Why Cyber Criminals Are Targeting the Property Sector

Real estate businesses deal with large sums of money, sensitive client data, and fast-moving digital transactions every day. That makes them a prime target for hackers, scammers and identity thieves.

The Hidden Risks Behind Everyday Deals

From tenancy applications to settlement statements, property professionals handle a huge amount of personal and financial information. In the wrong hands, this data is highly valuable and cyber criminals know it.

Recent reports show:

• 1 in 4 real estate businesses have experienced a cyber security breach.

• 1 in 6 have fallen victim to scams or fraud.

• Cyber security is now a top 3 concern for the industry, according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia.

And it’s not just statistics. We’re seeing real agents lose hundreds of thousands to scams, email accounts hijacked to trick clients, and even sensitive documents leaked to the dark web.

It’s Time for a Culture Shift

Cyber security is no longer just an IT issue, it’s a team responsibility. Every person in the business, from reception to property managers, plays a role in keeping client data safe.

Thankfully, building cyber awareness doesn’t need to be complicated. A few simple changes can make a big difference.

Start With These 5 Smart Moves

1. Use Multi-Factor Authentication on email and systems.

2. Keep software up to date to close security gaps.

3. Switch to strong passphrases (and use a password manager).

4. Be suspicious of urgent emails — always verify before paying.

5. Wipe old devices before reselling or tossing them.

Keep Your Property Business Secure

The cyber threat is real but you don’t have to face it alone. Free tools like Cyber Wardens offer easy, no-jargon training to help you and your team build safer digital habits.

Source: Cyber Wardens