Various people have suggested in the past that Apple should allow FaceTime for Android and Windows, in an attempt to make it the default standard for consumer video calls. That idea gained new impetus when Apple launched the Group FaceTime function for calls between up to 32 people.

But the coronavirus outbreak has taken consumer group videoconferencing to a whole new level. Back in February, most non-techies had never done it in their lives. Fast-forward to now, and Zoom conferences are a completely normal thing for everyone

But Zoom is coming under increasing scrutiny and criticism over its security or lack of same.

Now, I should preface this by saying that not all of that criticism is fair. Zoom made a deliberate decision to prioritize ease of use over security, and it did so knowing that this approach made sense for most users. It also made higher security available to those who wanted it.

For example, one criticism is that, by default, all meetings organised by the same host have the same meeting ID, and thus the same joining link. This means that anyone who has ever joined one of your meetings could try the link another time and be joined to any meeting currently in progress. That is true, but hosts have the option to create a meeting-specific ID (and thus link) if they choose.

Another criticism is that meetings have no password. That is again true by default, but there is the option to set one.

So effectively, Zooms default is to make it really easy to host a meeting, but with some security holes. In practice, not huge security holes for the average virtual get-together with family or friends, because theres not much incentive for a bad guy to try to join, and the small numbers of people mean that an unfamiliar name joining is going to be spotted. All the same, the company should flag these to new users, and highlight the more secure options.

A third criticism is that Zoom calls dont use end-to-end encryption. Thats not unusual: most videoconferencing apps dont, because its extremely difficult to implement without compromising ease of use. What is bad, however, is that Zooms marketing materials lie about it. The company claims to offer end-to-end encryption when it doesnt.

Theres other undeniably bad stuff.

Zoom was, for example, using an extremely sketchy method to make browser sessions easy. The result was that a website could potentially activate your Mac webcam even if you removed the Zoom app. That was fixed, but Zoom shouldnt have been taking that approach in the first place.

Zoom was also using a Facebook API which sent data to the service. Lots of apps use Facebook analytics, but Zoom was breaking the rules by not declaring this in its privacy policy. This too has been fixed.

All of which means that, as more people learn about the issues, theres increasing opportunity for a secure, privacy-focused alternative.

For an all-Apple chat, Group FaceTime is the obvious answer. Its almost as easy to use as Zoom, but has much better security. All participants, for example, need an Apple ID, and all need to be explicitly invited to join the call. And FaceTime, impressively, does use end-to-end encryption.

But FaceTime is currently useless for most family and friend get-togethers because you cant use it unless everyone you want to include owns Apple kit. Thats almost never the case.

If Apple offered FaceTime for Android and Windows, it could easily replace Zoom right now as the go-to option for most consumers. It would also be a huge win for Apples customers, as we would then be able to use our (likely) favourite video chat app with everyone.

Of course, a couple of immediate objections come to mind.

First, FaceTime is one of the benefits of the Apple ecosystem. Its one of the reasons to buy an iPhone rather than an Android phone, for example.

Second, there isnt time for Apple to do it now. It takes time and resources to create FaceTime for Android and Windows apps, and assuming that Apple has never played with the idea internally before now, it would be starting from scratch. You might argue that by the time Apple had the apps ready, the lockdowns would be all over and the need for them would be much reduced.

But Id counter both arguments. On the ecosystem front, Apple could turn this into a big PR and marketing opportunity. Create the apps, and announce that they are being made available for free for the duration of the crisis, however long that might be. Thats good PR.

Then, if it really wants to, switch off access when things are back to normal, and suddenly you have a bunch of Android and Windows users who really love a feature they can only get using Apple products.

Alternatively, and better for Apples PR and bottom line, offer it as a low-cost service for non-Apple users. Say $1.99 a month. Or how about this: the non-Apple versions can receive calls free of charge, but need to pay a monthly fee to be able to initiate them? Voila, another string to Apples Services revenue, and an incentive to switch to an Apple device.

On the time front, Apple likely has a lot more time than most people think. While governments are currently talking about lockdown periods of a few weeks, no health professionals believe that is a likely scenario. The consensus view among medical experts seems to be that the lockdown is likely to be in place for around three months with perhaps even a second lockdown over the winter. So Apple has time.

Thats my view, then: that Apple should seize the opportunity to create FaceTime for Android and Windows apps, and make it the new default consumer videoconferencing app. What say you? Please take our poll, and share your thoughts in the comments.

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Opinion: FaceTime for Android and Windows could make it the new default - 9to5Mac

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic raging all over the globe, some malware authors have developed malware that destroys infected systems, either by wiping files or rewriting a computer's master boot record (MBR).

With help from the infosec community, ZDNet has identified at least five malware strains, some distributed in the wild, while others appear to have been created only as tests or jokes.

The common theme among all four samples is that they use a coronavirus-theme and they're geared towards destruction, rather than financial gain.

MBR-rewriting malware

Of the four malware samples found by security researchers this past month, the most advanced were the two samples that rewrote MBR sectors.

Some advanced technical knowledge was needed to create these strains as tinkering with a master boot record is no easy feat and could easily result in systems that didn't boot at all.

The first of the MBR-rewriters was discovered by a security researcher that goes by the name of MalwareHunterTeam, and detailed in a report from SonicWall this week. Using the name of COVID-19.exe, this malware infects a computer and has two infection stages.

In the first phase, it just shows an annoying window that users can't close because the malware has also disabled the Windows Task Manager.

While users attempt to deal with this window, the malware is silently rewriting the computer's master boot record behind their back. It then restarts the PC, and the new MBR kicks in, blocking users into a pre-boot screen.

Users can eventually regain access to their computers, but they'll need special apps that can be used to recover and rebuild the MBR to a working state.

But there was a second coronavirus-themed malware strain that re-wrote the MBR. This one is a far more convoluted malware operation.

It posed as the "CoronaVirus ransomware" but it was only a facade. The malware's primary function was to steal passwords from an infected host and then mimic ransomware to trick the user and mask its real purpose.

However, it wasn't ransomware either. It only posed as one. Once the data-stealing operations ended, the malware entered into a phase where it rewrote the MBR, and blocked users into a pre-boot message, preventing access to their PCs. With users seeing ransom notes and then not being able to access their PCs, the last thing users would thing to do is to check if someone exfiltrated passwords from their apps.

According to analysis from SentinelOne security researcher Vitali Kremez and Bleeping Computer, the malware also contained code to wipe files on the user's systems, but this didn't appear to be active in the version they analyzed.

Furthermore, this one was also spotted twice, with a second version discovered by G DATA malware researcher Karsten Hahn, two weeks later. This time, the malware kept the MBR-rewriting capabilities but replaced the data wiping feature with a functional screen-locker.

But security researchers have spotted more than coronavirus-themed MBR-rewriters. They also spotted two data wipers.

Both were discovered by MalwareHunterTeam.

The first was spotted back in February. It used a Chinese file name, and most likely targeted Chinese users, although we don't have information if it was distributed in the wild or was just a test.

The second was spotted yesterday, and this one was found uploaded on the VirusTotal portal by someone located in Italy.

MalwareHunterTeam described both strains as "poor wipers" because of the inefficient, error-prone, and time-consuming methods they used to erase files on infected systems. However, they worked, which made them dangerous if ever spread in the wild.

It might seem weird that some malware authors create destructive malware like this, but it's not the first time that this happened. For every financially-motivated malware strain that security researchers discover, there's also one that was created as a joke, just for the giggles. Something similar happened during the WannaCry ransomware outbreak in 2017, when days after the original WannaCry ransomware encrypted computers all over the world, there were countless of clones doing the same thing for no apparent reason.

Originally posted here:
There's now COVID-19 malware that will wipe your PC and rewrite your MBR - ZDNet

A Whiteinch social enterprise company is desperately seeking funds to help feed people affected by the lockdown.

Well-Fed Scotland is turning out 1,500 meals a day for self-isolating and vulnerable groups even though its income has all but dried up.

The community interest company was set up in 2017 and operates out of The Whiteinch Centre in Northinch Court.

The enterprise company operates from the Whiteinch Centre

Managing director Chris Gray said the enterprise had been forced to switch its trading model entirely following the coronavirus outbreak.

It runs a cafe and childrens clubs and does catering with all profits going back into the community.

It has now set up a Crowdfunder page and is seeking to raise 20,000 to keep serving its meals.

Chris said: When this outbreak started to have an impact we saw a sharp decline in sales which was replaced with an enormous increase in people looking for support.

On the 14 March we made the decision to stop all our trading and focus solely on providing meals to people in need.

We have seen a lot of change. We have gone from helping people suffering financially or with mental health or through addiction, to anyone and everyone across society who are either too scared to go out, are self-isolating or are vulnerable with underlying health conditions.

We are working with a whole range of different people.

Today we provided 1,500 free meals.

The Well-Fed cafe

Well-Fed is also offering emergency food parcels.

Supermarkets such as Morrisons are helping out with things like bread.

The social enterprise firm typically covers Whiteinch, Scotstoun, Knightswood, Drumchapel, potentially Maryhill.

But its meals are now being delivered to Lambhill, Milton and Cadder and also areas in the south, Govan, Cardonald, Mosspark.

The team is made up of 13 staff members and 12 volunteers some of whom are chefs who are giving up their time to cook meals.

Chris said: We have benefitted massively from donations from some of the restaurants that have closed in the last few weeks.

When this out break started to have an impact we saw a sharp decline in sales which was replaced with an enormous increase in people looking for support

Chris Gray

Those donations are starting to dry up but supermarkets like Morrisons and Sainsburys have been donating things.

We have managed to keep the food stock going but in terms of the meal production we pretty much buy everything, including all the plastic packaging and labels.

He added: We set the Crowdfunded up as a stop gap up until we can access the governments support package.

The Crowdfunded if successful would give us about a four-week window to allow us to continue to operate and reach out to people who need help.

Chris said they were keen to hit their target within the time to allow them to access the money for when it is needed.

* The campaign runs out at midnight on Friday April 3. The Crowdfunder page can be found here.

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NEWS: Well-Fed Scotland needs 20,000 to feed people in lockdown - Glasgow West End Today

As a photographer, Cara Soulia feels her purpose is to document life. Its why she left a successful career in finance five years ago to pick up her camera full-time. So when thecoronaviruspandemic began to take hold of Soulias cozy Boston suburb, closing schools and forcing residents indoors, she worried about more than just her finances.

Even though this is negative, its historic and needs to be documented, said Soulia, who lives in Needham, Massachussetts. I couldnt help but think, How am I going to document this time in history?' Then I got the call from Kristen.

Kristen Collins helps Soulia market her family photographybusiness. She had been considering a similar question over coffee when she had a flashbulb idea: Why dont we go to these families and capture this moment in their lives where they are in their homes?

Or to be more specific and socially distant, in front of their homes. The Front Steps Project was launched on St. Patricks Day, and it has since raised almost $20,000 for charity.

Soulia and Collins started by pitching the idea to a handful of close friends and clients. Soulia would drive over, honk, and the family would be dressed and ready to step out the front door. Soulia would come no closer than 10 feet and do her best to pose them.

Im used to being up close and moving them, Soulia said. Im not used to posing people with my words I dont even know everyones names.

Once she gets the girl on the end or the dad in the frame and looking at her, she snaps a few shots and is on her way. In lieu of payment, she requests a donation to the Needham Community Council, a nonprofit that works to address health, educational and social needs in the community.

Thanks to social media and word of mouth, Soulia and Collins were soon overloaded with requests through their online application form. Two other area photographers, Caitrin Dunphy and Topher Cox, joined the project. Together, they have shot nearly 400 Needham families.

Perhaps even more inspiring was the response from other communities around the country as news of the Front Steps Project stretched to Georgia toIndianato California. More than 250 photographers contacted Soulia and Collins looking to capture their neighborhoods and raise money for local causes. A studio in South Carolina has families hold up a sign with a word or two about what this time has meant to their families. Aphotographer in Michigan calls them "porchraits."

Now that pandemic has intensified, Soulia and Collins want to set another example for their fellow photographers:hitting pause. As of this week, The Front Steps Project is joining the movement to flatten the curve.

We knew wed have a stay-at-home order, Collins said. We want to respect our government and community. We want the other photographers to see us as leaders who say when its time to stop, its time to stop.

While Soulia and her 10-year-old daughter/navigator were hustling around the neighborhood, frantically clicking the shutter button, they didnt have time to stop to appreciate what they were doing. Now on hiatus, Soulia has had a chance to go back and really look at the images: families wearing everything from slacks to PJs, huddling together, trying to smile through one fleeting moment of normalcy in a time of staggering uncertainty.

One of the most important moments was when we connected with the local hospital, Soulia said. There were nine ER doctors in blue scrubs with masks on. It was everything. The story of what was happening. I didnt have time to process it at the moment. When I got home, I couldnt help but cry.

Tony Rehagen is a freelance writer in St. Louis

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Front porch portraits document home life in the time of coronavirus - USA TODAY

Since her classes are now all remote due to the coronavirus pandemic, Anderson emailed her teacher for help, rather than ask for it in the classroom.

She expected some emails, or maybe even a phone call from her teacher, Mr. Chris Waba.

But then the doorbell rang -- and she saw Waba, standing on her porch, holding a whiteboard and marker, ready to teach.

The Madison, South Dakota student said while trying to complete her math homework, she couldn't ask her parents for help because they weren't home. Plus, she said, they wouldn't have been much help anyway.

"My mom got all the questions wrong when she helped me before," Anderson told CNN.

When Waba received Anderson's email, he responded -- but could tell she was still struggling with the lesson.

For 10 minutes or so, Waba squatted on Rylee's porch as he went through three math equations. Rylee stood on the other side of the screen door, nodding her head as she followed along and took notes.

"He made it easier to understand," Rylee said. "I appreciated him coming over."

Rylee's dad, Josh Anderson, who is the head coach of Dakota State University's football team, shared the moment on Twitter. His post has since garnered hundreds of retweets and thousands of likes.

"The picture just shows the length that which teachers will go to help their students at any cost during these times," Josh Anderson said.

Waba, who has been teaching at Madison Middle School for 27 years, said it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

"I'm a better communicator face-to-face than (on) the telephone and I think students learn better that way," Waba said. "Teachers all across the nation have been thrown into a situation like this. I think we're all more comfortable being in front of our classes and that's where we'd rather be."

By the end of their lesson, Waba said he could tell Rylee finally understood the concept because she smiled and thanked him.

"That's what teachers are looking for, those smiles," Waba said. "That's the joy of being a teacher and that's what we do it for."

Original post:
Math teacher shows up at student's front porch to give her a one-on-one lesson while social distancing - CNN

Deliveries of groceries and packages are soaring as physical retailers close their doors and tens of millions of Americans shelter in place. Moreover, the need for social distancing may encourage more delivery workers to leave packages unattended on porches rather than risk an interaction with someone who has the coronavirus.

These conditions may be perfect for thieves, who prior to the pandemic were increasingly pilfering packages from homes across the country.

About 11 million homeowners reported having a package stolen in 2017 and a separate 2018 survey found that almost a fifth of Americans said they had been a victim. Three-quarters of the 2017 thefts occurred during the day, and the average cost of the stolen items was close to US$200.

I led a recent study of porch piracy to better understand how it happens. I enlisted the help of two graduate students, Melody Hicks and Zachary Hutchinson, to help me review the videos, and my wife Amy Stickle, a math lecturer, performed a statistical analysis to ensure accuracy of the data collected.

We examined 67 home security videos uploaded to YouTube to observe the behavior of porch pirates before, during and after they stole a package. Our analysis, which documented 98 stolen packages, reveals some interesting trends and possible prevention techniques.

We found that thefts typically transpired close to roadways, with packages being visible from the street in nearly all incidents of theft. Most packages that were stolen were of medium size and had brand names on the boxes.

Very few thieves attempted to disguise themselves. As they approached residences, neither fences, cameras or vehicles parked in the driveway seemed to deter them. And a few thieves appeared to be actually following delivery vehicles.

We noticed that to avoid suspicion when executing their heists, some thieves carried dummy items with them to reduce suspicion, such as paperwork, packages or other items to make their visit seem legitimate.

In virtually every incident, a single individual approached the home and took the packages. In a third of cases, there was also an accomplice involved who usually served as a getaway driver.

One aspect that particularly struck us was how quickly the thefts transpired. From start to finish, we documented several that took under 30 seconds to complete.

In terms of solutions, recipients would be smart to try to ensure theres a secure container or location to store packages until they can be retrieved. Businesses should make sure to always notify customers when packages are delivered and avoid leaving them in the open.

Put simply, our research suggests vigilance is key. And as more stuff arrives at our doorsteps, itll be easy pickings for thieves unless retailers, delivery companies, law enforcement and consumers dont do more to curb porch piracy.

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Porch piracy: Here's what we learned after watching hours of YouTube videos showing packages being pilfered from homes - The Conversation US

Ashley Brown and Kurt Kryszak are capturing history in a series of family portraits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Families gather on their steps and front lawns for the informal portraits.

Brown, a photographer who owns Eleven Creative, and photographer/videographer Kurt Kryszak of Kryszak Photography, share a studio in Downtown Bay City at 509 Center Ave. Before COVID-19 hit, the pair focused on weddings, senior pictures, and family portraits. They also provide freelance photography services for Route Bay City.

Since the portraits are taken at home, its easy to include family pets.

Now, they spend their days shooting portraits of families together on porches or in their front yards. The portraits capture moments in everyday family life under Gov. Gretchen Whitmers Stay Home Executive Order.

Brown relies on long lenses to capture portraits without any physical contact between herself and the people in the pictures.I think theres something really raw and real about taking family photos at your own home, Brown adds. Especially during the pandemic. It doesnt give you the opportunity to go out and shop for new matching outfits, get haircuts, etc. Its real life.

Most of the families featured in the project have been eager to get outside and do something different.

Brown was inspired when she came across an NBC Boston article talking about the #TheFrontStepsProject, which started in Needham, Massachusetts. A freelance photographer there wanted to capture families in this unique time in history. Browns approach is similar and aims at a more local market. She is calling it the Porch Portraits Project.

Before the pandemic, Browns business focused on families, high school seniors, and wedding parties. Much of that business dried up when social distancing restrictions became normal.

I saw the original article about this project, and I thought Okay, thats awesome, says Brown. Id love to be able to capture people with their families right now. I think this has really shown useveryonewhat is important in life, and thats our families.

The portraits offer a glimpse of American family life during a global pandemic.While the project does require Brown and Kryszak to leave their home, they are careful to follow social distancing guidelines to protect themselves, their subjects, and the community. They drive to the homes, but remain outside and about 10 to 15 feet away from the families. Scheduling and payment all take place without any physical contact. Neither Brown nor Kryszak are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and have no known exposure to anyone with the illness.

Jenn and Aaron Grigg contacted Brown to become part of her Porch Portraits Project.I dont touch anything other than my own camera equipment and my vehicle, Brown adds, discussing the practice of safe methods during the pandemic. While she takes stills of the clients, Kryszak takes photos of Brown behind the scenesalso at a safe distance. The whole process is done in under 10 minutes.

Families throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region are invited to join the project.Like how most of us feel right now, Brown says the families shes taken portraits of so far have all been a little stir crazy and anxious to get outside. One client used them as their pregnancy/baby announcement, so that was fun, she adds. Once the portraits are finished and edited, she emails them directly to the clients.

The finished portraits offer a candid look at life during the COVID-19 pandemic.Brown and Kryszak are accepting clients for this project in the Great Lakes Bay Region, but are focused on Bay City, Saginaw, and Midland.

As the studio is closed and people cancel weddings and delay senior portraits, Brown and Kryszak are looking for more Porch Portraits Project clients. They plan on continuing the project as long as the pandemic lasts. To schedule an appointment, reach out to Brown through Eleven Creative.

Original post:
The Porch Portraits Project: Two Bay City photographers capturing images of history as it happens - Concentrate

Ashley Brown and Kurt Kryszak are capturing history in a series of family portraits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brown, a photographer who owns Eleven Creative, and photographer/videographer Kurt Kryszak of Kryszak Photography, share a studio in Downtown Bay City at 509 Center Ave. Before COVID-19 hit, the pair focused on weddings, senior pictures, and family portraits. They also provide freelance photography services for Route Bay City.

Now, they spend their days shooting portraits of families together on porches or in their front yards. The portraits capture moments in everyday family life under Gov. Gretchen Whitmers Stay Home Executive Order.

Photographer Ashley Brown stands 10 to 15 feet away from the people featured in her Porch Portraits Project.

I think theres something really raw and real about taking family photos at your own home, Brown adds. Especially during the pandemic. It doesnt give you the opportunity to go out and shop for new matching outfits, get haircuts, etc. Its real life.

Brown was inspired when she came across an NBC Boston article talking about the #TheFrontStepsProject, which started in Needham, Massachusetts. A freelance photographer there wanted to capture families in this unique time in history. Browns approach is similar and aims at a more local market. She is calling it the Porch Portraits Project.

I saw the original article about this project, and I thought Okay, thats awesome, says Brown. Id love to be able to capture people with their families right now. I think this has really shown useveryonewhat is important in life, and thats our families.

Since the portraits are taken at home, its easy to include family pets.

While the project does require Brown and Kryszak to leave their home, they are careful to follow social distancing guidelines to protect themselves, their subjects, and the community. They drive to the homes, but remain outside and about 10 to 15 feet away from the families. Scheduling and payment all take place without any physical contact. Neither Brown nor Kryszak are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and have no known exposure to anyone with the illness.

I dont touch anything other than my own camera equipment and my vehicle, Brown adds, discussing the practice of safe methods during the pandemic. While she takes stills of the clients, Kryszak takes photos of Brown behind the scenesalso at a safe distance. The whole process is done in under 10 minutes.

Brown relies on zoom lenses to capture portraits without any physical contact between herself and the people in the pictures.

Like how most of us feel right now, Brown says the families shes taken portraits of so far have all been a little stir crazy and anxious to get outside. One client used them as their pregnancy/baby announcement, so that was fun, she adds. Once the portraits are finished and edited, she emails them directly to the clients.

Brown and Kryszak are accepting clients for this project in the Great Lakes Bay Region, but are focused on Bay City, Saginaw, and Midland.

As the studio is closed and people cancel weddings and delay senior portraits, Brown and Kryszak are looking for more Porch Portraits Project clients. They plan on continuing the project as long as the pandemic lasts. To schedule an appointment, reach out to Brown through Eleven Creative.

View original post here:
The Porch Portraits Project: Two photographers capturing images of history as it happens - Concentrate

Some title companies are conducting remote digital closings.

As the impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to turn the real estate market on its head, curbside and remote mortgage closings have become a logical extension of signing loan documents and distributing money at the office of a title company or escrow office.

Title companies are adjusting to new protocols to ensure safe closings, according to Diane Tomb, CEO of American Land Title Association.

During this health pandemic and social distancing, were seeing title companies across the country get creative to offer safe and secure closings for their customers, she said. In addition to drive-through closings and implementing safe closing protocols, companies are closing transactions through remote online notarization, which uses audio/visual technology to complete a notarial act when the customer is not in the same physical location as the notary public.

Notaries and signers are justifiably concerned about being exposed to someone possibly infected with COVID-19 when meeting face to face during loan signings and notarizations, according to Notary Bulletin, noting: In response, some closing companies have recommended a process called window-separated signing or porch signing, in which loan signings are conducted through a window or doorway at a safe physical distance.

National Notary Association has published guidelines for performing window-separated signings. For example, a notary must follow all federal, state and local guidelines for social distancing, health protection and sanitization when meeting with signers and handling documents, IDs or other materials. When items are passed between the signer and notary, one person should place the item in a neutral area and then step back and provide safe distance to allow the other person to pick it up.

Notarize, a platform for digital notarizations, sawreal estate volume increase by 400% in Marchandhas $23 billion in real estate transactions ordered for April.To support the surge in demand,Notarize is hiring 1,000 notaries in Texas, Florida, Nevada and Virginiatojoin its team in a role that allows notaries to work remotely, safely in their homes.

Knight Barry Title Group in Milwaukee is offering remote closing solutions whenever possible for the safety and convenience of its customers.

In a Facebook video, chief operating officer Craig Haskins explained that Knight Barry has implemented a work-from-home plan for employees who are able to handle their jobs remotely. But mission-critical jobs like our closing department and our closers, theyre here, and they are closing your transactions right now in our closing rooms, he said. With some of our employees allowed working remotely, its allowed us to create a safer social-distancing environment. It allows us to keep clean, stay organized and be prepared for the next set of closings that come through our doors.

Haskins said the company has put into effect safe plans for its office to make sure it is sanitized. The guidance is published on Knight Barrys website. For example, the company has bought hundreds of pens so that after the signing, the signers can take their pens with them or dispose of them on the way out. After the closing, the staff wipes down all touched hard surfaces.

Knight Barry also can handle document signing online and give customers their proceeds in a way they prefer.

The remote online notarization allows us to keep our offices free of unneeded visitors, explained Haskins. While we love to have you in the closing rooms, at this point in time, wed like to limit the number of people coming into the room and limit those closings just to the people who need to sign the documents when possible. Weve also had many requests for in-home closings. While it seems like a great idea, those are becoming harder and harder for us to plan around and organize.

Rocket Mortgage states on in its website that it is taking extraordinary measures to complete customers real estate transaction in a safe and secure manner, including:

Even though shelter-in-place orders are in effect in many areas of the country, the mortgage process can still continue, Rocket Mortgage states. Appraisers, closing agents and other people who need to enter your home can still do so under the shelter-in-place order. In some cases, we even have alternative ways to complete these parts of the process that dont require entering the home.

To make these precautionary measures as effective as possible, we need your support. When the appraiser or signing agent arrives, they are going to ask to maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet, and they will not shake your hand. This isnt because theyre unfriendly, it is because theyre following CDC guidelines to maintain proper safety. They may even arrive wearing rubber gloves or a face mask as an added precaution. We respect their choice to do so, and ask that you respect it as well.

Kathy Kwak, vice president of title and escrow operations and counsel for Proper Title in Chicago, told Chicago Agent magazine that in order to ensure the safety of her staff, the second-largest title agency in Illinois is encouraging buyers and sellers to provide a power of attorney to their lawyers so that they dont need to attend the closing at all.

In a typical curbside transaction, the magazine reports that buyers and their agents show up in separate cars and are met outside by a title company closer, who will collect the buyers drivers license, signature and cashiers or certified check. Before the closing, the buyers attorney must review the loan and closing documents.

Kwak pointed out that although the overall process is much safer, the excitement of closing on a home is somewhat diminished. This is a big moment for many buyers, she said, noting that the pandemic has taken away that whole ceremony. All of that now has been removed. Its so robotic and routine now.

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From Curb Service To Porch Signings, Title Companies Get Creative With Social Distancing Options For Closings - Forbes

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MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Calif. (KTXL) -- If a picture is worth a thousand words, what photographer Katie Scott is doing around her Mountain House community tells a beautiful story.

Scott had the idea to take photos of families on their porches during her afternoon walk.

She posted her idea online and since then more than 50 requests have been made for the mini photoshoots.

I love being able to capture those moments between families, between kids and parents. Of course, I love kids, Scott said.

It was supposed to be just a fun thing to do to get people out of their homes for a few minutes but to the families, the photos mean so much more.

Michele Morris and Brandon Clark had their photos taken by Scott.

He's 13 and I'm not going to have but a few more years before he's gone and I'm trying to just really enjoy every moment, Morris said.

Scott is putting her photography skills to use while snapping family porch-raits from a distance as the state remains under a stay-at-home order.

To see the smile on a lot of these families faces has been so awesome and so fun, Scott explained.

For families, the laughs and smiles shared during the mini photoshoots will be a happy memory to take away from a time of uncertainty.

A lot of stress and then the worry of keeping everyone safe, keeping everyone healthy and it just kind of takes your mind off of that a little bit, Alicia Baxter said.

It just seemed like something fun to do, something to kind of make us smile and break the monotony of being in the house, Morris said.

Ronna Green said she will look back on the photos and always remember the time spent with family and the kindness of a neighbor.

The first thing Ill remember from the photos is the generosity of the photographer, the idea that she had to give families this opportunity, Green said. That's probably most important because I feel like in times like this, it's what we do for each other, to help and support each other.

That matters most a picture-perfect sense of community during a global pandemic.

That's made me really happy, being able to see the joy in other people's faces just from getting their pictures taken for a few minutes, Scott said.

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Mountain House photographer takes family porch-raits to lift spirits during the coronavirus pandemic - FOX40