Strengthening Your Online Store’s Defenses: A Guide to E-Commerce Cybersecurity Best Practices

By Rebecca Roberts

In the realm of online business, where transactions and personal information intersect, ecommerce sites unfortunately become enticing targets for cyber attackers.

In recent years, there have been multiple prominent data breaches, with one report even pinpointing that 29% of ecommerce website traffic carries malicious intent.

Undoubtedly, the security of ecommerce websites takes center stage in the thoughts of both platforms and businesses.

A breach holds the capacity to inflict lasting damage upon a company’s reputation and corrode the trust customers place in it. Businesses are expected to shoulder the burden of guaranteeing security, as customers anticipate. Novel security threats within the e-commerce domain are surfacing at a rising pace, while instances of cybercrimes are growing increasingly prevalent.

Security isn’t a lavish indulgence; it’s an absolute imperative. For Chicago businesses seeking enhanced protection and tailored strategies, consider harnessing the specialized insights offered by Cyber Security Chicago services.

Common Threats Encountered by E-commerce Websites

Before delving into strategies for fortifying your store’s security, let’s swiftly survey some of the most common dangers confronting e-commerce enterprises today. This will equip you with the insights necessary for bolstering the defenses of your digital storefront.

Credit Card Skimmers

Among the foremost worries for online shopping platforms are credit card skimmers and Magecart assaults. In these instances, malicious actors infuse harmful code into your website’s checkout page, surreptitiously harvesting credit card information from unsuspecting customers.

Malware

The all-encompassing term “malware” encompasses a spectrum of malevolent code, including SEO spam, backdoors, phishing, hacking utilities, and defacements. Infected files from various origins have the potential to introduce malware, which can cause chaos by deleting data, pilfering customer data, contaminating site visitors, or even extorting your website.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-site scripting, often denoted as XSS, occurs when cyber intruders implement malevolent JavaScript within a target’s web browser. In the initial injection stage, the assailant affixes their malicious code atop a valid website, craftily duping web browsers into executing their malware whenever the website is visited.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

DDoS assaults inundate the servers of online stores with meticulously coordinated traffic, effectively barring legitimate customers.

SQL Injection (SQLi)

SQL Injection (SQLi) attacks manipulate backend databases by inserting malevolent SQL code into preexisting SQL statements. As the primary instigator of extensive data breaches, SQLi represents an authentic peril to e-commerce websites.

Fraud

Chargeback fraud occurs when buyers make purchases, receive the products, and then dispute the transactions with their banks, claiming they didn’t authorize the purchases.

Cybersecurity Best Practices

Consumers furnish retailers with a wealth of valuable PII during online payment transactions, which they anticipate will be safeguarded. Maintaining the security of your digital payments online and sidestepping the troubles of a breach becomes less onerous if you adhere to these recommended procedures to prevent ecommerce security concerns.

Implement Multi-Layer Security

Employing defense in depth is the sole approach to shield against contemporary malware and malicious actors. Even individuals lacking technological sophistication now have access to malware at the level of nation-state capabilities. Believing that you can seal every vulnerability with a subscription to a traditional antivirus provider is inviting trouble. The threat landscape is complex, involving malicious insiders, supply chain attacks, and known workarounds for common antivirus security solutions. Effective security entails steering clear of the peril of a solitary point of failure.

HTTPS: A Standard, Not the Ultimate Shield

Every online payment system must employ the secure HTTPS protocol, but it’s a misconception to assume that merely using an encrypted connection fulfills all your security needs. All the breaches mentioned earlier happened on websites that also employed HTTPS. Therefore, while it’s a compulsory prerequisite, there’s still a lot more to address.

Anti-malware Software

In light of the increasing sophistication of eCommerce security measures, malware attacks have also grown more advanced.

Listed below are some renowned anti-malware solutions compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux:

ESET Endpoint Security: ESET, well-known for its sturdy and agile cybersecurity solutions, assists in safeguarding businesses of varying sizes against the most sophisticated cyber assaults. Small business owners and newcomers to the world of online retail can experiment with it before making a commitment, as it offers a complimentary 30-day trial.

AVG Antivirus: AVG shields your website through multiple methods, including instantaneous threat alerts and remote administrative tools for on-the-go website security management. While AVG doesn’t provide a free trial for their internet antivirus plan, they do offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Norton: Each and every Norton package encompasses a password manager and the Virus Protection Promise characteristic, ensuring a complete reimbursement if a virus proves unremovable from your device. Norton smoothly integrates device security, online confidentiality, and identity safeguarding to efficiently pinpoint and counter assorted online hazards. A 7-day trial, offering thorough protection, stands readily available.

Select Secure Hosting

The responsibility of housing your site’s files falls on your chosen hosting provider. Therefore, opting for a dependable provider that furnishes reliable and secure data storage for your eCommerce store is crucial.

Before selecting a hosting providing services, make sure to look for the features i.e. SSL Certificates, Encryption, DDoS, and Malware Protection. Furthermore, confirm that it offers data backups to swiftly reinstate your site’s functionality in the event of a security breach.

At Hostinger, web hosting packages encompass features like a complimentary SSL certificate and a 99.9% uptime assurance. Take your time to assess which plan best aligns with the requirements of your eCommerce website.

Security of Payment Gateway

Payment gateways act as an intermediary between your website and the payment processor, which could be the bank or credit card company responsible for authorizing payments. The primary responsibility of the payment gateway is to guarantee the security of the transaction and prevent fraudulent activities by individuals who lack the means to make payments.

Your payment gateway must employ point-to-point encryption (P2PE), utilizes tokenization to minimize payment fraud stemming from stolen data, and adheres to PCI DSS compliance standards.

Establish Regular Site Updates

Security updates are regularly released by web developers to mend vulnerabilities and introduce new solutions. Hence, it’s essential to routinely update your eCommerce site’s core software to prevent hackers from capitalizing on these vulnerabilities.

Furthermore, consistently verify and upgrade your site’s plugins and themes. These updates usually include solutions for known problems or add new features.

Maintain your website’s up-to-date status by enabling automatic updates. This not only makes your website maintenance routine more efficient but also keeps outdated core software from lingering on your website.

Conclusion

Enforcing eCommerce security measures, as highlighted earlier, is vital for any business engaged in online retailing and digital payments. Neglecting to address these vulnerabilities can inadvertently transform your sensitive data into a digital treasure trove for hackers, ripe for sale on the dark web or within the shadowy corridors of “carder” trading forums.

Rebecca is a seasoned content writer based in Chicago, specializing in cyber security. With a passion for demystifying complex tech concepts, she crafts engaging content that empowers readers to navigate the digital landscape securely. Her expertise lies in bridging the gap between technology and everyday users.