Life is full of uncomfortable conversations. From telling your Tinder date it\u2019s just not working out, to calling your parents to say you can\u2019t come home for the holidays, there are plenty of discussions to dread. One unfortunate conversation that\u2019s on the rise, however, involves cybercrimes and real estate transactions. Nobody wants to have to tell a client that their private information \u2013 or even payments \u2013 have been stolen.<\/p>\n
Luckily, there are ways to defend against cybercrimes.<\/strong><\/p>\n First, however, it\u2019s worth knowing what you\u2019re up against. According to Robert Siciliano, CEO of Safr.Me<\/a>, there has been a dramatic increase in cybercrimes over the last few years alone. Criminals are growing more organized and skilled, so it\u2019s crucial to ensure your data is secure.<\/p>\n The good news is that securing your information can be easier (and cheaper!) than you expect.<\/p>\n Many crimes have been successfully committed simply because users haven\u2019t taken cybersecurity seriously. Weak passwords, for instance, can make a data breach much more likely. These are passwords like \u201cpassword\u201d or \u201cabcde.\u201d Not only does Siciliano recommend a stronger password<\/a>, but also implementing two-step verification, which will require more information to log in.<\/p>\n At the National Association for Realtors Conference and Expo, Siciliano explained, \u201cHackers say once they own your password, they own the email. Because they can pose as you. This can lead to people stealing your information, stealing your client’s information, and even convincing clients to wire money to their account.”<\/p>\n