the safety and reputation of your company, as well as the security of the many client accounts accessed on a daily basis, password protection for digital agencies is a critical necessity. Thankfully, password management best practices are fairly easy to follow, and can significantly reduce the risk of a data breach.
Here are five key takeaways to act upon now:
<ul>
<li>Strong, Unique Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for each account to minimize the risk of a major data breach. Utilizing a password manager can help generate highly secure, encrypted passwords.</li>
<li>Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of protection by enabling 2FA on work accounts. This acts as a deterrent to hackers and enhances security, especially when combined with strong passwords.</li>
<li>Avoid Password Sharing: Ensure that employees do not share passwords. Each individual should have a unique password for every login or application, making it easier for IT admins to manage security and control account access.</li>
<li>Secure Wi-Fi Practices: Remote workers should secure their home Wi-Fi networks, and employees working outside the office should avoid using public Wi-Fi for logging into accounts to prevent data hijacking by hackers.</li>
<li>Use a Password Manager: Implement a password manager, like TeamPassword, to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account. Password managers simplify the process of adhering to password management best practices and enhance overall security for digital agencies.</li>
</ul>
[Table of Contents]
<ul>
<li><a href="#stronguniquepasswords" rel="follow">Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account</a></li>
<li><a href="#enable2fa" rel="follow">Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</a></li>
<li><a href="#dontsharepasswords" rel="follow">Don&rsquo;t Share Passwords</a></li>
<li><a href="#donotaccessprivateaccounts" rel="follow">Do Not Access Private Accounts Using Public Wi-Fi</a></li>
<li><a href="#useapasswordmanager" rel="follow">Use a Password Manager</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Password Management Best Practices</h2>
Hackers and cybercriminals don&rsquo;t always choose random targets, and they don&rsquo;t just target large corporations as the media might make it seem. Instead, they target smaller businesses where the chances of a successful cyberattack are high. <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/top-5-security-threats-for-small-businesses" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Digital marketing agencies are at particular risk</a> and a common target due to the high number of accounts a hacker might be able to access. Hackers are relying on employees not following password management best practices. Don&rsquo;t make it easy for them.
<h3 id="stronguniquepasswords">Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account</h3>
The first defense against a major data breach is using strong, unique passwords for each account. That way, even if one account is breached, the hacker will not have the password to access additional accounts. However, it is also important to realize that even user-generated passwords can be vulnerable &mdash; in fact, a Deloitte study revealed that over <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/90-percent-of-passwords-vulnerable-to-hacking-2013-1" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">90% of user-generated passwords are still vulnerable</a> to cyberattacks.
So how can digital marketing agencies combat cyber threats? Simply by using a <a href="https://teampassword.com/">password manager</a> to generate highly secure, encrypted passwords that help keep your accounts and critical data safe. More on using password managers in a bit. First, consider the next important step in password protection for digital agencies.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/tj8gEkSCTwiowMUAocHy" alt="Built-in password generator.gif" width="573" height="436">
Built-in password generator
<h3 id="enable2fa">Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)</h3>
You may have experienced <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/2fa-vs-mfa" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">2FA</a> already with some of your own personal accounts. But by enabling two-factor authentication on as many work accounts as possible, you can add an extra layer of password protection for digital agencies. Accounts enabled with 2FA make data much more secure and are a major deterrent to hackers.
Understandably, employees who aren&rsquo;t apt to change their passwords much probably aren&rsquo;t going to enjoy the extra login step required by 2FA either. But when used in conjunction with a strong password, 2FA offers additional protection against other <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/five-most-common-password-attacks" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">types of password attacks</a> such as social engineering and phishing attempts as well.
<h3 id="dontsharepasswords">Don&rsquo;t Share Passwords with Anyone</h3>
Another important step in ensuring strong password protection for digital agencies is for all employees to avoid sharing passwords. Each employee should have their own unique password for every login or app. This makes it easier for IT admins to keep a good handle on security, and also ensures that only those who are authorized can access an account.
When using a tool where shared credentials are necessary, they should only be shared and accessed within an encrypted environment - i.e., a password manager.&nbsp;
<h3 id="donotaccessprivateaccounts">Do Not Access Private Accounts Using Public Wi-Fi</h3>
Much of today&rsquo;s workforce consists of <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/remote-work-isnt-just-a-trend-its-the-future" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">hybrid and remote workers</a>. Digital marketers working from home must take care to ensure that their Wi-Fi network is secure and that their systems and software are updated. Likewise, employees working in the field or while out on a lunch break must avoid using public Wi-Fi to log into accounts. It is too easy for hackers and cybercriminals to hijack data being sent over a public network.
VPNs make this safer by encrypting your data so it's harder to intercept. Understand, however, that you must trust your VPN provider - they're handling your data!
<h3 id="useapasswordmanager">Use a Password Manager</h3>
As we mentioned earlier, using a password manager serves a multitude of benefits. For starters, it eliminates the need for employees to attempt to remember a number of unique passwords. Password managers work by generating strong, unique passwords for each account, which are then stored in an encrypted account. Employees then need only remember one password to access the information in the password manager, which subsequently grants entry to the desired account.
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/0gCOt5oQBCE1vxckmRZC" alt="TP extension in action GIF (video) (1).gif" width="871" height="490">
Additionally, password managers are much more adept at generating strong passwords, using a long string of random upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, as opposed to patterns that make passwords weaker.
Password managers also make it easy to change passwords for multiple accounts as often as you&rsquo;d like. That means you can have all your employee&rsquo;s passwords changed without causing a ripple in productivity while still adhering to password management best practices.
<h2>How TeamPassword Can Help</h2>
TeamPassword is a business-oriented password manager specially designed to solve many of the security threats that small businesses and digital marketing agencies face daily.
The biggest challenge, of course, is managing passwords and providing secure access to team members. TeamPassword solves these challenges and more with flexible password management to suit the size of your teams and your business.&nbsp;
Protect your agency today with&nbsp;<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">TeamPassword's free 14-day trial</a>!

Password protection for digital agencies is essential as hackers continue to target businesses that work with multiple client accounts.

Password protection for digital agencies is more important than ever as hackers continue to target businesses working with ...

Password Protection Best Practices | TeamPassword

Password protection for digital agencies is more important than ever as hackers continue to target businesses working with multiple business and client accounts.

Password Protection Best Practices for Digital Agencies

Over the last decade, the gig economy boom has allowed professionals worldwide to switch to freelancing and build a network of international clients.&nbsp;
According to Upwork, 1 in 3 US workers engaged in freelance work during 2020. Some of the most successful freelancers earn hundreds of thousands of dollars per year through platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Does your company hire freelancers? How do you <a href="https://teampassword.com/blog/should-i-share-data-with-freelancers">share passwords with freelancers</a>? TeamPassword is an affordable password management solution for small businesses, startups, and agencies to share credentials securely with team members and freelancers. <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a 14-day free trial</a> today.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>10 Successful Freelancers</h2>
Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field with excellent track records&mdash;many have worked with the biggest companies in the world!
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<h3>1. Scott Luscombe - Graphic Designer / Shopify Expert / Website Developer / Copywriter&nbsp; - Canada</h3>
Scott Luscombe is a freelance graphic designer, Shopify expert, website developer, and copywriter from Uxbridge, Canada. He holds a degree in Illustration from Sheridan College and a degree in Marketing from the University of Toronto.
Scott has been a freelancer for most of his professional career and has earned over $500k on Upwork. He has completed over 311 jobs and worked&nbsp;10,956 hours!&nbsp;
Scott's work includes graphic design and branding, illustration and icons, copywriting, website design and development, UX/UI, and printing and packaging. He also provides freelance coaching and consulting. Scott is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer currently charging $99 per hour for various creative gigs.
Some of Scott's most notable work includes designs for Coca-Cola, the Canadian Cancer Society, Nickelodeon, and Wallet Ninja (to name a few).&nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>2. Kathy Edens - Marketing Consultant / Freelance Copywriter - United States</h3>
<a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~016177d19f0624c1a7?viewMode=1">Kathy Edens is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with over $300k platform earnings! Kathy has been self-employed as a marketing consultant and freelance copywriter for almost ten years from her home in Ohio, United States.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing and Psychology from Oregon State University, which she says "...helps me understand how to reach your target audience with words."&nbsp;
Kathy has ghost-written several non-fiction books on various topics, including social entrepreneurship, healthcare, real estate investing, and the cannabis industry, to name a few.
Kathy also writes web content, sales pages, email marketing content, case studies, white papers, brochures, press releases, and more. Kathy's rates start at $86 per hour for her writing and marketing services.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>3. Koen van Oeveren - UX designer - Netherlands</h3>
Koen van Oeveren is a freelance UI &amp; UX designer from North Brabant, Netherlands, with almost ten years of experience. Koen works with several design agencies in the Netherlands, designing apps, websites, and eCommerce experiences for many international brands.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Koen holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Communication and Multimedia Design from Avans University in the Netherlands. Koen's <a href="https://www.koenvo.com/index.html">portfolio website Koenvo</a> was nominated for a <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/sites/koenvo-ui-ux-portfolio">2021 awwwards. Award</a>.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3>4. Pascal Strasche - Product / UX designer - Germany</h3>
Pascal Strasche is a product and UX designer with more than ten years of design experience from Germany. He holds a Master of Arts in Interaction Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, both from HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
For almost a year over 2020/2021, Pascal worked as the sole product designer to design Con Cubo's SaaS tool that helps complex organizations visualize and manage teams. He's also worked with German steel giant XOM Materials to find product solutions to digitalize&nbsp;Germany's steel industry.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
In 2019, Pascal founded Product Design Resources, a growing archive of 800+ design resources, weekly updated for the design community.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>5. Paul Hunkin - Developer - New Zealand</h3>
Paul Hunkin is a freelance software consultant and developer from Tauranga, New Zealand, but currently living in Portugal.&nbsp;
Paul has over ten years of experience as a software developer with an impressive work history, including Google, NASA, InfoSys, and the Chinese aerospace industry leader COMAC.
He's worked with several early-stage startups designing everything from high-performance big-data systems to complex web applications to 3D rendering engines. He's also built a lot of the foundational code for independent games on Android.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Paul is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. His rates start at $120 per hour for software development. <a href="https://paulh.consulting/">Check out Paul's website</a> for more about his impressive portfolio and work history.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>6. Jana Galat - Writer / Brand Strategist - Canada</h3>
Jana Galat is a freelance copywriter and brand strategist from Ontario, Canada. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Organizational Studies from King's University College and an Honors in Business Administration from Western University.
Jana has extensive experience writing landing pages, email campaigns, social media ads, and print materials and says, "I am obsessed with creating copy that sells..."
After several years of professional work experience, Jana went freelance in 2019 and has quickly built a reputation as a <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01bfa17a48301876dd">Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with over $70k in platform earnings. Jana's rates start at $100 per hour for copywriting and brand consulting.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>7. Kate H. - Logo Designer / Branding Expert - United States</h3>
Kate is a freelance professional logo designer and branding expert from Maryland, United States. Kate&nbsp;ran her own green wedding brand which she sold to mywedding.com in 2014, allowing her to focus on helping small&nbsp;businesses figure out what they want (and who they are) and translate that into design.
She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management from Yale School of The Environment, and a J.D. in environmental law from Pace Law School.&nbsp;
Kate's skillset includes redesigning and updating material to make it easier to understand, building a consistent brand from a simple starting point like a logo, and creating unique logos that guarantee results.
Kate is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer, and her rates start at $225 per hour. You can find out more about Kate on her <a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~013ce73876c1c18126" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Upwork profile</a>.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>8. Marcos Rezende - UX designer - Canada</h3>
Marcos Rezende is a UX Designer from Ontario, Canada, with more than 13 years of experience. Marcos has worked in over 30 industry sectors for multinational organizations in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Brazil.&nbsp;
Some of Marcos' notable projects include apps for Ontario's COVID-19 dashboard, Urban Master Planning collaboration platform, and Reaction (kid's e-learning app), to name a few.&nbsp;
Marcos loves sharing his industry expertise with aspiring UX designers and regularly writes for the popular UX publication Career Foundry. Total recognizes Marcos as part of its "Top 3%" of global freelancer talent&mdash;a title given to elite freelancers in their given field.
We don't have access to Marcos' rates, but the best UX designers on Upwork earn upwards of $100 per hour. As a Toptal Top 3% freelancer, Marcos likely charges $200-$300 per hour.
<a href="https://www.marcosrezende.com/">Marcos Rezende's website</a> was nominated for the prestigious <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/sites/ux-portfolio-marcos-rezende">awwwards.</a> in 2021.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>9. Tanya Litvinova - UX/UI Designer - United States</h3>
Tanya Litvinova is a freelance UX/UI designer from New York City, United States. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design / Communication Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Tanya specializes in product, mobile, and web design as well as user experience flow, research, and validation.
"I have a passion to make the complex simple, shape behavior, design, plan, and strategize. Aiming for the best user experience, all the while balancing the needs of business and technology to create engaging, habit-forming digital products."
Tanya has worked with Fortune 100 &amp; Fortune 500 companies and successfully delivered business-transforming data-driven analytics, responsive BI dashboards, enterprise web apps, and management systems. Some of Tanya's notable clients include KOCH Industries, BlackRock Financial, BCG Group, and FireEye, to name a few.
<a href="https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0165035041b26e96df">Tanya is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer</a> with more than $200k platform earnings. Her current rate starts at $162.50 per hour.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<h3>10. Guangming Lang - Data Scientist - United States</h3>
Guangming Lang is a freelance data scientist from Michigan, United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from New College of Florida and a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan. Guangming has also completed several Coursera courses in data science and machine learning.
Guangming has been a freelancer since 2013 and has worked across several industries, including fintech, trading, medicine, biotech, advertising, and HR.&nbsp;
Guangming is a Top Rated Upwork Freelancer with over $400k in platform earnings. He's completed 216 jobs on Upwork totaling 3,805 hours! Guangming's current rates start at $200 per hour.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Secure Freelancer Workflows With TeamPassword</h2>
No matter how talented or reputable the freelancers and contractors you hire, your company must use secure workflows to protect your digital assets.
Freelancers often need access to shared accounts and tools. Using a <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password manager</a> is the first step to securing these accounts and platforms. You can also use a password manager to share credentials with employees, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure you never expose raw passwords via email, spreadsheets, chat apps, and other non-secure methods.
<a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">TeamPassword</a> lets you create groups to share access with only those who need it. When they're done, revoke access with a single click. No need to change passwords every time someone leaves the team.
If you do need to change a password, TeamPassword's built-in <a href="https://teampassword.com/password-generator">password generator</a> lets you create secure passwords between 12-32 characters using numbers, letters (uppercase/lowercase), and symbols.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Ready to onboard clients and freelancers securely with TeamPassword's robust <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">password management solution</a>? <a href="https://app.teampassword.com/dashboard#signup/testimonial">Sign up for a free trial</a> to secure your company's digital assets today!

Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field.

Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in ...

10 extremely successful freelancers and what they do

Here are ten successful freelancers and what they do. These freelancers have earned their place as experts in their given field with excellent track records—many have worked with the biggest companies in the world!

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

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

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

Have I Been Hacked? How to Know for Sure.

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

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

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

TeamPassword Blog

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