Keep your real estate data secure in 5 easy steps
According to the 2004 REALTOR® Technology Survey, 50% of all realtors are completely responsible for filling their own technology needs. If you are one of the thousands of real estate professionals on your own when it comes to technology, it is important you take these 5 easy steps to make sure you and your clients’ data are protected.
All of these things are easy to do and the benefits are huge. Let’s get right to it.
Backup Your Data
I can’t talk about backing up your data enough. Computers aren’t perfect. Computer programs are even less perfect. If your computer is stolen or damaged beyond repair, how would that affect your business? With the advent of broadband internet connections, the easiest and most efficient way to backup your data is to subscribe to an online backup service. For only a few dollars a month, backing up your data can be set to run on auto pilot. You set it up once and forget about it. Recommended services included IBackup and XDrive.
Keep the Viruses Away
There are three types of computer viruses: annoying, frustrating and dangerous. The annoying and frustrating types will slow down your computer, make web browsing slower than molasses in winter and turn your overall computing experience into an exasperating ordeal. The dangerous variety are actually quite serious and can do things like harvest email addresses, credit card numbers and other sensitive information from your computer. A good antivirus program that is kept up to date will help you avoid 99% of the viruses that are floating around. While Norton Antivirus and McAfee Antivirus are two of the most well known programs, you might try Nod32 from ESET, which is faster and creates less of a drag on your system. Regardless of which one you choose, make sure that it is always updated with the latest list of viruses to search for.
Keep Other Annoyances Away Like Spyware
A few years ago, the word spyware didn’t exist. Now, it has become one of the biggest annoyances for many computer users. Spyware refers to virus-like programs that get installed on your computer without your knowledge. Most of the spyware out there is advertising based in that the program, once installed on your machine, will litter your screen with popup ads or track your web surfing habits. While most spyware isn’t destructive, it can be very annoying and absolutely kill your productivity. No one program is perfect in removing all types of spyware, so it is best to run 2 or 3 regularly to keep your machine clean. Recommended software for getting rid of the junk: Spysweeper, Adaware and Spybot.
Get a Firewall
Firewalls protect your computer from internet threats. If you have a laptop, make sure you turn on the software firewall that comes with all new versions of Windows (Mac and Linux computers also have them built in). The firewall will create a type of protective shield around your computer when it is connected to the internet. Firewalls are a simple but powerful way to protect your computer.
Ditch Internet Explorer, Almost
Internet Explorer, the program that many people use to surf the internet, is not secure. There are many flaws in its programming that allow hackers different ways to invade your computer. It is best to download Mozilla’s free web browser Firefox and begin using that. It is faster and more secure than Internet Explorer. Most ever site will display fine using Firefox (including Connect MLS), but every now and again you will have to switch back to Internet Explorer as some sites have not caught on that people are using alternate web browsers.
Overall, keeping your real estate computer data safe is as simple as following the steps above. All of them are quick and easy and they will save you and your wallet from hours and hours of frustration and lost business.
