A warning has gone out to letting and sales agents to beware of cyberattacks.
Software security service Veco says such attacks are no longer just a problem for banks or big corporations.
It claims agencies are now prime targets because of the sensitive data they handle, from tenant applications to landlord bank details.
A single breach could mean financial loss, reputational damage, and serious GDPR penalties.
It claims the threats are growing with the most common five being:
1 Phishing and invoice fraud – convincing emails designed to trick staff into sharing logins or transferring money;
2 Ransomware – hackers blocking access to your systems until a ransom is paid;
3 Data leaks and human error – mis-sent files or unsecured emails exposing client details;
4 Weak passwords – reused or predictable logins making life easy for hackers;
5 Outdated systems – software that hasn’t been updated leaving obvious security gaps.
Veco says many of the best defences are quick and cost effective to implement. It says agencies should:
- Use strong passwords with two-factor authentication;
- Provide regular staff training;
- Share files through a secure client portal rather than email;
- Encrypt communications; and
- Back up data regularly.
Veco advises: “Think of it like property maintenance. Small tasks now prevent much bigger problems later.”
