Discover the best practices for ensuring secure Realtor access to an MLS login system.
Why is a secure MLS login system crucial?
In this day and age, and with the extreme value of real estate data and the corresponding photos, it is vital to prevent unauthorized access to the MLS platform itself. Hackers and cybercriminals are constantly looking for vulnerabilities in login systems to gain unauthorized access. And sometimes those methods are simply to pay off your own members to give them login access! In other cases, it's easy to guess many Realtor's passwords, not to mention the large number of breaches that are out there and available on the dark web.
By implementing strong MLS security measures, such as multi-factor authentication or even better, Passkeys and biometrics, an MLS can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and protect the integrity of the platform and the value of the stored data for their members.
Social Engineering Of Realtor Login Access
Did you know that some of your members have given up their passwords and likely didn't even know that what they were doing was wrong? We've regularly heard stories of members thinking it was ok to give their account access to their vendors, assistants, offshore staff, etc. For example, there is a phone system vendor that calls expired and withdrawns and part of their sales pitch is to get the member's login for their offshore staff to check each morning for these types of listings!
But more scary than that is the stories about members that have unwittingly given up their login information to someone calling on the phone stating they are with the MLS / Association or MLS software vendor. Unbeknownst to the member, these are just hackers attempting to get access to your valuable listing and member data.
To combat this, it is crucial for MLS platforms to implement strong security measures such as Passkeys. Passkeys not only enhance the security of the platform but also increase member satisfaction by providing a more convenient and user-friendly login experience. Passkeys and biometric logins, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, add an extra layer of security by making it extremely difficult for unauthorized users to gain access.
Implementing passkeys and biometric logins is not only a great way to protect the MLS, but also it increases member satisfaction! Because their cell phones and many consumer websites have trained Realtor members that they can just look at their screen or put their fingerprint on a bad, members find this method of login to be much easier than remembering passwords that require constant updates.
Have you ever looked at a list of hacked Realtor passwords? You probably wouldn't be surprised to see Password1 or Password1!
At Solid Earth, having 20+ years of experience in the MLS software industry, we're more than cognizant of moving Realtors' cheese. But, your association should create a plan to enable Passkeys over the next 12 months, and they should be required for all user accounts by mid-2025.
Biometric logins, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, add an additional layer of security to the login process and almost completely get rid of hacked passwords and most importantly password sharing. These biometric identifiers are unique to each individual and are difficult to replicate, making it extremely difficult for unauthorized users to gain access.
By implementing passkeys, biometric logins, and multi-factor authentication, an MLS can ensure that only authorized individuals can access the system, adding an extra layer of security to protect sensitive information.
Monitoring and analyzing login activity
Monitoring and analyzing login activity is an essential practice for detecting and preventing unauthorized access to an MLS login system. And no system provides better analytics and login monitoring than the Solid Earth EZSecure system. By closely monitoring login activity, MLS administrators can identify any suspicious behavior or anomalies. By further getting your vendors to implement our tracking system, you'll have deep insights into not only the logins from your members, but what they do in those systems - this includes your primary MLS platforms and other platforms of choice.
Furthermore, analyzing login activity can provide valuable insights into potential security threats and help identify areas where additional security measures may be needed. Solid Earth's EZSecure platform can even create custom rules per MLS / Association to ensure that your members are able to login without friction, but we catch those individuals that shouldn't have access.