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Spam prevention
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

No, not unless you refuse to use any Internet, cell phone, don't order anything online, don't blog, etc. If you use/do any of those things, privacy is always at risk. You have to just do the best you can to try to protect it.

Jan 12, 2019 03:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Yes. Have no contact with anybody in the outside world. LOL

You know that song We Didn't Start the Fire?

Well we DID start the fire. 🔥

Burn baby burn!

Jan 12, 2019 06:37 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

We are way past 1984

Jan 12, 2019 03:10 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,283
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Is there a way? Possibly. For me? Not likely an alternative. As far as hacking or invasion goes. No. At least as I am aware.

Jan 12, 2019 04:24 AM
Rainer
370,200
Jay McHugh
SendOutCards-Appreciation Marketing Expert - Acton, MA
YOUR SendOutCard Mentor

NO...

I was at a workshop yesterday and the crux of the conversation is that the next generation will look back and say why all the concern? ... as everything will be on camera; data files.... all our ongoings, audio, video, CC, etc....For example, filling up my car yesterday I see a camera on me; I paid for gas with a smart app, ...my phone is telling someone or some company how I travel to the office everyday......In summary be careful yet accept it as there is not much one can do...Lasly, I had a buyer call me and scream at me for selling her information ... I could see she was a Buyer from my phone and only first name came up with a "Buyer" TAG:  which means she was populated from some source...I told her if she was looking on any real estate site, her information was gained and then most likely sold....She cursed at me and hung up....lesson learned ...some get it and some want to blame others...this is the age we are live in .. unless we move into a Cave...  enjoy your weekend....cheers...

Jan 12, 2019 05:50 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I've had my Amex Card compromised in the past.... that was frightening enough for me.... I love that company... they alerted me of this!! 

Jan 12, 2019 05:08 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

No, but there are steps that can be taken to help protect privacy.

Jan 12, 2019 04:32 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

I would like to think so, but no, I also believe there is no way to completely protect much of anything

Jan 12, 2019 03:21 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

As real estate agents NO. As individuals yes... go off the grid (put then you can not be a RE agent).

Jan 12, 2019 05:49 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Not if you go online. The problem is it is already too late as most things, places, stores have alredy been hacked. 

Jan 12, 2019 05:08 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

You got to be kidding. If they want you, you are a victim!

Jan 12, 2019 05:02 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Doubtful

Jan 12, 2019 05:00 AM
Rainmaker
931,002
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

In the world we find ourselves in, we're not going to be able to be completely hack-free.

I have a varied background and was even a Chief Information Officer for a tech company. We committed a tremendous amount of resources to privacy and data integrity. Even so, we could see how many attempts were made to break into our servers and we continuously detected phishing schemes that are designed to make us click on links or download attachments that would open us to potential data breaches.

I've been hacked multiple times. My social security number has been purchased several times on what some call the dark web. My wife's drivers license has been turned into multiple id cards by a person who ended up spending years in prison- this after having been found guilty of doing the same thing to others multiple times. I've had five different credit cards compromised and recently had to change my bank accounts as someone gained access to them on the day before Christmas.

None of these attacks were completely devastating. Each were detected quickly. The clean-up though is annoying and time consuming. Despite using exacting software and prevention services I've accepted that too much of my information exists. It's for sale. Social Security numbers can be purchased in bulk (credit card details as well) for as little as a dollar. I can do little to prevent this information from being compromised other than locking my credit, monitoring my accounts, changing my passwords and using cash instead of plastic as often as possible.

Jan 12, 2019 04:33 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

No way with Internet.

Jan 19, 2019 02:50 PM
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 don't believe we can.

Jan 19, 2019 12:51 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

No. We cannot. 

I have not been hacked.  

I spend a fair amount of $$$ on added protections to ensure my files are safe. That is all I can do. 

Jan 12, 2019 08:30 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

No we can no longer do much to 'totally' protect our privacy. In our business we really can't.

Yes I've been hacked, yes I've had my identity stolen a few years ago by some lady living in Atlanta. In the end, they didn't even want to prosecute her so it will continue. In fact, she's probably somebody else by now.

Jan 12, 2019 07:06 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Simply, no.

Jan 12, 2019 06:27 AM
Rainer
133,344
Mike Baltierra
Rise Realty - Eastvale, CA
Full Service at Your Service Realtor-Eastvale CA

We can't and my email has been hacked a few times over the years. I was charge on my credit card that wasn't my charge. The hackers just go after the big fish for the most part.

Jan 12, 2019 06:03 AM
Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

That cat was let out of the bag a long time ago and won't come back!

Jan 12, 2019 05:52 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

As long as one uses their real name and connects their accounts to their physical address they can not be protected.

If one accesses the services of any company that has a computer for processing payments or recording customer data, they can not be protected.

Most privacy violation are unrelated to the victim. They ARE the fault of the BIG system providers who allow the mess but leave it to the victim to recover.

Completely protect? Not a chance. Even if you own a mountaintop in Tennessee.

Jan 12, 2019 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

No.

Jan 12, 2019 04:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Sure once you sign off from the net, cell phones and change your name

Jan 12, 2019 02:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Maybe by living in a remote survival cabin in Montana but I doubt it.

Jan 12, 2019 12:16 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Peter,

We have taken precautions, our browsing is private, we have major ad blocking for which we pay, and we also have spam sieve.  We have not been hacked!  WE do our best.  A

Jan 12, 2019 10:57 AM
Rainmaker
961,383
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

Very very doubtful we can protect our privacy in the manner we desire.  Too much intrusive technology as we browse on the internet.

Jan 12, 2019 09:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

"Completely" is a pretty strong word.

Have I been hacked? Not yet.

Jan 12, 2019 09:11 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Doubt it

Jan 12, 2019 08:56 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

The answer is nearing impossible to do. In fact, anti-privacy dynamics are just getting started and will cause much gain and loss depending who U are

Jan 12, 2019 08:15 AM
Rainer
155,337
Anthony Kirlew
Group 46:10 Network @ eXp Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Helping You Make Fiscally Sound Real Estate Deals!

Not as a real estate professional. All of the services we use have points of vulnerability (any site with a login).

The only way to escape the risk of privacy loss is to live "off the grid".

Jan 12, 2019 08:02 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

You probably could, but it would be difficult to live with.

Jan 12, 2019 07:51 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Absolutely not unless you completely and totally get "off of the grid".  I have had a number of issues this year.  It's scary & yes, I'm concerned but have taken action so that I can spend my energies elsewhere. 

Jan 12, 2019 07:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

No. You can do things to keep yourself more private though.

Jan 12, 2019 07:13 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I've not been hacked and I don't spend time worrying about it.

Jan 12, 2019 06:35 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
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 we are always vulnerable to hacking, but so far I have not been.

Jan 16, 2019 06:32 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,977
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I don't think I have been hacked per se but I think so much of our information is out there that I don't worry about it any more. 

Jan 13, 2019 07:40 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

No.  There are steps you can take to minimize risk, but you cannot completely eliminate it.  Read this book and others by the author as a starting point.

Jan 13, 2019 07:13 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Emails have been hacked and I don't think there is anyway to totally protect ourselves

Jan 13, 2019 06:09 PM
Rainmaker
62,960
Rae Hoffman
Roots & Wings Realty Group / Walzel - Katy, TX
Real estate agent serving the Katy area

Not unless you completely disconnect from the internet and ESPECIALLY social media. 

Jan 13, 2019 05:48 PM
Rainmaker
1,751,129
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Never

Jan 13, 2019 07:39 AM