Magento, the widely used e-commerce platform, comes with reliable built-in security features. Yet, hackers have devised ways to break the security and get access to the vital personal and financial details of the users on the e-commerce stores. This makes it imperative for the seller to take care of these issues and make the store hack-proof. Availing the expertise of an experienced Magento development agency is a good idea as security breaches not only lead to loss of revenues but damage to reputation too. Though there is no established route for making the online stores impenetrable, yet some tactics can be applied to prevent hackers from making them an easy target.
Here are effective steps that can help you strengthen your Magento store:
Have a strong password
Begin by having a strong password for your Magento e-store, which is perhaps the easiest task to do. Use a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters with numbers and special characters for superb security. A periodic change in the password is also recommended. Installing a password vault such as Keypass is a smart idea if you have problems in remembering the passwords.
Use two-factor authentication
Having a secure password is not enough and the store owner has to go an extra mile to avoid online attacks. A two-factor authentication adds an extra security layer for the website and makes it literally inaccessible for unauthorized individuals. Some Magento extensions are available to enable two-factor authentication.
Upgrade the store to the latest stable version
Another measure you can take is to upgrade the site to the latest stable version of the platform. The best way to do this is to avail expert Magento support services to manage and maintain your existing website and give it a makeover every time a new version is released. A site that runs on latest version gets all the latest security features as well as has the bugs and lapses resolved.
Install latest security patches
The platform comes up with security patches from time to time. A newly released Magento security patch should be installed on priority to ensure that the store does not fall prey to a malicious attack. This is one investment that a business owner must not cringe at.
Get encrypted connection with SSL/HTTPS
Using a unencrypted connection poses the risk of data interception which can give hackers an access to the login details. This possibility can be eliminated by using a secure connection that is encrypted with SSL/HTTPS. SSLs are essential to e-commerce transactions for protecting the sensitive financial and personal information of the customers throughout the purchase process. Similarly, making the website PCI compliant can take the measure one step further.
Use a secure FTP too
Another way that your e-store can be hacked is by guessing an FTP password. This can be prevented by using secure FTP passwords and better still, using SFTP (Secured File Transfer Protocol); the latter is protected with a private key file that decrypts or authenticates a user.
Change the default admin URL
Admin user accounts make an easy target for cyber attackers to get a “backdoor entry” to the site. This can be prevented by changing the default admin URL and using a unique one instead. It is better to seek professional guidance while taking this measure.
Have a site backup
While steps are to be taken for strengthening the online store, adequate measures are also necessary to handle things if the worst happens. Having an active backup plan is the solution so that continuity is ensured if the store is hacked. Data loss can be prevented by storing the backup files off-site or having it done by a hosting provider.
Choose a reliable hosting provider
The role of the hosting service provider in keeping a website secure is a crucial one. Ensure that the provider is trusted and reliable by cross-checking the security issues it has come across in the past. The best decision is to opt for a managed Magento hosting platform that offers robust security along with frequent patches at server-level.
Besides taking these measures, it is advisable to take up periodic reviews to ensure that the security is not compromised at any point of time. At Magento India, you can avail the services of expert Magento developer India to develop new e-commerce stores as well as maintain the existing ones with reliable security and support services.
