Rightmove is to roll out enhanced two-step authentication for its Plus service after half a dozen agents had their email accounts hacked, giving the fraudster access to their online accounts.

The portal is worried that its current security levels mean agents whose email accounts are hacked by criminals could have their leads stolen and fake properties loaded into their feeds.

Consequently, Rightmove is to introduce two-step verification. This includes an initial password login but then a unique code sent to them separately.

This means logging onto Rightmove Plus will be fiddlier and more time consuming but, the portal argues, agents will be fully protected from hackers and scammers.

The roll-out will start with independent agents and data chief Tim Harding (pictured) is asking agents for their help to get their teams to adopt the enhanced security feature as soon as it becomes available so that all branches can have greater protection.

“We really need your help to make sure your teams understand the benefit it brings to them and why it’s so important to start using this added layer of security at a time when fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated and your teams are being targeted with increasing numbers of phishing emails,” he says.

“We know this will take a bit of time to get used to but we hope that many of you will already be using two-factor for other accounts such as online banking.”

The extra security for Rightmove Plus will apply to the five key areas where information is most sensitive; Lead Reports, Opportunity Manager, Viewings Manager, User Management as well as Add & Edit Properties.