STOP. THINK. CONNECT – Security Awareness Tip: Think Before You Connect

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The more we travel, the more important it is to be aware of the cyber security risks. Familiarize yourself with these simple tips to stay safe online.

Think before you connect.

  • Before you connect to any public wireless hotspot – like on an airplane or in an airport, hotel, train/bus station or café – be sure to confirm the name of the network and exact login procedures with appropriate staff to ensure that the network is legitimate.
  • Do not conduct sensitive activities, such as online shopping, banking, or sensitive work, using a public wireless network.

Only use sites that begin with “https://” when online shopping or banking.

STOP. THINK. CONNECT – Know Before You Go

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Whether traveling for business or pleasure, follow these simple tips to stay safe online.

Before You Go

Update your mobile software.

  • Treat your mobile device like your home or work computer.
  • Keep your operating system software and apps updated, which will improve your device’s ability to defend against malware.

Back up your information.

  • Back up your contacts, photos, videos and other mobile device data with another device or cloud service.

Keep it locked.

  • Get into the habit of locking your device when you are not using it. Even if you only step away for a few minutes, that is enough time for someone to steal or destroy your information. Use strong PINs and passwords.

While You Are There

Stop auto connecting. Disable remote connectivity and Bluetooth. Some devices will automatically seek and connect to available wireless networks. And Bluetooth enables your device to connect wirelessly with other devices, such as headphones or automobile infotainment systems. Disable these features so that you only connect to wireless and Bluetooth networks when you want to.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES APRIL BENTON TISCHER

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome April Benton Tischer to the Fleming Island/Orange Park office.

April, a lifelong Northeast Florida resident, joins Florida Network Realty as a newly-licensed Realtor and is beginning the fulfillment of a twenty-plus year goal. What April most looks forward to about being a Realtor is helping people identify the optimum home for their lifestyle and needs, and helping to make their home-buying experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible.

Before becoming a Realtor, April had a long and successful career as an instructor and administrator in the disciplines of Science, Technology, and Adult Education for Florida State College at Jacksonville and Clay County School District. During her time in education, April excelled in improving the design and delivery of education for adult learners and managing process improvement and communications.

April has a life-long bucket list, and she is excited to experience these new adventures with her family and friends. Her bucket list includes hiking the Appalachian Trail, kissing her husband in front of the Eiffel Tower, living in Alaska, learning how to snow ski, appearing in the cast of a community theater production, and speaking to Florida’s legislature about the positive generational effects of adult literacy education.

“I am very excited to welcome April to the Fleming Island office of Florida Network Realty. April’s desire to help others is evident from the first time you meet her – and her goals and morals align completely with Florida Network Realty’s guiding principles. With this attitude and determination, I’m sure she will succeed in her career as a Realtor,” shares Linda Benson, Broker/Manager of the Fleming Island/Orange Park office.

For more information, April can be reached by phone at 904.477.0834 or at April.BentonTischer@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: AprilSellsHomes.us. The Fleming Island/Orange Park office is located at 3535 Highway 17, Suite 10, Fleming Island, FL 32003.

Security Tips While Traveling

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The more we travel and access the Internet on the go, the more cyber risks we face. Follow these simple tips to stay safe online when traveling.

COMMON CYBERSECURITY THREATS WHILE TRAVELING
Unsecured wireless networks.moving to florida

  • While public wireless networks provide great convenience, they are unsecure and can allow cyber criminals access to your Internet-enabled devices. Beyond the typical public wireless networks found at airports, restaurants, hotels, and cafes, they are increasingly available in other places, such as on airplanes and in public parks.
    Publicly accessible computers.
  • Hotel business centers, libraries, and cyber cafes provide computers that anyone can use. However, travelers cannot trust that these computers are secure. They may not be running the latest operating systems or have updated anti-virus software. Cyber criminals may have infected these machines with malicious viruses or install malicious software. One example is keylogger malware which, when installed, captures the key strokes of the computer’s users and sending this information to criminals via email. Through this malware, criminals are able to receive users’ personal information, such as name, credit card numbers, birthdates, and passwords.
    Physical theft of devices.
  • Thieves often target travelers. Meal times are optimum times for thieves to check hotel rooms for unattended laptops. If you are attending a conference or trade show, be especially wary — these venues offer thieves a wider selection of devices that are likely to contain sensitive information, and the conference sessions offer more opportunities for thieves to access guest rooms.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES BENJAMAN (BEN) BLISS

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Benjaman Bliss to the Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office.

Originally from New England, but a Northeast Florida local for over a decade, Ben joins Florida Network Realty with a strong business and athletics background, having worked as an Events Project Manager in the Sports Media Technology industry for the past three years.

As a Project Manager, Ben was responsible for maintaining positive relationships between local vendors and the PGA, CBS Sports, and more. Monitoring timelines, defining clear targets and goals to be met, and coordinating meetings on site between team members and vendors – located in multiple destinations around the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico, and South Korea – has not only given Ben a strong base for success as a Realtor, it also made this transition a natural next step.

Ben is currently a travel baseball and strength coach in the area, and he has also previously worked as the Assistant Coordinator and Head Baseball Coach of the St. Augustine Baseball Club. An avid outdoorsman, Benjaman is also an expert alpine skier.

“Benjaman will make a great addition to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty team! With his background and business and focus and dedication to his goals, he is sure to excel here. We are thrilled to welcome him aboard,” shares Don Cline, Assistant General Manager and Broker/Manager of the Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office.

For more information, Ben (or Benjaman) can be reached by phone at 954.593.4851 or at Benjaman.Bliss@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: BenBlissRealtor.com. The Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office is located at 375-1 Atlantic Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES CLAUDIA COLASANTO

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Claudia Colasanto to the Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office.

Born in Opoczno, Poland, Claudia and her family moved to Jacksonville in 1990. She graduated, with honors, from Bishop Kenney High School in 2001, and from the University of North Florida in 2005, with a Bachelors in Communications and an Associates in Fine Art.

Prior to becoming a Realtor, Claudia worked at Time Out Sports Grill and has a strong background in Hospitality Management, Customer Service, Marketing, HR, Scheduling and Event Planning. Buying her first home with her husband in Jacksonville ignited Claudia’s interest in real estate. Claudia’s dedication to her clients and passion for helping others is what motivates her and drives her as a Realtor. Naturally, Claudia loves the subject of architecture and art, especially the designs of mid-century modern icon Frank Lloyd Wright.

As a long-time resident of Jacksonville and a Ponte Vedra Beach resident, she, her husband, and their beautiful son enjoy the beaches and great weather all year long. In her free time, Claudia enjoys photography, arts and crafts, yoga, traveling, and spending time with her family.

“We are very glad that Claudia has chosen to become a Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. Claudia thrives on challenges and is passionate about helping her clients reach their goals, and I am sure she will go far in our company,” shares Don Cline, Assistant General Manager and Broker/Manager of the Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office.

For more information, Claudia can be reached by phone at 904.891.0247 or at Claudia.Colasanto@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: CColasanto.FloridaNetworkRealty.com. The Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office is located at 375-1 Atlantic Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES LEE ANN WRIGHT

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Lee Ann Wright to the Ponte Vedra/Nocatee office.

Lee Ann joins Florida Network Realty with a strong background in business and is eager to take her expertise and apply it to her new career as a Realtor. In 2011 Lee Ann founded SwimWright, LLC, a swim instruction company in Auburn, Alabama. Lee Ann developed a method of teaching kids to swim in a five-day program that focuses on independence, safety, and efficiency.  She also employed and trained fifteen high-level instructors on the teaching curriculum she developed. Marketing SwimWright via the internet and Aquatic Safety Seminars and workshops, Lee Ann grew SwimWright from a backyard business into a company that teaches over four hundred children a season to swim per season, and consistently has a waiting list for her program.

While in college, Lee Ann swam competitively for the University of Florida, and this experience as an athlete taught her to always remain focused on passion, commitment, motivation, and perseverance. Now, as a Realtor, Lee Ann is focused on building a career that uses her gifts and experience to help her clients with the transitions and responsibilities involved in buying and selling real estate with knowledge and professionalism.

When asked why she became a Realtor, Lee Ann states, “I became passionate about the home buying experience after buying and selling my share of homes and having both good and bad experiences with Realtors. I know the process can sometimes be both an emotional and complicated one, and I became a Realtor because I want to be a trusted sales associate for my clients, who creates a positive experience around the whole process of buying and selling a home.”

Lee Ann continues to teach children of all ages to swim here in private pools and at the Inn and Club and Lodge at Ponte Vedra Beach. She has also competed in seven marathons and five Iron Man competitions and is a certified yoga teacher. Lee Ann is also a wife, and a mother to four teenage daughters – Lilly, 16, Bella, 14, Ava, 13, and Lucy, 11.

“We are thrilled to have Lee Ann join our Ponte Vedra Office team! Lee Ann has a high level of commitment to pursuing and achieving her goals, and I have great expectations for her. Her drive and commitment to excellence are right in line with the service we provide our clients at Florida Network Realty,” shares Kevin Waugaman, Broker/Manager of the Ponte Vedra/Nocatee office.

For more information, Lee Ann can be reached by phone at 334.728.1179 or at LeeAnn.Wright@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: LeeAnnWright.com. The Ponte Vedra/Nocatee office is located at 333 Village Main Street, Suite 670, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES PATTI ROSEPILER

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Patti Rosepiler to the Metropolitan office with locations in Avondale and San Marco.

“I am excited to welcome Patti to the Avondale office of Florida Network Realty! She is an experienced agent from Coldwell Banker Sea Coast in Wilmington North Carolina. From your very first meeting to the final closing, Patti provides best-in-class service to her clients. She has the experience you can count on and the passion to make things happen even with the most challenging circumstances. She was born and raised in Jacksonville and is happy to be back home, and we are happy to have her on our team,” shares Josh Cohen, Broker/Manager of the Metropolitan office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty with locations in Avondale and San Marco.

For more information, Patti Rosepiler can be reached by phone at 904.445.0659 or at Patti.Rosepiler@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: PRosepiler.FloridaNetworkRealty.com. The Metropolitan offices in Avondale and San Marco are located at 3627 St. Johns Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32205 and 1983 San Marco Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES JIMMY LEWIS

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Jimmy Lewis to the Mandarin/St. Johns office.

Jimmy joins Florida Network Realty with an extensive background in business and sales. Jimmy has been in the Home Furnishing Industry for thirty years and is the President and Principal Designer of Designs 2 Envy which he founded in 2003. Prior to opening Designs 2 Envy, Jimmy worked in the furniture industry for fifteen years with merchandising, sales, management, and sales training.

Becoming a Realtor was a natural and obvious transition for Jimmy, allowing him to take his experiences in business and passion for helping others to a new level. The ability to help his clients navigate making their largest single investment is what drives Jimmy as a Realtor, and he is eager to grow his career with Florida Network Realty.

“From your first meeting to the final closing, Jimmy will provide best-in-class service to his clients. He has the experience you can count on and the passion to make things happen even with the most challenging of circumstances. I am excited to welcome Jimmy to our team,” shares Christine Scalf, Broker/Manager of the Mandarin/St. Johns office.

For more information, Jimmy can be reached by phone at 904.994.4663 or at Jimmy.Lewis@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: JLewis.FloridaNetworkRealty.com. The Mandarin/St. Johns office is located at 11576 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32223.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES JELTSJE DERKSEN

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Jeltsje Derksen to the Fleming Island/Orange Park office.

Jeltsje, who was raised partially in the Netherlands and partially in the United States as a child, has been a resident of Northeast Florida for the past twenty years. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Jeltsje earned her Physical Therapy degree from the Hanzehogeschool, Hogeschool van Groningen, in Groningen, the Netherlands, and has worked as both a Pediatric Specialist and also in Home Health settings.

As a Home Health Physical Therapist, Jeltsje evaluated, treated, and helped patients age in place and assist them to obtain the highest quality of life, which assists their families as well. Working as a Pediatric Specialist, Jeltsje worked mostly with children, 0-5 years old, with special needs. Jeltsje states, “It brings me the most joy to assist the children and their families to give them a new opportunity in life!”

Moving around as much as she did, Jeltsje has loved exploring the beauty, nature, and cultures in the U.S., the Netherlands, and around the world. Jeltsje is fluent in Dutch, English, German, and French as well. As a Realtor, Jeltsje is eager to assist her clients in fulfilling their dreams and maximizing their full potential in life, and in their living situation.

“I am happy to have Jeltsje Derksen join the Fleming Island office! She is sure to excel here. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team,” shares Linda Benson, Broker/Manager of the Fleming Island/Orange Park office.

For more information, Jeltsje can be reached by phone at 904.982.2193 or at Jeltsje.Derksen@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: JeltsjeDerksen.com. The Fleming Island/Orange Park office is located at 3535 Highway 17, Suite 10, Fleming Island, FL 32003.