How To Secure Your Magento-Based eCommerce Site?

The Magento platform accounts for 12% of all global eCommerce stores. More than 250,000 active websites currently run on Magento. But the threat of hackers targeting these websites looms large. For instance, in 2022, Magento-powered eCommerce stores were targeted by attackers due to a major mail template vulnerability.

Image: Security Affairs

Similarly, in 2020, more than 500 Magento stores were targeted by a payment skimmer attack. For these reasons, as a Magento-enabled store owner, you must prioritize the security of your eCommerce website to keep your online business up and running. This is not to suggest that Magento does not come with its share of built-in security features.

The good news is that you can take concrete steps and adhere to specific practices to secure your Magento store from potential hacks and data losses. In this blog, we shall lay down the tips, tricks, and best practices to secure your Magento-based eCommerce site.

Common Security Threats to Magento Websites

According to a report, 62% of Magento stores have at least one security vulnerability. 14% of Magento stores have over 4 security issues. Most of the successful Magento cyberattacks occur when hackers exploit these vulnerabilities. While there are different types of threats, here are the 4 most common ones for Magento-powered websites:

1. XSS Attacks

Short for cross-site scripting, XSS attacks occur when hackers inject malicious code into Magento eCommerce websites. XSS attacks primarily aim to steal sensitive information like credit card numbers or make unauthorized purchases in the store.

2. Website Defacement

Website defacement is another common threat used to “deface or ruin” the eCommerce website or app through the homepage. Hackers can also post “hateful” messages on the website. This attack occurs when website owners do not install a security patch to prevent remote code execution.

3. Brute Force Attacks

A brute force attack is a common threat where hackers try to gain unauthorized login access by guessing the user’s credentials. Typically, hackers use automated bots to guess the username-password combination through repeated login attempts.

4. Credit Card Hijacking

Also known as card skimming, credit card hijacking can tap into your payment-related data during the checkout process. In this attack, hackers exploit software vulnerabilities to inject malicious code into the checkout system.

Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices for Magento Security

The 2021 IBM report reveals that the average cost of a successful data breach is around $4.45 million globally. But apart from the economic impact, a compromised Magento store can damage your brand reputation and turn over your loyal customers to your closest competitor.

Here are some of the best tips, tricks, and practices to keep your Magento store safe and secure:

1. Upgrade Your Store to the Latest Magento Version

Hackers commonly look for online stores running on previous versions of Magento. Outdated websites make it easier for them to find security-related vulnerabilities to exploit.

As a best practice, run your online store on the latest Magento version. As a part of Magento support, developers can locate a vulnerability or security issue and release a security patch (with the fix) for their customers.

2. Use Only Strong Passwords

To prevent brute force attacks, the easiest trick is to configure usernames with strong passwords. A strong password constitutes a combination of special characters, alphabets, and numbers and is at least 12 characters in length. This makes it difficult for harmful bots to correctly guess your password.

Additionally, here are some tips to secure your password:

• Change the password regularly
• Store the passwords in a secure password manager tool
• Use both lower-case and upper-case alphabets in the password
• Don’t save the password on the computer or mobile phone

3. Install an SSL Certificate

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate is the industry-accepted method of securing any website (including Magento stores). An SSL-enabled eCommerce store encrypts all sensitive information like credit card numbers and user credentials. This is critical to prevent data breaches and identify thefts.

4. Install Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)

WAFs are effective at monitoring your website traffic and blocking unauthorized requests. As the last line of defense from cyber threats, firewalls can block suspicious requests before they hit your Magento eCommerce website. WAFs are widely effective at preventing data breaches.

5. Use Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (or 2FA) is a common practice used to secure login pages from unauthorized entry. In addition to the correct password, users are required to enter a unique verification code (or one-time password) sent to their device.

Additionally, a 2FA extension on Magento only allows trusted users (or devices) to access the website’s backend system.

Redefine Magento Store Security with Ignitiv

With the best practices and tips listed above, you can improve the overall security of your Magento store. However, as cyberattacks grow more complex and sophisticated, you will require the expertise of a qualified Magento partner.

This is where a certified Magento development agency like Ignitiv can make a significant difference. As a Magento consultant, our team of experts can recommend the best security practices to keep your store protected from hackers.

With our Magento development and customization services, we can also help you grow your eCommerce business to the next level. Interested in knowing more about our Magento services? Book a call today!