Protecting your privacy online is like protecting your home. Even the most prudent homeowners will not stop the most determined thieves, especially with numerous ways to get inside. Simply locking the doors is not enough. Multiple levels of protection are necessary—and the same goes for your online presence.
A recent survey from the National Association of REALTORS® shows that cybersecurity will be a top concern for REALTORS® over the next five years. Real estate professionals may use convenient and useful technology tools, like electronic lockboxes and eSignature, to make their day-to-day operations run smoothly, but additional solutions can also keep agents safe on the job.
Here is a list of some of the technologies that can protect you and your business. You can be at ease knowing these apps and services have strong safety and security features.
Robokiller: The calls keep on coming, and the victim list grows each year. Spam callers account for billions of dollars in financial losses each year. Plus, they are annoying. Robokiller blocks robocalls and robotexts, so you can avoid these types of scammers and receive only the communication you wish to receive, like the ones from your clients.
Keepingly: Keepingly is an app that allows you to securely store sensitive documents, such as financial statements or transaction records. Your clients can keep mortgage, insurance, inspection, home warranty and title documents in a safe space and monitor who accesses them. This can be especially helpful for home insurance claims, maintenance issues or record-keeping in the event of a natural disaster.
DuckDuckGo: DuckDuckGo is an internet browser that does not collect your personal information, like search, browsing or purchase history. With DuckDuckGo, you get a new everyday browser that offers seamless protection while you browse the web, and it even offers access to tracking protection for emails you receive.
Earnnest: Earnnest is a secure, convenient digital payment platform that allows for a fully digital transfer of funds in real estate transactions.
Crimeometer: Crime data is critical to understanding the risk and opportunity when buying a home. Since agents cannot ethically answer questions about neighborhood crime, you can recommend Crimeometer, a worldwide crime data API that aggregates official crime reports with real-time, crowdsourced crime data.
CarLock: Work without worry—CarLock is a real-time tracking system that monitors your vehicle and alerts you of suspicious activity. This is all managed through an app on your Android or iOS device. Some insurance companies offer a discount for those who use the app.
FOREWARN: Aimed at safer and more productive interactions with strangers, FOREWARN is an initiative-taking safety and intelligence app that allows agents to do instant due diligence on prospects. In seconds, with little information, you can verify a prospect’s identity, criminal record, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, address history and property records, all in one place.
Want to test your cybersecurity knowledge? Take this quiz from NAR.
Photo: iStock.com/BongkarnThanyakij/tedestudio
