Buyers also like having millions of goods at their fingertips and the chance to browse while sitting on their comfortable couches! According to Statista, e-commerce revenues are predicted to reach $4.5 trillion by 2023.
But when something is adored by the entire globe, it attracts undesirable attention as well. According to Cybersecurity Ventures’ Annual Cybercrime Report (ACR), cybercrime losses are expected to cost organizations $6 trillion per year.
1) Selecting the Best Hosting Service
When you’re working with a limited budget, it’s tempting to go with the lowest hosting package available. Many company owners believe that all hosting companies are the same. Unfortunately, such impression is incorrect. Website security, speed, SEO, and traffic handling capacity are all significantly reliant on your hosting environment.
When choosing a hosting plan, make sure to look into the security measures they use to secure their clients’ websites. Do they offer up-to-date server software, DDoS attack protection, hack protection, automated backups, daily virus scans, spam prevention, and email protection?
2) Update Your Software Frequently
Outdated software is one of the most typical causes of security breaches. Fortunately, there is a simple solution.
If you use WordPress for your eCommerce store, be sure to update all components, including WordPress software, plugins, themes, and so on, as soon as an update is released. Even if it’s not a WordPress site, you’ll need to monitor updates. Whether it’s a web server or third-party programming such as Java, Python, Perl, WordPress, or Joomla, once a new version is available, install it right away.
Updates are issued for a cause. After a manufacturer’s software team has fixed vulnerability in prior versions, the new version is frequently released. If you do not upgrade, hackers will be able to simply exploit the system’s security weaknesses.
3) Make use of a Web Application Firewall
A properly set firewall is an essential component of any website security strategy, providing a strong protection against attacks such as distributed denial of service (DDoS), SQL injection, and cross-site request forgery. Firewalls constantly monitor and prevent any suspicious traffic or requests (before they reach your website). The best part is that website firewall plugins and software are reasonably priced for small enterprises.
4) Make Strong Passwords Required
To finish the checkout process, most eCommerce websites need customers to create an account. It’s a smart technique for tracking client purchasing habits and establishing future marketing plans, as well as making future transactions more convenient for the customer. If you have a large number of users with accounts on your website — workers, vendors, distributors, authors, co-admins, and so on — and any of them has a weak password, their account becomes an easy target for a brute force assault.
5) Turn on two-factor authentication
Most financial institutions provide two-factor verification or two-factor authentication to their customers (2FA). Users must pass through an additional layer of protection in addition to their regular passwords while doing financial transactions. Sending a security code or one-time password (OTP) to a user’s cell phone is the most common two-factor authentication technique. The user must then provide this verification code in order to continue with their purchase.
6) Follow PCI Compliance Standards
Obtaining and maintaining Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance is critical for every firm that takes credit/debit card payments, no matter how large or small. The PCI self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) manual contains a list of several standards that must be met in order to obtain PCI accreditation and can assist you in identifying any gaps in your company’s payment security.
7) Setup an SSL Certificate
PCI compliance requires the installation of an SSL certificate. The following are the benefits of a Comodo SSL certificate:
Verifies the website owner’s identity (for OV and EV certificates). This step aids in the prevention of users becoming victims of phishing attempts.
The connection between a user’s browser and a website is encrypted (server).
Enables HTTPS and displays a padlock icon in the address bar in front of a domain name.
Raises your site’s profile in Google’s search results.
In the uncommon case of encryption failure, it provides a warranty that functions similarly to insurance.
Provides a static or dynamic site seal, which is a tiny graphic that appears on all encrypted pages. Site seals serve as a visual sign of trust, while dynamic site seals give extra information about the website.
8) Customers’ sensitive information should not be stored
Some eCommerce companies strive to collect as much user information as possible in order to study consumer behavior and demographics in order to make more informed marketing decisions. Some online retailers additionally allow consumers to keep their credit/debit card numbers, CVV codes, and other associated data to their accounts in order to create a more user-friendly checkout experience.
9) Maintain Regular Data Backups
Even if your website is safe, you must have a functional and proven disaster recovery plan (DRP) in place. Making ensuring your hosting business automates data backups is part of this approach. You should also backup your data on a regular basis.
Not only are hacking events dangerous, but so are viruses, human mistake, system failures, and natural calamities. As a result, always keep current backups in several geographic locations.
10) Educate Your Employees on Data Security
Also Refer:- The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Hosting Provider
Educate your workers on data protection regulations such as avoiding providing important client information via chat or email, as well as how to avoid phishing attempts. You should hold regular security training sessions to ensure that they are aware of your organization’s security rules and regulations, key cyber security best practices, and how to identify and respond to online threats so that they do not click on or open anything suspicious from your company’s devices. You should also obtain a written copy of the company’s data security policy.