Nov. 30 marks National Computer Security Day. And here’s a sobering stat: More than 16 million Americans have systems in danger. In real estate, you’re entrusted with clients’ personal information and financial data. This puts you particularly at risk.
Overall, 19 percent of Americans admit they don’t do anything to protect their computer from getting hacked, according to the Ooma Computer Security Day Survey conducted by Ooma, a VoIP provider of cloud-based Internet security, and data scientists at NationalToday.com.
One in three Americans have admitted to being hacked, according to the study. As such, 96 million Americans have had their internet network, email, or computer compromised.
Further, the study found that one in five computers are at risk. Only 16 percent of consumers say they own antivirus software. But consumers say they use other protection measures, such as not sharing passwords with friends (13 percent) or trying to avoid sketchy websites (12 percent).
The study found that Macs are most vulnerable to hackers or viruses. Macs are 7 percent more likely to be hacked, according to the study.
Americans have good intentions to take computer security more seriously, yet many haven’t, the survey found. Twenty-two percent of consumers say they are aware of a hacking problem, and they wish their devices were protected from online threats such as viruses, phishing, and malware.
Real estate professionals have faced a growing threat of phishing closing scams lately. Scammers are hacking into the email accounts of consumers and real estate professionals to gather information about the closing date. They’ll then send an email to the buyer, posing as the real estate professional or title company. Scammers will provide fraudulent wiring instructions for the funds for closing. Funds that are transferred are often untraceable, and buyers rarely get their funds back. Read more about
warning your buyers against scams.
Source: “National Computer Security Day—Nov. 30,” NationalToday.com (Nov. 30, 2017)
