Ecommerce Security: How To Avoid Cyberattacks

Ecommerce security isn't just another feature; it forms the foundation of trust between a business and its customers. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, merchants need a platform that keeps both them and their customers safe.  

According to a 2022 study by Visa, almost 75% of all fraud and data breach cases investigated by Visa involved ecommerce companies. A good ecommerce platform understands these threats and  offers robust security measures to safeguard transactions and personal data. 

In this guide, we'll cover: 

• Different types of cybersecurity threats. 
• How you can safeguard against cybersecurity threats. 
• How ShopWired safeguards you and your customers against security threats.

Understanding Cyberattacks

A cyberattack refers to an attempt to steal, edit, leak, disable or sabotage information via unauthorized access to computer systems. Cyberattacks come in many forms, so it's important to understand the differences. Here are some of the most common types of cyberattack. 

SQL Injection

An SQL Injection is where an attacker uses a piece of SQL (structured query language) code to manipulate a database and gain access to sensitive information. 

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

XSS attacks inject malicious scripts into otherwise trusted websites. Unsuspecting customers might then interact with the page, and the script could execute unwanted actions. For example, such scripts might capture keystrokes to steal login credentials or redirect users to fraudulent websites.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

DDoS attacks overwhelm a website with traffic from multiple sources. This makes the website inaccessible to legitimate users and potentially disrupts business operations.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

Man-in-the-middle attacks happen when hackers eavesdrop on a conversation or data transfer between two people. For example, when a customer is buying something online, the hacker could capture the credit card details as they're being sent to the store.

Brute Force Attacks

Brute force attacks involve trial-and-error methods to decode encrypted data such as passwords, log-incredentials, and security pins. This method relentlessly attempts various combinations until the correct key is found.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks deceive individuals into revealing personal details by imitating credible sources. For example, customers could be misled by an email or message that seems to come from a real ecommerce platform, prompting them to share their login information or card details. Phishing is the most common form of cyberattack, with an estimated 3.4 billion spam emails sent each day. 

How You Can Safeguard Against Cyberthreats

As an ecommerce merchant, your vigilance is the first line of defense against cyberthreats. Being strategic and proactive can significantly enhance the security of your online store.

Let’s explore how you can safeguard against cyberthreats. 

1. Password Strength

Creating strong passwords is crucial for keeping your online store secure. Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, and make sure to change them regularly. Avoid predictable patterns and simple words that are easily cracked. For added security and efficiency, a reliable password manager can help generate and keep track of unique passwords.

2. Software Updates

Make sure that your ecommerce platform, plugins, and any third-party apps are always running the latest versions. These updates often contain fixes for security flaws, making them an essential part of your site's defense strategy. If your ecommerce platform does not automatically update, remember to check for software updates and have your staff do the same. 

3. Staff Training on Cybersecurity

Educating your team about the risks of cyberthreats is just as important as any technological safeguard. Regular training sessions help staff members recognize suspicious emails, behavior or requests. This knowledge is vital because a well-informed team member is far less likely to compromise your store’s security.

4. Use A Secure Network

It’s never been easier to load up the laptop and work from anywhere. But it’s essential to ensure that any connection to your ecommerce platform is secure. If you’re using a public Wi-Fi connection, use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and protect your data from potential interception. This step is crucial for safeguarding your business and customer information as it flows through your network.

5. Routine Website Security Checks

A clean website is a more secure website. It’s wise to minimize the number of third-party services and plugins to those that are absolutely necessary. Each third-party plugin could potentially open a door to attackers. Make sure that any plugins you do use are from reputable developers and that they receive frequent security updates. 

6. Choose a Secure Ecommerce Platform

Selecting an ecommerce platform with a strong emphasis on security is paramount. Look for platforms that offer robust data encryption, are compliant with international security standards like PCI DSS, and provide secure payment gateways. You should also opt for a platform that has a track record of reliability and responsive customer support.

Let’s take a closer look at how ShopWired strives to safeguard the ecommerce experience to shield both customers and merchants from cyberthreats.

How Does ShopWired Safeguard Against Cyberthreats?

1. PCI DSS Compliance

For online retailers the security of customer transactions is paramount. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is the benchmark of card payment security. PCI DSS ensures a secure environment for processing, storing, or transmitting credit card information. 

ShopWired meets Level 1 PCI Compliance, the most stringent level available, to secure our merchants' and their customers' transactional data. Through a combination of rigorous firewall protections hosted on the reliable infrastructure of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and stringent encryption protocols, ShopWired goes above and beyond to guard against data breaches from the point of sale to the final transaction processing.

2. SSL Encryption

ShopWired provides SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption across all customer interactions. Whether it’s customer login details, payment information, or just browsing history, every bit of data is encrypted.

Our SSL certificates are high-grade 256-bit encryption certificates. This level of encryption is akin to what banks use to safeguard sensitive information. When your customers see that padlock icon in their browser’s address bar on your ShopWired store, they know their information is secure. It’s these visual cues that build the trust essential to ecommerce success.

3. 3D Secure and PSD2 Regulations

3D Secure (3DS) is an essential online fraud prevention measure that adds an additional security layer when accepting card payments. This protocol requires customers to complete an extra authentication step beyond entering card details, such as verification codes via SMS or internet banking authentication. 

These additional authentication steps ensure ShopWired’s compliance with Payment Services Directive (PSD2) regulations, which the European Commission created for a safer European payments architecture. This European law governs payment systems in the European Union (EU) by regulating access to payment data by other parties than your bank.

4. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

ShopWired is fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a comprehensive data protection law in the EU. This regulation mandates the protection and lawful processing of personal data. ShopWired ensures that all personal data is handled with the highest level of security and only used for authorized purposes, giving customers the right to access, correct, delete, or transfer their data upon request.

This also applies to businesses that exist outside the EU but sell to Europeans as well.

You can check out ShopWired's GDPR guides here: GDPR Guidance and GDPR Features.

5. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants California residents new rights regarding their personal information. ShopWired aligns with CCPA by offering transparency and control over personal information and customer data. 

6. Monitoring for New Threats

ShopWired carries out regular scans to look for any potential new vulnerabilities. Our platform is coded to OWASP standards and all data is hosted with Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

7. Customer Support and Response 

ShopWired's top-rated support team are there to help in the unlikely event that something should go wrong. In the event of a security incident, ShopWired's protocol involves immediate assessment, swift containment, and thorough investigation, followed by recovery steps to minimize impact. 

Steps Towards Ecommerce Safety

This guide has shared tips to help online stores stay safe from cyberthreats. We've covered:

• What typical cyberthreats look like.
• How you can help avoid cyberattacks. 
• How an ecommerce platform like ShopWired helps by meeting safety regulations, safeguarding sensitive information and monitoring for new threats. 

With these steps, online stores can fight off cyberthreats and retain their customers' trust.

Try ShopWired for Free

Want to experience ShopWired's robust security features for yourself? 

Try ShopWired today with a 14-day free trial! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ShopWired PCI compliant?

Absolutely, ShopWired meets the PCI standards, maintaining Level 1 compliance.

Does hosting my website on ShopWired make it PCI compliant?

Hosting your website on ShopWired ensures it is PCI compliant, as all sites on the platform are automatically configured to meet these standards.

What measures does ShopWired take to ensure platform security?

ShopWired conducts consistent vulnerability scans to fortify the platform. Coding conforms to the OWASP guidelines, and the secure hosting environment is provided by Amazon Web Services.

Do I need an SSL certificate for my website?

SSL certificates are essential, and ShopWired supplies them to all users, critical for sites processing payments internally or using integrated services like Google Shopping.

Can I access ShopWired's PCI compliance documentation?

ShopWired's PCI Compliance Attestation is available upon request via email to the support team.

How can I make sure my website and its data remain secure?

To augment the security provided by ShopWired, regularly update your account password and use a dedicated email for ShopWired access. Securely store any customer data, utilize encryption for removable storage, conduct regular malware scans, and use computers exclusively for business purposes. Know the protocol for a data breach to ensure you handle customer data with the utmost responsibility