If you’re running an eCommerce business, there are a few things you need to do to make sure that you don’t get hacked or lose your data. There are different considerations for an online business versus a brick-and-mortar but keeping everything running smoothly requires some of the same principles.
For example, you should have at least one backup of your website’s database stored offsite from your primary location. Also, it’s important to keep your site updated with all the latest security patches and updates.
In this article, we’ll talk about some more steps that you can take to protect your online store:
Establish a Relationship With a Quality Web Host
The first thing you need to do is establish a relationship with a quality web host. Web hosts are the companies that provide your website’s servers and other technology infrastructure, as well as make sure it runs smoothly.
But why does your eCommerce business need one? Well, because of all the things happening on the web at once, website traffic can easily overwhelm a small-to-medium-sized eCommerce site without sufficient server power.
And since most websites have some kind of online store these days there is always going to be some form of traffic coming in from somewhere.
Also Read: 5 Tips To Be Competitive in eCommerce
Secure Your Website With SSL
SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a protocol that allows you to encrypt and secure your website. SSL encrypts the data that travels between your computer and your web server. This prevents third parties from eavesdropping on the connection.
Additionally, using a third-party security risk management solution can help you determine if your SSL protection is enough for your site or if you need more robust firewall coverage.
Encryption is important because it ensures that any personal information you collect from customers will be protected from hackers and cybercriminals who might try to steal it in order to commit identity theft or other types of fraud.
Additionally, SSL certificates also protect customer credit card numbers from being stolen by hackers who could use them for fraudulent purchases online or elsewhere.
Protect Your Website From Malware Attacks
Malware attacks are the fastest-growing security threat to eCommerce websites. Security experts recommend that you should have a strong anti-malware strategy in place to protect your website and customers from infection by malware.
Malicious code can be injected into your site through vulnerable plugins or applications, or it can be embedded in third-party apps such as ads or images.
Implement Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS)
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), also known as PCI Compliance, is a set of security standards designed to protect credit card information from theft. These requirements include things like security policies and procedures, access control, and vulnerability management.
Companies without the right PCI compliance not only put their customers and clients at risk, but they also put themselves at risk of fines and worse.
Enforce Strong Passwords
The first step in protecting your business is making sure that you’re using strong passwords. Passwords are the first line of defense against hackers, and they’re a crucial part of any security system.
A weak password can be easily guessed by a hacker or decoded with brute force methods like dictionary attacks, which use lists of common words as starting points for trying different combinations until one works.
For this reason, it’s important to use a different password for each site and service you access online—don’t reuse the same username or email address across multiple sites and accounts.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an add-on feature of many eCommerce platforms that adds an extra layer of security to your business.
Two-factor authentication uses a combination of two different types of information—like a password and an authorization code generated by an app on your phone or received via text message—to verify your identity.
The second, additional step helps prevent unauthorized access if someone gets hold of the username and password you’ve chosen for accessing your account. They won’t be able to login unless they also have access to another account or device needed to receive the second level of access.
Also Read: How to Get Started with Ecommerce?
Encrypt Sensitive Data
Encryption is a process that converts data into a form that is unreadable by anyone except the intended recipient. It can be used to protect data from being accessed by others, and it can be performed at multiple layers of the network stack, including at the application and transport layers.
Encrypting data is an important way to ensure that only valid users have access to sensitive information such as credit card details or login credentials.