Everyone who enters your home during the sales process likely has a camera. Your agent, professional photographer, buyers themselves, home inspectors and appraisers, just to name a few, will be capturing images and video of your home. With your permission, the listing images will be shared on the MLS, which provides it to brokerage websites and portals where buyers search. In all these scenarios, photos, video or scans may be taken.

Real estate professionals and lenders should have safeguards in place to ensure the security of sensitive data, but there are important steps you can take to make sure you don’t inadvertently share personal information with bad actors in the event of a breach:

1. Stow personal items and photos. Put away anything that reveals personal details, including family photos, visible calendars, mail, computer logins, wi-fi passwords and documents with sensitive information. Even diplomas, awards or books can give away more than you realize.

2. Secure your valuables. Lock up jewelry, important and sensitive documents, firearms and prescription medications. A small lockbox or safe is a worthwhile investment to provide peace of mind with visitors coming and going.

3. Discourage unapproved photography. Although an agent generally accompanies buyers when they’re in the home, it’s possible for buyers to wander and take photos or videos. You can ask your agent to include a “No Personal Photography” note in the MLS.

Bonus tip: use an electronic lockbox. Electronic lockboxes limit access to real estate professionals who are licensees. Your agent can also use the lockbox to grant one-time or one-day access to service providers who are involved in the sale. Electronic lockboxes record exactly who enters your home and when. This is safer than a combination lock, in which the combination could be shared without your knowledge.