Hackers smell easy money from a distance like a shark smells blood. And ecommerce websites where transactions happen like crazy serve as an open invitation for those with malicious intentions. Therefore, ecommerce website security is imperative for all webshop owners.
According to a study, USD 3.86 million is the average total cost owing to data breaches globally. Any business wouldn’t want to contribute to this burgeoning figure! If ensuring ecommerce website security is giving you sleepless nights, we have your back.
Read on to know six practical and doable ways to secure your ecommerce website from the prying eyes of hackers and scammers.
1. Switch to the more reliable HTTPS protocol
One thing that is sure to stand as a solid wall between your precious communications with valued consumers and hackers hungry for their credit card details is the HTTPS protocol!
Wondering what in the world is that? Well, simply put, HTTPS is the secure version of the HTTP protocol. Yes, you guessed it right, the S in HTTPS stands for secure.
To enable the HTTPS protocol, you need to invest in an SSL certificate. SSL or Secure Socket Layer offers an encrypted and secure channel for in-transit communication between your web browser and the customer server.
This seemingly simple step will keep away hackers and MITM attacks effectively from accessing your customers’ PII (Personally Identifiable Information) like credit card details, SSN, etc. Customers nowadays are incredibly tech-savvy and look for the secure padlock symbol before parting with their sensitive details. To activate the secure padlock and garner more customer trust, one must invest in the right kind of SSL certificate.
For ecommerce webshop owners with multiple level-one subdomains to secure such as product pages, about us, blog, and payment gateway page, under the main domain, invest in Wildcard SSL certificate to secure all the pages quickly.
It is highly recommended to invest in a cost-effective and cheap SSL certificate like Wildcard for such business ventures. With this single cert, you can afford unmatched protection to an unlimited number of first-level subdomains under the chosen primary domain at no extra cost! This not only saves a lot of your hard-earned money but also eliminates certificate management hassles. From the cloud penetration test you can directly access the cyber security gaps in cloud applications and deploy relevant protection measures.
2. Employ the powers of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
It is always advisable to deploy additional layers of security to reduce the chances of penetration by malicious elements. One such method is to use MFA, 2FA, or 2SV. Though used interchangeably, they have minute differences between them. Let’s have a look!
- 2 Step Verification (2SV): Where 2SV is employed, the user must submit an OTP delivered by SMS, mail, or phone call to log in.
- 2 Factor Authentication(2FA): The user is required to confirm their login attempt on a separate device, such as by opening a specific app or clicking on a code on a smartphone.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): As the name goes, MFA can refer to more than two layers of authentication.
3. Ensure that your webshop is PCI DSS compliant
It is essential for websites involved in financial transactions to comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) regulations. Being PCI DSS compliant helps reduce incidences of data theft by securing online customer transactions.
To meet their standards, the business must have a proper firewall installed, with an updated antivirus and valid SSL certification in addition to other requirements.
4. Ensure limited access allocation to employees
The principle of least privilege applies here as well. With BYOD policy gaining prevalence in work cultures worldwide, it is imperative to give only the relevant access to the employee in question.
For instance, a content writer wouldn’t need access to the admin page or the payments page. Giving the right level of access to the right employee can save you from a lot of trouble!
5. Remember to carry out periodic security audits
Engage your blue team and red team in a cyberbattle of sorts to give your online business the level of cybersecurity it deserves. This will help ensure that your cybersecurity remains up to the mark.
Regular security audits help businesses amp up their cybersecurity game and stay a step or two ahead of hackers and scammers.
6. Store only relevant customer information
Employ the simple principle that you wouldn’t have to worry about data you don’t have! So stick to collecting and storing only relevant customer information.
If you need their credit card credentials for completing a purchase, you don’t need to ask for their birthdates!
Conclusion
Creating and launching a web business is incomplete without ensuring its cybersecurity. With hackers prowling and scouring the web for landing a juicy loot, you need to be extra cautious as an ecommerce website owner! Begin installing the right SSL certificate and enabling HTTPS protocol on your website, ensuring good password hygiene, antivirus software, and a regularly updated backup for all your site data.
