Security Alert
August 11, 2008
For the past several weeks viruses of moderate severity have been proliferated after legitimate sites are hacked. Subsequent visitors are automatically redirected (or click links) to malicious sites. The hackers employ a “SQL Injection Attack” to exploit vulnerabilities in a site’s programming.
Last week the NWMLS Discover website was hacked and their tech staff immediately shut down public access while they repaired the site and “hardened” it against future attacks. The following was broadcast by NWMLS yesterday in their Monday Email Update …
Discover Security & Virus Cleanup…
Last week Discover received numerous attempts to access and compromise the system. Fortunately the updated security patches installed have effectively thwarted these attacks.
While Discover was compromised and temporarily became a mechanism used to deliver malicious files (virus) it was not the only site on the Internet affected. We have reports of people getting infected from links found on key search engines as well as corporate websites.
The biggest challenge ahead of us is the clean up and prevention of future infection.
The best method one can use to get an infected system clean is to update the anti-virus software and perform a full scan. If the full scan does not resolve the issue contact the anti-virus vendor and put pressure on them to get an update available that will address the problem.
NWMLS technicians have identified several security programs that clean up some of the malicious files but none of the scans are consistent. If your anti-virus vendor does not produce the results you expect contact NWMLS for additional information.
***Please be cautious of advertised ‘clean up’ or ‘removal’ tools available on the Internet. Often these tools come with a myriad of other malicious files such as spy/adware. They are often focused on removing a specific virus and will not remove others. Again your best bet is to contact the anti-virus vendor and pressure them for an update.
NWMLS IT Department
While researching the viruses that are actually passed on as a result of this attack I have confirmed NWMLS’s comment that most “free” software fixes are themselves worse than the virus itself. Thus far Norton Anti-virus (Symantec) products have done well in protecting our systems from infection of viruses.
Several of our fellow developers have experienced similar problems as the NWMLS and we consider ourselves fortunate to have been spared this headache so far. In the event that we are attacked, we are prepared to treat this as a catestrophic event and will restore service as quickly as possible.
NW Real Estate Magazine 1310
August 9, 2008
The latest edition of the Northwest Real Estate Magazine is now on the stands featuring these properties in our monthly ad. You can download a pdf version of our ad here.
- $249,950 LAKEBAY 4 bdrm, 2 bath, 1782 sqft Manuf-Double Wide.
Call LuAnn Frans, John L. Scott, Inc., at 253-686-4642 about MLS #28120323
- $329,000 KENT 4 bdrm, 2.5 bath, 2270 sqft Split Entry.
Call ERA American Brokers, Inc., 425-226-4410 about MLS #28091704.
- $279,950 EVERETT 3 bdrm, 1 bath, 1003 sqft 1 Story.
Call Steve Setzer, Sound Investments Realty, Inc., at 360-403-7141 about MLS #28094815.
- $1,515,250 RENTON 5 bdrm, 6 bath, 6079 sqft 2 Story.
Call ERA American Brokers, Inc., at 425-225-4410 about MLS #28057972.
- $380,000 GIG HARBOR 3 Split Entry.
Call Jackie Olivier, Windermere R.E. Gig Harbor, at 253-380-5205 about MLS
#28076959.
- $449,000 AUBURN bdrm, 1.75 bath, 1840 sqft 1 Story w/Bsmnt..
Call Danny Hansen, Sound Investments Realty, Inc., at 253-630-7863 about MLS #28107279. - $1,100,000 GIG HARBOR 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath, 2802 sqft 1 Story.
Call Teresa Nepper, ERA Integrity Realty, at 253-905-2461 about MLS #28084334.
- $318,000 PACKWOOD 2 bdrm, 2.5 bath, 1456 sqft 1 1/2 Story.
Call William Truitt, Four-U Realty/Packwood, at 360-494-4848 about MLS #28100831.
- $575,000 TACOMA 4 bdrm, 3 bath, 2862 sqft 2 Story.
Call Mishal Brown, John L. Scott, Inc., at 253-732-5755 about MLS #28117113.
- $634,950 SAMMAMISH 5 bdrm, 2.75 bath, 2604 sqft 2 Story.
Call Ron Cornwall, Cornwall Real Estate, at 206-701-4165 about MLS #28121195.
- $363,300 MAPLE VALLEY 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 2300 sqft 1 Story.
Call Marlene Burns, ERA American Brokers, Inc., at 206-669-6868 about MLS #28127247.
- $175,000 GIG HARBOR 3 bdrm, 1.75 bath, 1711 sqft Manuf-Double Wide.
Call Rick Knapp, Gig Harbor Realty, Inc., at 253-651-2921 about MLS #28062244.
Washington Real Estate Web Trends - Summer 08
August 5, 2008
We are extremely pleased with performance of nwRealty.Com during the month of July. We maintained the historical trend of July being a very strong month while all competing sites experienced a decrease of visitors … some losing 30 - 40%. A change from previous reports; we replaced Machpersons.com with Southsoundhomes.com (operated by The Tacoma Tribune/McClatchy Company) after finding it to have a stronger web presence.
Because of our consistent results we’re still claiming nwRealty.Com as the “Most visited website that is focused exclusively on Washington real estate”. The next graph represents regional real estate websites with a strong presence in Washington whose services cross borders into other states. We’re still out performing the lower end of this scale … even without a multi-million dollar budget.
The obviously notable event dipicted here is Redfin’s new position as “King of the hill”. While they experienced a 30% increase, Windermere (the dethroned king) lost about 11%. The end of summer is now upon us so expect market activity to start declining. The decline will continue until the holidays when activity all but stops. Make sales while you can, but start planning now for next year.
