As online shopping grows, so do the risks. With thousands of transactions and sensitive customer data processed daily, e-commerce businesses face constant threats. More than 60% of small businesses shut down within six months of a cyberattack, highlighting the real financial and reputational damage.
Without strong security measures in place, your store could fall victim to data breaches, payment fraud, or ransomware – leading to legal trouble, financial losses, and a sharp decline in customer trust.
E-commerce security is about proactively defending your business against online security threats. In this article, we share 10 key strategies to help you protect your customers, secure transactions, and keep your business running safely.
Common e-commerce threats
The most common security threats targeting e-commerce businesses include:
- Phishing attacks: Cybercriminals trick customers or employees into sharing sensitive information through fake emails, websites, or messages.
- Malware and ransomware: Hackers deploy malicious software to steal data or shut down website operations.
- SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS): Attackers manipulate website code to gain unauthorized access and steal information.
- DDoS attacks: Hackers flood a website with excessive traffic to crash it and disrupt business operations.
- Payment fraud: Fraudsters use stolen credit card data to make unauthorized purchases.
10 tips to improve e-commerce security
1. Use an SSL certificate
SSL certificates encrypt the data transmitted between your website and users, preventing hackers from intercepting sensitive information like passwords and payment details. If your store still does not use one or uses a free SSL, it’s time to upgrade.
All e-commerce websites need at least an OV certificate, which is designed to protect vulnerable data that customers enter into your website, including usernames, passwords, and payment information. Free SSL certificates do not offer this level of protection.
OV SSL certificates are available from reputable providers, such as Openprovider. You can register them for up to five years in advance.
How to implement:
- Get an SSL certificate from a trusted provider or your hosting service.
- Regularly check SSL certificates for expiration and renew them on time.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Even strong passwords can be stolen. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, such as a code sent to a mobile device or email.
How to implement:
- Set 2FA as the standard for both admin logins and customer accounts
- Use authentication apps like Google Authenticator or Authy instead of SMS-based codes, which can be vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks.
- Consider biometric authentication for mobile app logins.
3. Keep software and plugins updated
Cybercriminals often exploit outdated software to gain unauthorized access to e-commerce websites and platforms. Make sure to update your system whenever there’s a new update or security patch available. Failing to update leaves your store vulnerable.
How to implement:
- Enable automatic updates where possible.
- Regularly check for updates on your e-commerce platform (e.g., Magento, WooCommerce, Shopify) and/or content management system (e.g. WordPress, Squarespace, Wix).
- Remove outdated or unused plugins, as they can become entry points for hackers.
4. Use strong passwords and enforce policies
Weak passwords are a major security risk. Attackers use brute-force methods to guess login credentials. Strengthening password policies helps prevent unauthorized access.
How to implement:
- Require strong passwords for both admin logins and customer accounts, including at least 12 characters and a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Prevent users and employees from reusing old passwords.
- Implement a password manager for employees to store and manage complex passwords securely.
- Lock accounts after multiple failed login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks.
5. Limit access to sensitive data
The more people have access to sensitive information, the greater the risk of accidental leaks or insider threats. If your business has multiple employees, it’s important to be careful with your admin privileges.
How to implement:
- Grant permissions only to those who need them.
- Regularly audit user accounts and remove unnecessary access.
- Require employees to use company-managed devices for admin access to reduce exposure to malware.
6. Monitor transactions for fraud
E-commerce fraud can include chargeback fraud, card testing, and unauthorized purchases. Monitoring transaction patterns helps detect suspicious activity early.
How to implement:
- Use automated fraud detection tools that flag high-risk transactions.
- Set transaction limits and require verification for large purchases.
- Implement address verification systems (AVS) and card security codes (CVV) to prevent stolen card use.
7. Perform regular security audits
Security vulnerabilities aren’t always immediately visible. A proactive approach to security includes regular assessments to identify weak points before they can be exploited.
How to implement:
- Conduct vulnerability scans using tools like Nessus or OpenVAS.
- Consider hiring ethical hackers for penetration testing to uncover hidden risks.
- Implement security.txt on your website.
- Regularly review your website logs for signs of suspicious activity.
8. Backup data frequently
Ransomware attacks can lock you out of your data, and server crashes can result in lost orders. Regular, automated backups help you recover quickly.
How to implement:
- Automate daily backups of customer data, transaction history, and website files.
- Store backups in multiple locations, including offsite or cloud-based storage.
- Test backups periodically to ensure they can be restored if needed.
9. Educate employees and customers
Cybersecurity awareness is one of the most effective defenses against threats. Many breaches result from human error, such as clicking on phishing links or using weak passwords.
How to implement:
- Train employees to recognize phishing emails and social engineering tactics.
- Encourage a security-friendly culture within your organization.
- Create content about security best practices for your website and social media accounts, such as how to spot fake emails claiming to be from your store.
10. Use a secure payment gateway
Handling payments securely is a top priority. Using a PCI DSS-compliant payment gateway reduces your risk of fraud and keeps customer data safe.
How to implement:
- Work with reputable payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, or Adyen.
- Avoid storing credit card information on your own servers.
- Use tokenization to replace sensitive payment data with unique identifiers that are useless to hackers.
Conclusion
By applying these 10 security measures, you can protect your e-commerce business from cyber threats, fraud, and data breaches while maintaining customer trust.
Taking proactive steps today will help keep your online store safe and your customers confident in their transactions.
Want to know more about cybersecurity? Check our cybersecurity hub for the latest security news, plus practical tools and insights to protect your business from cybercrime!
