The world of real estate investing has gone digital, and with it, the risk of cyberattacks has increased as well. There have been many recent cyber attacks on the real estate world, causing major security breaches. Real estate investors in Redlands must take cyber security seriously to protect their financial information and transactions. Here are ten ways real estate investors can protect themselves online in today’s day and age.
1. Use Strong Passwords
Create passwords that are difficult for hackers to guess. Avoid using common words, phrases, or easily guessable information like birthdays or pet names. Instead, use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Regularly update your passwords and avoid reusing them across different accounts.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring two forms of verification to access an account. Typically, this involves something you know (like a password) and something you have (like a code sent to your phone). Enable 2FA wherever possible to protect your accounts, especially those containing sensitive information.
3. Keep Software Up to Date
Regularly update your computer’s operating system, web browsers, and antivirus software. Software updates often include patches to fix security vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. Staying up to date ensures that your systems are equipped with the latest protections against cyber threats.
4. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it more secure and private. This is particularly important when using public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in cafes or airports, which are often targeted by hackers. By using a VPN, you can protect your online activities from being intercepted by malicious actors.
5. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
Secure your home Wi-Fi network by changing the default password on your router to a strong, unique passphrase. Avoid broadcasting your network’s name (SSID) and enable network encryption (WPA2 or WPA3) to prevent unauthorized access. A secure Wi-Fi network is essential for protecting the devices connected to it, including computers, smartphones, and smart home devices.
6. Be Wary of Suspicious Emails
Be cautious when opening emails, especially those from unknown senders or containing unexpected attachments or links. Phishing emails often mimic legitimate messages to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or installing malware. Verify the sender’s email address and look for signs of phishing, such as spelling errors or urgent requests for personal information.
7. Use Secure Websites
When conducting online transactions, ensure that you’re on a secure website by checking for “https” in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar. These indicate that the website encrypts data transmitted between your browser and the server, protecting it from interception by hackers.
8. Backup Your Data
Regularly back up your important files and data to a secure location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage service. In the event of a cyberattack or data loss, having backups ensures that you can recover your information and minimize disruption to your business operations.
9. Limit Access to Information
Restrict access to sensitive financial information to authorized individuals only. Implement role-based access controls to ensure that employees, contractors, and vendors only have access to the data necessary for their job roles. Limiting access reduces the risk of unauthorized disclosure or misuse of confidential information.
10. Train Employees on Cyber Security
Educate your employees about cybersecurity best practices through regular training sessions and awareness programs. Teach them how to identify and report potential security threats, such as phishing emails or suspicious website links. By empowering your team with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves and your business from cyber threats, you strengthen your overall cybersecurity posture.
Cyber security is a must for real estate investors in Redlands. By using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping software up to date, using a VPN, securing your Wi-Fi network, being wary of suspicious emails, using secure websites, backing up your data, limiting access to information, and training employees on cyber security, you can protect yourself from cyberattacks and keep your financial information safe. As real estate professionals in Redlands, we utilize the latest in cyber security for ourselves and our clients. Learn more about how we work by calling us at (951) 232-9704!