Realtors make it a point to keep up with the latest information on cyber security because protecting their clients' private information is their top priority. At a recent Silicon Valley Association of Realtors meeting on cyber security, Nicholas McGowan, a Petaluma police sergeant and member of the San Francisco Crimes Task Force and the Bay Area chapter of the High Technology Crime Investigators Association, told Realtors cyber security is a concern not only for businesses, but for anyone who connects to the internet.
Cyber criminals seek to identify and retrieve passwords, dental and medical records, bank accounts, credit cards and government identification, so you have to be diligent about keeping your private information secure, said McGowan.
The cyber security expert noted, "No one is 100 percent secure when it comes to cyber security. We just have to do our best keeping our private information confidential and secure when doing business."
McGowan shared the following tips for protecting your information from hackers:
Secure your password. Your password is your first level of defense from hackers, so you need a secure password for your email and other important accounts, said McGowan. He suggests a complex password with no less than five and preferably 12 characters and resetting the password every few months. A passphrase that you would remember that is lengthy with an upper case and lower case letters, numbers and symbols would be even better.
Use different passwords for social media networking sites, email accounts, online, banking, credit cards and other miscellaneous user accounts. If you have a difficult time remembering your passwords, use a password manager. There are many reputable password managers that are free and secure. Another protection is to have a multifactor authentication for user accounts.
Use a firewall and anti-virus software. Ensure the software and your computer's operating system are up to date.
Secure your wireless network in your office and at home. McGowan said it is not safe to have a shared network because it is vulnerable to being hacked. Business emails can be compromised. He suggests having a personal or business network and configuring a separate network for guests.
Stay away from free public WiFi. "They are a cyber criminal's dream," said McGowan. The best option is to bring your own hotspot, but this can be expensive. The next best option is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), especially when traveling abroad. There are VPN services that are credible and inexpensive.
Carefully evaluate email attachments. Phishing through email is rampant. Some of these emails contain a virus or some malicious software. Ransomware is only bad if you run it, so do not click on a link, even if the email purportedly comes from a credit card company or bank. Go directly to the company's website and access the information from there.
"If it doesn't feel right, trust your gut. Never click on a link," said McGowan.
Back up your data. McGowan recommends periodically backing up your data and storing the data offline. Purchase an external drive to back up important files.
Consider cloud based storage. Cloud based storage saves your hard drive and is cost effective. McGowan said cyber security is the top priority of cloud companies. They have the best network security protocols, they save data on multiple locations, back up the data again and again, and update software regularly.
Threats to cyber security are bound to continue, so be diligent about protecting your information. "A hacker just has to be right once," said McGowan.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
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