It is no secret that eCommerce websites are a target for cybercriminals. In fact, according to a report by Veracode, 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses. Small online stores are often seen as an easy target, since hackers assume that these websites are created with little to no prior security knowledge.

That being said, business owners can take steps to boost their eCommerce website and defend themselves from cyber attacks. Here are some essential tips:

• Use a secure platform: when it comes to eCommerce platforms, you have many companies that provide you with website features that you can incorporate. The most popular companies in the eCommerce industry today include: Wix, Shopify, BigCommerce, and more. While each website builder has its own advantages, we recommend using a platform that incorporates enterprise-grade security for your eCommerce website. Wix for instance provides its users with a high quality security framework that abides by the NIST standards, which include real-time threat detection and rapid response tools. Incorporating these security features as a part of their platform takes the responsibility out of the user’s hands.
• Connect to a secure eCommerce and POS: make sure your eCommerce website is connected to a trusted platform and that your point of sale (POS) is also secure, leaving your website and users’ payment information less likely to be hacked.
• Use SSL: SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol that provides website security for data that is transmitted over the internet. When you have an SSL certificate installed on your website, all data transmitted between your website and your visitors’ browsers are encrypted. This makes it much more difficult for cybercriminals to intercept and steal data. SSL certificates add an extra layer of trust between the platform and users.
• Keep your software up to date: it is necessary to keep all the software on your website up to date, especially when creating an eCommerce website, payment gateway, and POS. Outdated software may contain significant security flaws and data breaches that hackers may use to access your website. On open source platforms like WordPress, it is something that users have to manually maintain via plugins and constantly track for updates, rather than other platforms that automatically update these softwares for their users’ sites.
• Use a secure payment gateway: you should always use a secure payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe for payments on your eCommerce website. This will ensure that your customers’ payment information is encrypted and more secure, thus ensuring that you or your users are not liable for any fraudulent charges.

How to Prevent Hacking:

E-commerce websites are especially vulnerable to hacking because they often store customers’ credit card information. That’s why it’s essential to learn how to prevent hacking, so you can keep your online E-commerce business safe. Some website builders provide their users with an all inclusive security updates software that maintains these security features automatically. However, here are a few things you should be sure stays optimized for maximum security on your online store:

• Install security plugins: WordPress has several security plugins that can help to protect your websites, such as Wordfence and Sucuri.
• Encourage creating a strong password: When potential customers create an account for use on your website, encourage them to use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. They should avoid using dictionary words or easily guessed phrases, as these can be easily hacked.
• Backup your website regularly: if your website is hacked, you’ll want to have a backup so you can quickly restore it. We recommend backing up your website at least once a week.
• Stay up to date: make sure you’re using the latest version of your eCommerce platform and all the plugins and themes on your website. Outdated software can be full of security vulnerabilities, which hackers can exploit.
• Monitor your website’s performance: Track your website’s uptime and performance in order for your site to stay aligned with Core Web Vitals. You can also download tools that will alert you if your website goes down or is slow to load.
• Prepare real-time response to attacks: Even if you take all the necessary precautions, there’s always a chance hackers could attack you or users on your website. That’s why it’s important to have a plan for quickly responding to any attacks. This should include having a team of people responsible for monitoring the website, spotting potential threats, and responding to attacks the moment they take place.

Types of Cyber Attacks:

Hackers can carry out many different types of cyber attacks against eCommerce websites. Some of the most common include:

• SQL injection: This type of attack allows hackers to insert malicious code into your database, which they can then use to access sensitive information or take control of your website.
• Cross-site scripting (XSS): These types of cyber attacks allow hackers to inject malicious code into your website, which unsuspecting visitors then execute. Cookies, for example, can help a hacker steal personal information or hijack the visitor’s session.
• Denial of service (DoS): This attack can overwhelm your server with traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users. This can take your website offline or prevent customers from accessing your online store.
• Phishing: This type of attack involves hackers sending spoofed emails or creating fake websites that mimic your own to trick people into entering their personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.
>Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks: This type of attack allows hackers to intercept communication between you and your customers. Hackers can use this to steal sensitive information or hijack the session.
• Malware: This is any malicious software that can be used to damage your website or steal information, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans.

Checking Cybersecurity from the Consumers’ End:

When potential customers are looking for a new eCommerce platform to use for online shopping, it’s best to research and ensure website security against potential cyber-attacks. Here are a few things to look for:

• Look for a platform that offers secure hosting: this is one of the most important things to look for when choosing an eCommerce platform. Secure hosting will help protect your website from DDoS attacks and other cyber threats.
• Check the platform’s security features: ensure the platform you’re using has all the necessary security features, such as SSL encryption and fraud detection.
• Read online reviews: Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, read online reviews of the platforms you’re considering. This can give you insights into its customer service and how well they handle security issues.

Cyber attacks are becoming more and more common, and eCommerce websites are especially targeted by hackers. That is why it’s critical to safeguard your website. By following the tips in this article, you can help keep your website safe from hackers.

Source: Plato Data Intelligence: PlatoData.io