The real estate industry is increasingly targeted by criminals. All it takes is a simple click on a link or opening an attachment on a phishing message to cause potentially irreparable damage to a company. In fact, over 90% of successful data breaches start with a spear phishing email.
While Long & Foster’s Information Services team blocks millions of spam emails each year, savvy cybercriminals can still sneak past our filters. That’s why it’s essential to stay vigilant whenever doing business online, especially when it comes to email.
Here are four best practices to follow when sending and forwarding emails.
- Use an appropriate email signature line that includes your name, title, company and department, if applicable. You should also include your email address and phone number(s).
- Always include a subject line and consider how the person receiving the email will interpret that subject. This is especially important when including a link or attachment. Ask yourself if you would you feel comfortable opening it, and if not, change it.
- When forwarding an email, be sure to include a message referring to why, especially when including a link or attachment. For example, you can note, “per your request” or “per our conversation,” so the receiver knows why they’re getting it.
- If responding to a chain of emails, it is helpful to modify the subject line. This lets others know there is a new response.
In today’s environment of phishing scams, we need to be considerate when communicating with email. Good business practices using email will be appreciated by your clients and colleagues alike.