Today, real estate businesses are the target of various complex cybersecurity threats that can temporarily or even permanently shut down operations from threat actors including extortionists, competitors, hackers, and rogue renters. And with confidential information such as client data at risk, you can't afford to take things lightly. Here are some essential cybersecurity tips that may help shield your real estate organization:

Watch Out for Watering Hole Attacks 

Watering hole attacks are sophisticated cybersecurity attacks targeting a specific group of people at a digital congregation space like a website. Hackers plan these attacks meticulously and use sophisticated malware like web-borne exploits. While such threats usually hit high-profile organizations like government contractors, airlines, or journalists, they’re also an advanced persistent threat (APT) against real estate companies. 

Hackers may use your real estate website as a watering hole for your affluent clients, or they may use a website as a watering hole against your company. For example, a provincial real estate rules platform could function as an infection vector for your staff. Here are some tips that can shield your business: 

• Use cloud-based web browsers rather than local ones to stop DNS poisoning and other attacks. 
• Test your website, network, security tools, and web traffic for red flags. 
• Take advantage of endpoint defense mechanisms to protect remote working employees.
• Audit permissions for browsers, websites, and apps. 

Use Anti-Ransomware Technology 

Ransomware is a critical risk for all types of companies, especially ones that deal with confidential customer information. While some ransomware strains encrypt files, others damage them permanently. Others still lock computers. These attacks aim to secure an extortion fee, usually in bitcoin, to end the system hijack.

As many companies learn, paying the blackmailers doesn’t always end well. While some ransomware gangs vanish without decrypting data to cover their tracks, other hackers simply don’t have the technical capabilities to unlock the encrypted files. Then, some gangs play double-extortion strategies by only restoring files in phases before demanding more payments. The cruelest gangs will copy your sensitive files and dump them on the Dark Web for sale, destroying your real estate business's carefully cultivated relationships and reputation. 

While updating your computer's operating system can plug vulnerabilities and shield your organizations from outdated ransomware strains, your computer's baked-in antivirus program is unlikely to offer complete ransomware protection. That's why you should consider investing in a top small business antivirus solution that has anti-malware and anti-ransomware capabilities. A good malware protection system should also provide ransomware rollback, allowing you to regain control even after a cybersecurity attack by isolating the threat and restoring data from a backup.

Beware of Social Engineering Attacks 

With thriving businesses hardening threat mitigation strategies, threat actors use social engineering attacks to trick their targets into downloading malware. For example, a spear-phishing email that appears to be from a reputable client may deploy a macro virus through an infected Microsoft Word document. Likewise, a whaling attack may target a real estate business's CEO by manipulating their emotions. 

Some criminals may pretend to be legitimate clients to gain deeper access to your company. Advanced background checks, credit reports, and criminologist checks can prevent such bad actors from gaining a foothold. 

Regardless of the nature of the threat or threat actor, your real estate business must adopt top security protocols to survive and thrive in an increasingly risky digital world.