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Cybercrime targeting the real estate industry continues to be one of the most prevalent cybercrimes in the U.S. with thousands of victims and hundreds of millions in losses. 

The crazy part is the vast majority of these crimes are preventable with some fundamental cybersecurity practices. We want you to not only protect yourself, but to educate your clients to protect all ends of the real estate transaction. Here are 9 tips to help you get started:

1. Understand password security. Passwords should be long and strong; a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t reuse the same password for multiple account, particularly for highly important accounts like email and bank accounts. We highly recommend using a password keeper app. 
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts. This adds an extra layer of security for your accounts by requiring a second form of identification, such as a code sent via text message.
3. Update their software on your phones, computers, and other devices. Software updates fix vulnerabilities in products that can be exploited.
4. Understand phishing scams that come through email and text message. Make sure you know to check email addresses and URLs for signs of phishing, such as spelling errors and strange links.
5. Know the risks of using public Wi-Fi networks. Avoid accessing sensitive accounts while using public networks, as they can be easily hacked. If you do use public networks, it’s best to use a paid VPN service to secure your connection.
6. Validate websites and apps before use. In your web browser you should look for the https://, a padlock icon, and other indicators that the site or app is trusted and secure.
7. Make sure you have cyber insurance included in your business insurance policy. This can help cover any financial losses which may occur due to a cyber attack.
8. Create a backup of data. This can be done in the form of internal backups or cloud storage, and will allow quick recovery of any lost data in the event of an attack.
9. Educate your clients on the basics of cyber security. This includes topics such as malware, ransomware, and other malicious software, as well as how to prevent it from entering their systems.

By teaching your clients about cyber security, you can make them a part of your team in preventing fraud and cyber crimes targeting real estate transactions. Following these 9 tips is a great start for educating yourself and your clients. 

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