5 Tips to know if your E-Commerce site is secure
Online shopping has become common, with millions buying goods and services from e-commerce sites. However, as the number of online transactions grows, so does the risk of cyber attacks, data breaches, and other security threats that can compromise sensitive information such as credit card numbers, addresses, and passwords. Business owners must ensure their e-commerce site is secure, protect customers, maintain their reputation, and comply with regulations.
In this blog, we will share five tips to help you know if your e-commerce site is secure, and how to improve it if needed. These tips are based on industry standards and best practices.
Choose a secure web host and eCommerce platform
The foundation of a secure e-commerce site starts with the infrastructure and software used to host and manage it. You should choose a reputable web host with robust security features such as SSL/TLS encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, backups, and updates.
When choosing an e-commerce platform, it’s important to pick one with a strong history of security and compliance. Additionally, the platform should offer security extensions, plugins, or APIs to bolster your site’s protection. Examples of secure web hosts and e-commerce platforms include AWS, Google Cloud, Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
Perform regular SQL checks
Structured Query Language (SQL) is a programming language used to manage databases and extract information from them. SQL injections are a type of cyber attack that exploits vulnerabilities in web applications that use SQL to interact with their databases. An attacker can inject malicious code into SQL statements to manipulate, steal, or delete data. Performing routine checks on your SQL database queries is crucial in preventing SQL injections. You can use tools such as SQLMap, Havij, or OWASP ZAP to automate SQL testing and reporting.
Leave payment and data processing to the experts
One of the most sensitive aspects of e-commerce security is payment and data processing. As a website owner, you should never attempt to handle credit card information, bank account details, or other personal data by yourself. This may expose you and your customers to legal liabilities and breaches. Instead, you should rely on trusted payment gateways and processors that comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and other relevant regulations. Popular payment gateways include PayPal, Paytm, Razorpay, etc.
Keep your website updated
Another way to improve your website’s security is to keep it up to date with the latest software patches and security fixes. Cybercriminals are constantly seeking new vulnerabilities and exploit to hack into websites, and software vendors are releasing updates to patch them. If you don’t apply these updates on time, your site may become vulnerable to known attacks that can bypass your defenses. Therefore, regularly check for updates in your web host, e-commerce platform, plugins, themes, and other components, and install them as soon as possible. You can also use vulnerability scanners such as Nessus, OpenVAS, or Qualys to identify missing patches and vulnerabilities.
Monitor what you download and integrate
Last but not least, you should be careful about what you download and integrate into your e-commerce site, as third-party software can pose risks if not properly vetted and tested. Plugins, themes, scripts, and other extensions can introduce security flaws, compatibility issues, and performance.
