eCommerce shopping is becoming more and more prevalent. Customers globally now prefer shopping their products online to physical shopping. Customers have realized the convenience that comes with eCommerce websites. Physical stores are also on the run to create websites to have an online presence.
Although eCommerce brings many benefits to both consumers and e-merchants, it could also be risky to both two parties. One of the biggest challenges facing eCommerce stores is website security threats. eCommerce website owners should be extra vigilant when creating websites to ensure that their websites are well-protected from security threats.
This article explains the ultimate eCommerce website security that you should use to secure your website from cybersecurity threats.
Ultimate Ecommerce Website Security Checklist
1. Use HTTPS
If you scan through the internet, you will notice that an increasing number of websites are served via the HTTPS protocol. For eCommerce stores, HTTPS is the standard protocol. To enable the HTTPS protocol on your eCommerce website, you first need to buy an SSL certificate.
An SSL certificate adds a security layer to your eCommerce website and safeguards your clients by keeping your in-transit data and information secure at all times. The certificate works by encrypting the communication between your eCommerce servers and your clients’ browsers.
The encryption prevents third parties from intercepting the communication. Encrypted data is undecipherable and needs to be decrypted first before the intended recipient can decipher it.
As an eCommerce website security measure, you must ensure that you acquire and install an SSL certificate on your website.
Because your eCommerce website might carry multiple subdomains, it would be advisable to save on costs by buying a wildcard SSL certificate. With this single certificate, you can secure the primary domain and an unlimited number of first-level subdomains. Therefore, you can save money by acquiring a cheap wildcard SSL certificate for your eCommerce website.
2. Consider Using Two-factor Authentication
First and foremost, you need to use strong passwords. Strong passwords will safeguard your online accounts from malicious access by intruders. If you do not use strong passwords, your accounts will easily be compromised. For this reason, you must ensure that you use complex and long passwords. Complexity and length are the two characteristics that define strong passwords.
Although passwords play a significant role in website security, it appears that most users do not adhere to best password practices. Furthermore, passwords are prone to brute force attacks and dictionary attacks. As such, passwords alone can never adequately protect your eCommerce accounts from cyber threats. You will need an extra authentication layer referred to as 2FA to fortify your authentication process.
Using the 2-factor authentication, you will be required to use authentication layers that intruders cannot access. These are the things you know. For instance, you can be asked to enter a secret word or a one-time password.
Of late, with the revolution in artificial intelligence and machine learning, biometric authentication features have also become popular. You are the only one in possession of these features. Only you can access your accounts.
3. Use a Virtual Private Network Service
With password vulnerabilities, data breaches, and financial frauds, securing your eCommerce website can be tedious yet a top priority. However, it would help if you understood that most hacks are usually carried out on public networks. Therefore, it is imperative to protect data against data interceptions and other malicious actors in such cases.
A Virtual Private Network is one of the most crucial eCommerce website security tools that you must have. It creates a tunnel for all your businesses’ sensitive data. The tunnel will ensure that all data is encrypted before it enters a public network. Encrypted data can only be decrypted once it reaches the servers. A VPN thus helps to prevent any malicious parties from compromising your data.
4. Address Verification Systems
Sometimes hackers masquerade as genuine customers and might give you harmful data that could later compromise your eCommerce website security. To prevent such cases, you need an Address Verification System. AVS verifies the authenticity of data that your clients share with you. Any data discrepancies would be seen as potential fraud.
5. Install Security Firewalls
Security firewalls operate in the same manner as real firewalls. For example, suppose there is a fire; the firewalls will prevent the fire from reaching out to the other side of the room, thereby saving the entire building from going down.
In cybersecurity, a firewall will act as a barrier to harmful traffic trying to access your eCommerce website. They will scan through all connection requests received via private networks. Firewalls will then identify and filter out malicious traffic that could cause harm to your eCommerce website. Because your eCommerce website hosts sensitive data, you will need to buy and install firewalls.
6. Keep Your Software Up to date
There is a reason why software developers and vendors keep on releasing new software versions. The reason is that they want to improve the functionality and security of the software.
Software and Content Management Systems such as WordPress become obsolete over time and develop security loopholes that could make them vulnerable to hackers. Developers have to come in to fix these loopholes. They will release new software versions that address the security vulnerabilities.
Although conducting frequent software updates might seem cumbersome, you have no choice but to do it. As a best eCommerce website security practice, always ensure you install the updates once released and tested.
7. Strengthen Malware Protection
Malware attacks are becoming common. You need proper website security tools that will scan through your eCommerce website to detect and prevent any form of malware. Malware attacks are a threat to your customer data and your data.
Regardless of SSL protection, malware attacks such as viruses and formjacking will find their way into your system to compromise your data.
Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to malware attacks. Malware attackers will target your email system. Hackers will send a malicious link or attachment to your employees.
On clicking the link or downloading the attachment, malware will spread through your eCommerce website. Therefore, you should educate your employees to stay vigilant at all times and mind the type of attachments and links they click on.
Additionally, you should buy and install anti-malware software. In doing so, you will be securing your eCommerce store against malware attacks.
Conclusion
eCommerce brings a lot of benefits. Perhaps this explains why most merchants are on the run to establish an online presence. However, a lot of vigilance and cautiousness is required when setting up an eCommerce store. The internet streets are not safe, and a single mistake could compromise your eCommerce store and open doors to hackers. It would be best to put in place all the measures explained above to ensure that you remain secure.