Using the Internet safely

Today marks Safer Internet Day around the globe. Started in Europe over a decade ago, this virtual holiday serves as an educational reminder about the power of the internet and how to navigate cautiously.

The goal of Safer Internet Day is to create a better internet, where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. The focus of #SID2019 is to educate children and young people, parents and carers, teachers, educators and social workers. Realtors® can play a large part by taking time to think about their safety and the safety of their clients, too.

When Realtors® think about safety, they may only think in the physical sense. But the National Association of Realtors® also includes online privacy and data protection in its safety resources. And it’s important that you pay attention to protect yourself, your family and your business.

As the process for buying and selling a home has become centered around technology, the transaction has become a larger target for nefarious parties. NAR has continued to be an advocate for data privacy and security. In fact, every Realtor® should take a few minutes to download and read NAR’s Data Security and Privacy Toolkit.

The toolkit highlights the Federal Trade Commission’s key principles for businesses to follow when creating a data security program:

1. Take stock.
2. Scale down.
3. Lock it.
4. Pitch it.
5. Plan ahead.

We have covered different topics around internet safety and security including phishing emails targeting Realtors®, the importance of secure passwords and using password managers to keep everything straight.

It is important that all internet users take time to inventory their online presence and establish a gameplan for when–not if–something does not go according to plan.