Homeowners face new threat as their properties are showcased online.

Now, with free services easily accessible online, burglars can plan potential robberies from their computers or phones.

The Riverside Police Department in California has observed an increase in burglars using online methods after being arrested for potential burglaries or after successfully completing one.

Earlier this year, according to Planet Chronicle Digital coverage, roving international crime gangs have targeted communities in California, Michigan, and Arizona.

"After arresting suspects, our detectives seize digital devices and search for internet history. They use Google Maps and real estate websites like Zillow and Redfin to gather evidence."

Google Earth and Google Street View provide high-definition aerial footage of 36 million square miles and 10 million miles of road worldwide, respectively. CNET reports that Google has mapped out the streets in 98 percent of places where people live.

As of July 2024, Zillow, one of the most popular real estate sites in the country, reported approximately 130 million listings in the U.S. Additionally, websites such as Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com often display detailed interior photos of homes, which remain on the website even after the home is sold in some cases.

"Former NYPD detective and security expert Pat Brosnan told Planet Chronicle Digital that you gain more relevant data and intel by using platforms with a cup of coffee in the comfort of your chair than you ever did with binoculars and a vehicle outside the home, giving you the inside baseball."

Prospective sellers can safeguard themselves by being selective about what they include in their online home profiles, as advised by Brosnan.

"To sell your home effectively, it's important to present yourself in the best possible way. This means taking high-quality, truthful photos of your property, but you don't need to go overboard. I would advise against using a 360-degree video, as it's a common practice in sales."

Criminals can use videos like these to "know every crack and crevice of the home, including windows, cameras and locking systems," according to Brosnan.

""You can identify secondary and third points of entrance and egress, as well as ways to bypass alarm systems," he stated."

Google Maps imagery can aid car thieves in determining the type and number of vehicles at an address. A home with children's toys scattered in the yard may not be a prime target for a high-end sports car, but a house with flags used as window coverings may be more likely to have an older vehicle with lower value and potentially lesser criminal charges, according to Sharon Polsky, president of the Privacy & Access Council of Canada.

Polsky stated that anyone who steals cars to order can use Google Maps to determine if a vehicle on their shopping list is in the driveways, and use that information to ensure they bring the appropriate software to program blank key fobs needed to steal the vehicles.

Brosnan advised against including photos of security measures such as cameras, locks, security systems, gates, windows, and doors in realty service listings.

He advised against revealing the location of motion-activated spotlights by showing photos of the home at night.

Bill Daly, a former FBI agent and cybersecurity expert, advised homeowners to hide valuable furniture and artwork before taking photos for their real estate listing.

When working with realtors, hopeful home sellers should include a clause in the contract that specifies that the house number should not be disclosed in the listing or photos.

"Not disclosing the house number makes it more difficult for both tire-kickers and potential renters/buyers to contact the realtor, providing an opportunity for the realtor to connect with each individual and expand their contact list. Additionally, keeping the house number hidden significantly reduces the likelihood of theft."

Homeowners should install visible security cameras and display alarm system signs outside their homes, and also develop friendly relationships with their neighbors, as advised by Railsback.

Railsback stated that if a criminal attempts to enter my home with all my safety precautions in place, I want them to consider the potential risks they may face.

Brosnan proposed the idea of having your home blurred on Google Maps Streetview. To achieve this, you can locate your home on the service and click "Report a problem," which will provide you with a brief form to fill out.

A Google spokesperson informed Planet Chronicle Digital that their team typically takes around a week to remove an address from Streetview images upon request, and once the change has been made, it is permanent. The spokesperson added that the company employs AI technology to obscure license plate numbers and faces in these images.

A Zillow representative informed Planet Chronicle Digital that their service allows for quick and easy home listing ownership. To access this feature, simply locate your home on the site and click "More options," which will reveal the "Claim ownership" function. Once ownership is proven, homeowners can remove photos or the entire listing.

"The spokesperson stated that privacy and security are highly valued by them. The photos on Zillow are sourced from multiple listing services used by real estate agents to advertise homes for sale. Homeowners are encouraged to claim their homes on Zillow, which enables them to modify or remove photos and update their home details."

At the time of publication, Redfin, Realtor.com, and Google were unavailable for comment.

It is crucial to be mindful of what you share online about your own location, as Brosnan advised.

If you want to keep your vacation private, avoid posting about it on social media unless your followers are people you know and trust.

He advised that those who upload vacation photos online should wait until they return home before posting them.