Last updated on March 28th, 2024
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on businesses and the global economy, the eCommerce market is thriving. Every business, small or large, strongly feels the need for an eCommerce website to improve visibility, reach and survive. A thoughtfully designed, responsive website has become an essential asset for any business, especially after the pandemic that has drastically changed the way people shop today.
With the pandemic weighing down, everything online thrives. With e-commerce thriving, the need for internet security becomes vital. According to Deloitte, cyber-attacks have been increased by 35% post-pandemic, raising the eyebrows of cyber experts and people responsible for ensuring cybersecurity. So it’s critical to invest in security for e-commerce sites.
Here Are The Few Tips On How To Secure Your E-Commerce Site
01. Secure E-Commerce Website Platform
Today, every business starts with investing in an e-commerce platform, and to secure transactions and details of users; you need to start investing in e-commerce security. It’s vital to start thinking about security for e-commerce sites from the get-go. A wrong decision can lead to access to common malware like SQL injections.
It’s pivotal to ensure that your website is protected so that no malware can slip through. Simple factors like website traffic can influence website security as well. When building an e-commerce business through a web host, it’s vital to verify, research all options and pick the most secure option. Let’s flip the coin. If one wants to build their website, they need to incorporate security measures right from the beginning.
02. Implementing/Investing In An SSL Certificate
Do you notice that some websites have ‘HTTPS’ before their domain name? That extra “s” stands for security, which means the website has an SSL certificate. So far, we’ve mentioned securing a website and an SSL certificate is one way to do so. An SSL certificate is a must-have for any e-commerce website. But what actually is an SSL certificate? It’s a data file that encrypts data. It helps identify or verify a server’s identity when it accesses a website’s server.
An SSL certificate helps provide end-to-end encryption exchanged between a web browser and a web server. It’s the first layer of defense against malware attacks. It also provides a win-win situation as it authenticates the website as well as encrypts in-transit data. Its encrypted functionality ensures that sensitive data like financial information does not land in the wrong hands.
A website without proper cybersecurity can be easily hacked, and consumers’ data may get leaked. In a website having an SSL Certificate, data is encrypted, making it unreadable. If you want to buy SSL Certificate, there are many cheap SSL certificate providers to pick from.
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03. Timely Updation of Existing Software
If you’re thinking of e-commerce security, it’s vital to update internal servers, software systems, anti-virus, and plugins. Updating involves identifying weaknesses or vulnerabilities. Building an e-commerce platform involves various elements, so it’s vital to keep them up to date.
First and foremost consideration to make for protecting your website and business is to get a web application firewall. The firewall will help you keep the potential theft of your business records and personal data of your users, which also builds trust among target customers.
Technology is constantly evolving with time, and updating your website means staying up-to-date with the latest technologies. Simply creating a website is not enough. Keeping it secure is also another process. Since a website has various elements, upgrading it will help counteract new malware attacks. Hackers find new ways to breach websites and cause havoc.
So updating external plugins and internal servers is like leveling up to maintain security. Sometimes updates are automatic, but sometimes they’re done manually. If they’re manual, pay close attention to the process of updating. It is essential for e-commerce security.
04. Enforce Strong Password Settings and Two-Factor Authentication
Website visitors’ vital data or existing consumers’ data, or even details of social media followers, etc., need to be protected. Security of e-commerce website entails protective measures to protect their data.
One simple protective method that’s been with us since the birth of the internet is passwords. Passwords are protective codes that provide exclusive access to data; it protects and safeguards the user’s data. But since malware attacks have become intricate and tricky, many websites are implementing basic standards for passwords.
Have you ever tried logging in to a website and encountered minimum password requirements, such as the minimum number of characters, use of uppercase letters, and special characters?
These requirements make passwords strong, making one’s account less susceptible to hacking. Every e-commerce website should implement the above requirements to ensure its users have strong passwords.
Another way to protect user data or prevent website user’s accounts from being attacked is two-factor authentication. Instead of having an account only password-protected, adding another log-in step is like adding another security layer. E-commerce security must involve authentication security to protect data related to the organization, consumers, and website.
05. PCI Compliant Paired With Regular Audits
Every commercial website is accountable to an official body. So if you’re launching an e-commerce platform, it has to be PCI compliant. PCI DSS and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard are security standards that help reduce or prevent credit card fraud. This guide to PCI compliance outlines many security standards for ecommerce platforms.
Attaining these standards is not an easy feat, but it ensures security. Some of these compliances include a firewall for payment, not storing payment details (if you do, then it needs to be strongly encrypted), regular security checks, etc.
Another way you can ensure your website’s security is through regular IT security audits. Regularly checking your security infrastructure and measures will help you understand your strengths and vulnerabilities.
Besides, it allows you to delete unnecessary sensitive information and find new ways to develop security. It also increases website trust and credibility amongst website users.
What to look out for when you audit your website? Some factors are data security, payment, engagement, etc. A security audit is not only about looking internally but externally as well, like who exactly visits your website. A comprehensive security audit looks at a larger picture.
Also, ensure that your eCommerce website complies with the GDPR if you target European Union customers. The General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR] is a privacy and security law that is about protecting the financial and personal data of the EU people. Note also that non-compliance with this law may even result in a massive fine for such a company that does business in the EU.
Conclusion
E-commerce security is a very intricate and comprehensive process involving a wide range of elements, but it is crucial for secure transactions. When a website audit is performed regularly, it will make your eCommerce site hackproof.
