Data Breach Exposing Property Buyer Information
In early 2024, Zillow, a leading US-based real estate marketplace, suffered a data breach caused by an API vulnerability that exposed sensitive data of millions of homebuyers and sellers. This breach included personal information, financial details, and property transaction histories.
Solution
Identified and patched the API vulnerability that led to unauthorized access.
Implemented strong API security protocols with OAuth 2.0, token-based authentication, and rate limiting.
Deployed a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to monitor and block suspicious traffic.
Conducted regular API security audits and vulnerability assessments.
Result
Secured customer data and minimized future exploitation risks.
Improved API governance and compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
Strengthened monitoring systems to detect and prevent future API exploitation.
Ransomware Attack Disrupting Operations
In mid-2024, Realtor.com, a prominent real estate listing platform, was hit by a ransomware attack that encrypted critical system files and disrupted its operations. Attackers demanded a large ransom to restore access and threatened to leak sensitive property transaction data.
Solution
Activated incident response protocols and isolated affected systems.
Restored encrypted data using secure offline backups to ensure business continuity.
Deployed Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems to detect and neutralize ransomware.
Implemented advanced email filtering and employee training to mitigate future phishing attempts.
Result
Successfully restored operations without paying the ransom.
Improved resilience against ransomware attacks through continuous threat monitoring.
Strengthened disaster recovery strategies and endpoint security measures.
Phishing Attack Targeting Real Estate Agents
In early 2025, Housing.com, a leading Indian real estate platform, was targeted by a large-scale phishing campaign aimed at real estate agents. Attackers impersonated platform representatives and tricked agents into providing login credentials, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive client data.
Solution
Implemented AI-powered phishing detection systems to identify and block malicious emails.
Enforced multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all agent accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
Educated agents and employees through cybersecurity awareness training on identifying phishing attempts.
Deployed adaptive authentication systems to flag and block suspicious login attempts.
Result
Reduced phishing-related account takeovers by 90%.
Strengthened account security through MFA and adaptive authentication.
Improved agent awareness and reduced phishing susceptibility through ongoing training.
Insider Threat Leading to Unauthorized Data Access
In 2025, PropTiger, a major Indian online real estate platform, experienced an insider threat incident where an employee with privileged access attempted to sell client data on the dark web. This included property transaction details and personal client information.
Solution
Implemented strict Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to limit privileged access.
Deployed User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) to detect abnormal insider activity.
Introduced automated Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions to prevent unauthorized data exfiltration.
Conducted regular background checks and cybersecurity awareness training for employees.
Result
Detected and neutralized the insider threat before significant damage occurred.
Strengthened internal security policies and privileged access management.
Reduced the risk of insider threats by enhancing real-time behavior monitoring.