CYBERCRIME IN REAL ESTATE
Real Estate can be seen as an easy target. In the process of buying and selling property, transactions include the transferring of large sums of money.
According to Johann van der Merwe, Managing Director of WeconnectU, South Africa was ranked 5th on the security company Surfsharks’ global cybercrime list last year. He describes cybercrime as criminal activity that uses or targets computers, networks and networked devices to steal information or cause damage for profit, personal or political gain.The top 5 cyber risks according to him:
- Phishing
- Online payment fraud
- Malware and Ransomware
- Spoofing
- Hacking
He also provides a cybersecurity checklist:
- Educate and empower your team
- Software and systems must be kept up to date
- Endpoint protection, firewall and data backup
- Control user access, and own logins for every employee
- Control system access
- Secure WiFi network
- Strong passwords
THE LATEST SA ORGANISATION TO BE HACKED WAS THE LPFF
According to Motlatsi Molefe, CEO of the LPFF (Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund), the organization was hacked on 20 June 2024.
He advised to vigilantly monitor accounts for unusual or suspicious activity, to change passwords and activate two-factor authentication where available. Also to exercise caution when responding to unsolicited requests for personal information.
Read the full article here:
SAFEGUARDS TO FOLLOW IN GENERAL
- Validate banking details
- Confirm in person or over the phone before making deposits
- Use anti-malware
- Keep software up to date
- Use strong passwords
- Connect to private WiFi networks not public networks
- Use official websites
- Monitor transactions
- Encrypt data
- Control system access
- Own logins for every employee
- Control user access
- Education
Remain informed and pro-active in your cybersecurity approach.
“Take note that the content above is merely set out as the opinion of the author and his interpretation of the relevant legislation. It will not be regarded as a legal opinion and nor does the writer intend it to be. It is imperative that any reader obtain his own legal opinion relating to any of the content above and will the writer hereof or his employer not be held responsible for any of the content of this article.”
