Essential security measures for e-commerce websites
Online platforms have indeed become the most sought-after targets for cyber criminals because they contain confidential and sensitive data of the customers ranging from payment to personal information, which could be used for unauthorized access. Consequently, the security of transactions must be nailed down to maintain the eCommerce solutions’ quality trust and smooth transaction processes. Whether you are using eCommerce hosting UK solutions or any other platform, security precautions must be with you to defend your business as well as your customers. Here are some security tips particularly for eCommerce websites to help protect your store from various threats. Using a trusted UK web hosting service allows you to ensure your store’s robust security with a safe shopping experience for your customers.
Essential eCommerce Security Checklist
Having realized the importance of eCommerce security, let’s look at the 8 proven security measures you can use to protect your online store from various cyber threats.
1. Choose A Secure Ecommerce Web Host
One of the major steps in securing your eCommerce store is having a sound, reliable, and reputable web host. An eCommerce platform will provide end-to-end services necessary for selling online, going from listing products to checkout functionality.
On the other side, the web host keeps files of your website/(s), database, and content, serving it to visitors when they will be typing your web address. If people are familiar with the most widely used B2B and B2C eCommerce platforms, there should be no doubt that WooCommerce is an exemplary plugin. It may be installed practically on any WordPress website, or you may receive it already pre-installed from some hosting providers.
2. Prevent Malicious Threats
Honestly, with a sheer number of forms of eCommerce fraud, any chargeback fraud is among the primary activities that you might encounter. In which, after order placement, the customer invokes the bank to reverse the transaction after receiving the order.
Some common red flags signaling chargeback fraud are an abnormal volume of orders and a high volume of orders from a single customer. Full-time solutions include installing some tools like WooCommerce Anti-Fraud applications for consumer fraud prevention. Requiring signatures on delivery is yet another technique that prevents eCommerce fraud; proof of receipt can demonstrate that received orders have been duly received.
3. Continuous Malware Scanning
Malware is one of the major threats to eCommerce and has even proven itself hard to prevent through different exploitations on your website like SQL injections.
Luckily enough-you can install a great vulnerability scanner or even the best-dedicated malware scanner to curtail the risk, for example, Jetpack Scan. This tool will view your website 24/7 and block any request from unauthorized sources.
4. Opt For A Secure Payment Gateway
Every website that conducts business and accepts online payments involves a payment gateway as that is the only way to facilitate online transactions. A good payment gateway should therefore offer the same high-grade defense mechanisms that help put your customers at ease with such transactions.
When choosing a payment gateway, consider how the end-users, i.e. clients, are catered for when it comes to privacy protection in terms of things like credit card information. There are some payment gateways, for instance, which give website security enhancements in addition to advanced fraud protection.
5. Stop Brute Force Attacks
Brute force attack – very much as the name suggests- behaves this way. In this attack, bad actors will directly break right into your website. The hackers usually use a process involving trial and error method where they attempt specific combinations of usernames and passwords until they ultimately gain entry into your website without being authorized.
Since this is one kind of a security risk centered around cyber criminals guessing the login credentials; perhaps the best way to prevent it is to use and enforce strong passwords on your website. However, there is another great way to ensure protection against brute force attacks, which is enabling Jetpack.
Thus, it is possible to prevent unwanted login attempts so that you may stop hackers from accessing your website before it is too late. You are also allowed to have IP addresses in whitelist mode to further minimize the chances of a false positive.
6. Deploy A Valid SSL Certificate
The websites that then carry out payments through the internet should have an SSL certificate, which is basically an encryption protocol that tends to make sensitive details like customer information difficult to intercept and steal.
When you have an SSL, the URL would actually change from HTTP to HTTPS. Therefore, in case you are doubtful about whether or not you have a valid certificate, you can just go to your website using any browser and check the address bar.
When you see “https” at the front end of the URL, it means that an SSL has already been installed for an encrypted connection. A lock icon is also visible in the address bar beside your domain name.
If you don’t possess a valid SSL certificate, perhaps it is time for you to consult your web host regarding installation, as most web hosts offer it as part of their packages.
7. Obtain PCI Compliance
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) elaborates additional guidelines and rules upon which an eCommerce website should orient itself in ensuring the safe handling and storage of card payment data. Among its various impacts on the operations of an eCommerce website, PCI compliance can significantly help avoid Ecommerce fraud.
It’s not just that PCI benefits businesses. Should there be an incident of negative publicity surrounding one’s website due to a serious breach and imposed penalties by the government, the company can win at least some favor (and even smaller fines) for having followed industry best practices before the breach.
8. Implement Web Application Firewalls
One of the best ways to secure your eCommerce store is to get a web application firewall. It just sits in between the traffic coming into your web server and refuses entry to any IP addresses that look suspicious. It’s like prevention in action. Several web hosting companies offer WAFs along with hosting.
Conclusion
For an increase in customer trust resulting in more sales, ensure customer information as well as general eCommerce security. This would also help your online store stay secure against online threats.
Thus, investing in a comprehensive checklist of eCommerce security would be worthwhile. Don’t give hackers the chance to destroy your eCommerce store. It is best to employ excellent security measures provided by MilesWeb’s best eCommerce hosting to protect your online store.
With this, you can set up malware scans and brute force protection, as well as authenticate customer logins. Plus, you’re able to make daily backups of your website in order to quickly restore your customer information and content in the event of a security breach.
Have an idea? Start an online business using MilesWeb today.
