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Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker (Ward County Notary Services)

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Rainmaker
716,529
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

I'm not sure my friend Bob, what that means 'no-wiFi' in my office. Is there WiFi in the building? If there is no WiFi, then there's no network. What about a physical break-in to your office? What about if someone steals your laptop from you, your car, or wherever leave it behind? Do you use your laptop when at a coffee shop or anywhere outside your office (the most likely places where you'll actually get hacked)?

If you send me an email, I can show you how to have a WiFi and a network, and how to make it invisible. As well, how to password your files, and how to protect your info out of the office.

Jul 04, 2019 08:32 AM
Ambassador
3,349,079
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I certainly do not have a definitive answer.  I have wifi - it's private, not public and no one gets the password.  My password is redonkulous - if it took a password hack to access it is doubtful anyone would /could gain access. 

Jul 04, 2019 08:12 AM
Rainmaker
5,111,085
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I honestly have no idea. But I would find it hard to live without wifi. Why would your wifi not be secure if it's a private network that needs a password?

Jul 04, 2019 08:03 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

You are damned if you do and damned if you don't!

Jul 04, 2019 08:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

As long as you've changed the default password to something with more armor to it you've thwarted 99% of hackers.

Jul 04, 2019 08:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,581,210
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Security is an "issue".  Being totally secure may be limited to newborns(hopefully)  and maybe Linus Van Pelt on occasion. 

Jul 04, 2019 08:28 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,328
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I have wifi and wouldn't be without it..... 

Jul 04, 2019 08:26 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,972
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Bob.

If the hackers can get into some of the places they have, including the government, do you really think you're safe?  No such animal

Jul 04, 2019 08:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

I wish I knew.

We have WiFi in office and we don't give the passoword to anybody.

Jul 04, 2019 08:08 AM
Ambassador
5,252,729
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, definitely couldn't live without WiFi and would not know what else to use. Our WiFi is secure so, we have no worries here.

Jul 04, 2019 12:31 PM
Rainmaker
1,505,713
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

So not having wifi makes you less hackable from local people.  Given your high density area, there is a good chance someone will try to hack people's wifi for fun.  Hiding your network's name like Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR said is not sufficient.  This only hides it from the wifi connection screens on Windows and phones.  The hacking programs will have no trouble finding it, nor will programs like "Wigle.net" which scan for these types of networks.

 

Now if I understand the rest of your conversation with Richard correctly, you are directly connected to the cable/dsl/fiber modem?  That's not a good thing.  You need a router in between that has a built-in firewall for protection.  There are many tools out there (Shodan.io is the first that comes to mind) that scan the internet looking for vulnerabilities.  Not good if they find your computer directly connected. 

Jul 04, 2019 10:13 AM
Rainmaker
788,102
Brian L. Sirota, Esq.
Bristar Realty (Realtor/Attorney) - Orange, CA
For Solutions: (714) 501-7660

Bob, your concern is noble but, respectfully, it could be seen as a challenge to be handled, not ignored. 

Your network is not more secure because you've rid yourself of it.  That's the only part I can say with any degree of confidence since I'm not a technie.

I recall Ryan Huggins has some expertise in this area.  Perhaps he'll weigh in.

Jul 04, 2019 08:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,776
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I am fione with a WiFi that is for my home or office. Public hotspots is what I am sensitive about.

Jul 04, 2019 08:24 AM
Rainmaker
2,784,266
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

A password (cake) may be another way to go and have your wifi (eat) too

Jul 04, 2019 08:20 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

We have WiFi. Never thought about security for WiFi. 

Jul 04, 2019 08:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,846,651
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

You can do other things than WI-FI. I tether off my phone so no one can hack in.

The best way to make you network safe is to actually put a decent password on your router. Most people leave it on 'password'.

Jul 04, 2019 03:27 PM
Ambassador
6,414,578
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Much more likely to be hacked from someone in another country than someone getting in through your wifi.

Jul 04, 2019 02:52 PM
Rainmaker
1,092,747
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Bob, This sounds like a question for Kim Komando! We have had Wifi at home for years and never a problem...change the default settings on the router, use a strong password, run a good firewall on your laptop as well as good anti-virus program.

I have often wondered about the Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and need to look into those as well. Good luck!

Jul 04, 2019 10:21 AM
Rainer
347,198
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Bob, first, I experienced what can happen having used a hard-wired system for years.  Second, security expert, Bruce Schneier, advises that the dark net people already have every detail of your finances, etc., your job is to make sure they don't use it against you.  See Ryan Huggins response here and his recent Q&A about identify protection.  Please follow his advice both places.  You are not paranoid but realistic.

Jul 04, 2019 10:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,727,956
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I would suggest a VPN.

Jul 04, 2019 09:47 AM
Rainer
19,442
Julio Vasiu
IXACT Contact - North York, ON
IXACT Contact a ‘next generation’ real estate CRM

It is more secure in the sense that the hacker has to jump the physical aspect of it to access your data. You can also put other security measures on the physical wires to increase security. 

Jul 04, 2019 09:40 AM
Rainmaker
7,861,172
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

You should have WiFi and make sure your network is secure with it.

Jul 04, 2019 09:21 AM
Rainmaker
5,876,468
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I think if someone wants to get into your computer they can.

Jul 26, 2019 07:47 AM
Rainmaker
4,958,093
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I have to say you are better off without wifi

Jul 10, 2019 09:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,321,924
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

After reading numerous responses, my conclusion is that their really is not safety from determined hackers. My information is neither private nor safe.

Jul 06, 2019 03:08 PM
Ambassador
3,167,369
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I'm not being anywhere without wifi.  We do have a computer solely for financials that is NOT conntected to the internet in my office.  

Jul 06, 2019 02:16 PM
Rainmaker
888,092
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

Suddenly I just dont feel secure anymore....

Jul 05, 2019 10:56 PM
Rainer
419,943
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Hard wires or wireless you are still always at rick of hacking. Do you encrpt every email with social security number, date of birth, address etc? Loan docs have enough information for a baby hacker to clean out their accounts. The biggest worry today is the wire hackers- they can clear out all the $money. Never trust and email about earnest money or closing funds -call and check the account and routing number by a verified phone account (not the one on the email) After doing a real estate transaction Borrower should change all their passwords and monitor accounts 

Jul 05, 2019 12:02 PM
Rainmaker
1,241,629
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Huawei makes most routers. The source code says PROPERTY OF CISCO and had Indian style grammar on the source code.

Jul 05, 2019 07:16 AM
Rainmaker
901,928
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Not sure about the security issue, but it certainly is an inconvenience not to have wifi. Serious hackers could probably get into anything, but I doubt you're a prime suspect for that. I'm sure your clients appreciate the concern.

Jul 05, 2019 06:44 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It does not as hackers can hack anything on the internet with a wire or wireless. Simply secure your wireless  with a password. 

Jul 05, 2019 05:23 AM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

Most of the hacking is accomplished by phishing. If you don't act stupid and click on a phishing link then you are fairly safe. The hackers who can bypass security features are going after particular targets. Are you a target? If your email add hints at money handling or real estate closings then you are more of a traget than if you have a generac email add. Do NOT use any free email service as they actually read emails that pass thru their system.

 

Jul 05, 2019 05:06 AM
Rainmaker
905,927
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

I can't imagine going back to dial up. I don't have anything of my clients that is worth hacking. I don't send or receive socials, I don't send/receive wiring instructions. They go through their closing attorney for those and I recommend they call and verify with the attorney. Everything else is probably out there on the web somewhere or will be public knowledge. Do you do property management?

Jul 05, 2019 04:52 AM
Rainmaker
2,221,377
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Our network (WiFi) and emails are secured so I don't have to worry about it and when I use my computer in public, always use my secure hot spot. 

Jul 05, 2019 12:52 AM
Rainmaker
4,174,403
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Bob "RealMan" Timm it can be safer and secure, but it will consume more time. 

Jul 04, 2019 03:30 PM
Ambassador
5,059,654
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I have no idea but seems that Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR has some important thoughts.

Jul 04, 2019 03:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,753,107
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Bob, I'm not 100% sure. We have wifi, but my computer is direct wired and I still use a VPN. I also have a VPN on my tablet and cell phone. 

Jul 04, 2019 02:01 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Bob,

Listen to Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR 

Jul 04, 2019 12:28 PM
Rainmaker
5,236,828
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

 I have no clue! I just use what my IT guy set up. Good luck. He says my Wifi is secure. If someone is going to hack me, I bet they can.

Jul 04, 2019 11:29 AM
Rainmaker
2,190,773
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Interesting - Do you use your phone as a Hot Spot for your Laptop ?

Jul 04, 2019 11:13 AM