Reset Your Passwords

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Previews International

Every week, at times it seems every day, I get an email from someone in my data base asking me to click on this or that link, open the attachment etc.  I know it's spam or something even more evil.  I always reply and in the subject line:  "YOU WERE HACKED, CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD".  Most of the time I get a response in short order thanking me as they had no idea.  Of course you have no idea, that's  the whole point of using your account to send out this garbage.  Once in a while, I will get a second email from the same account.  My thought on that is if they can't be bothered to look at their emails, they are probably not doing much business anyway.  They go straight into Spam at that point.

More times than not, the addresses are on AOL.  For some reason they seem more prone to these lapses.  Are you listening AOL?  Should the AOL stand for "Attackers On Line"?  With all the news about hackers and viruses out there, I can't understand why folks don't change  passwords on a regular basis.  My MLS and my Company require that shift.  If it's too hard to think about, how about using the season and the year you were born?  Mine will not be Spring1776. But it would be similar.  Start a 4 variation and just keep going.  If the site won't let you repeat the last four, switch it up after the first round - 1776Spring, for instance.

Whatever else you do today, change your passwords. I don't want you in my Spam folder.

 

Comments (5)

Jane Chaulklin-Schott
TEAMCONNECT REALTY - (407) 394-9766 - Orlando, FL
TeamConnect Luxury Homes - Orlando, Florida, 32836

Thank you Jay, for the reminder to change the Passwords. This is such a busy time of the year yet, somethings are worth taking the time to do. Happy Easter, Jay.

Apr 17, 2014 12:30 PM
Anonymous
jcookerealtor
Thanks for the comment Jane. So much of our work is done via the internet now, it just makes sense to be careful and thoughtful. Enjoy the weekend.
Apr 17, 2014 09:50 PM
#2
Eric Galuppo
Real Estate Rev - More Leads Means More Revenue

Though I always changed my password, I still want to thank you Jay for the reminder.

Yes you're right! It just makes sense to be careful and thoughtful.

Apr 17, 2014 11:20 PM
Jay Cooke
Coldwell Banker Previews International - Greenwich, CT
People Always Come First

Thanks for the comment Eric.  I would put the password change into the "best practices" that agents should follow.

Apr 17, 2014 11:31 PM
Ted Glover
Alderman Classic Realty, LLC - Moultrie, GA
ABR in Moultrie, Georgia 229-854-5422

I had changed so many passwords in the last few months. Sure is getting tiresome trying to think up a new one.

Feb 05, 2015 10:38 AM