Hacked eCommerce Platforms: How to Protect Your Business

Different types of criminal activities happen in the e-commerce world.

Unfortunately, cyber-attacks have been on the rise for as long as there’s been an internet. Although security measures are becoming more and more advanced, we could say the same about hacking techniques. Most hackers do it to steal valuable information, while others do it solely to wreak havoc. But either way, everyone in the right mind would rather avoid losing thousands of dollars due to weak security, rather than deal with the damage hackers tend to make. If a hacker steals your data, your reputation as a trustworthy company is going to lose traction and lead you toward losing customers. With that being said, security should become your top priority.

Make sure you use the right hosting

Finding a suitable web host is the first step towards building a highly-secured website. When it comes to choosing a hosting company, it's vital to know that some web hosts are designed for businesses, while others are more general.
The former model provides much more security. If you get a fast and reliable dedicated hosting plan, your website will be more secured. Having a dedicated server for your business only will provide an extra layer of security, since shared users can lead to security ruptures.

Find the best platform

There are countless e-commerce platforms that you can choose from, but you need to choose wisely. Although many of them are very beneficial for the growth of your business, some of them are more secure than others. Choose a platform that has strong security credentials.
The platform must offer many different security tools to its users. That way, you'll be able to create a password that has to be entered by anyone who has access to your platform. By changing the password regularly, you're lowering the chances of the password being stolen.

All the passwords should be strong

One of the greatest mistakes a site owner can make is creating a weak password for their website. Do not use familiar dates or pet names as your password. Instead, find software that creates complicated passwords to combat brute force attacks.
Do not write your password down and make sure to change it now and then- preferably once a month.

Encrypt your data

Encryption is important because it allows you to securely protect data no one else should have access to. Encryption will protect your data, and although it isn't always impenetrable, it's a major hindrance for hackers.
You have to use SSL certificates to protect financial information because that's the best way to make sure your data is readable by the recipient alone.

Get rid of the unnecessary data

Many website owners tend to store their data even if they don't need it. Keeping unnecessary data is a bad practice because it only creates a target for potential hackers.
Never store credit card information on your server. Only keep the information required to process a refund, but make sure to clear that information every once in a while. Always verify CVV2 codes and addresses for all online purchases. That way, you'll add another layer of protection to your data.

Strong firewalls

Firewalls are important because they identify and block any unwanted content. They will protect you against viruses, and alert you if something suspicious is occurring on your network. Your firewall has to be strong and up to date, so make sure to configure it correctly.

Set limits

Sometimes is hard to double-check every sale that goes through your website. During those days, a random fraudulent purchase might slip through and create a mess. Luckily, many e-commerce platforms allow for setting limits on purchases during a certain time frame.
Set a limit per day per customer, and your website will stop the transaction if it goes over the limit. That way, you'll have extra time to check every transaction. Keep it high enough for consumers to shop without issues, so you don’t lose them.

Stay updated

You have to keep your website updated to avoid a cyber attack. New updates are being constantly released, so make sure to keep the website up-to-date.
New updates include new technologies and system optimization. If you don't know how to update your website, hire someone to complete the task instead. It will save you time and potential security issues.

Find professional help

Sometimes it's better to let the professionals do the necessary work. Your website should be designed to be easily accessible and secure. No matter how small or big your business is, you need to have a well-designed website.
There’s no shortage of businesses that specialize in professional web design in Sydney, so you shouldn’t have issues with finding a good designer to keep your website safe. Hiring an agency to design and create your website can prove to be very beneficial. Your website will be up-to-date and it's going to be much easier for you to add new layers of security once it's complete.

Backup your data

Backing up your data protects you from losing your data after a power outage, or virus attack. It should be a standard practice that you regularly back up all data.
You can do it on your own or hire a hosting company. Either way, it's important to do it regularly, at least once a month. Store all your data on a CD drive, never on the cloud.

Conclusion

You need to put a lot of effort into securing your website. However, once you reach the highest level of security possible for your website, it's crucial to hire someone to perform penetration testing. An expert is going to try to attack your website to see whether they'd able to gain access to your customer information. If they manage to collect your data, you'll have to invest more time and money in security improvement. Whatever the outcome may be, try to approach the situation with caution and make sure to hire someone if you're not sure whether you'd be able to secure your website all by yourself.