They want it all. From your precious organizational data to beloved customers’ credit card information, hackers want to barge in and make away with every possible data that they can.
But, should you cave in? Well, after all, every business in the Internet realm is facing cyber security threats. But they are heightening their digital fortresses with proven security measures that send hackers packing.
Here are some such Security measures you ought to undertake as an online store owner:
1. Pick A Secure eCommerce Platform
Your home is secure as the ground on which it is standing. Your online store will be as secure as the eCommerce platform in which it is developed. There are several eCommerce platforms in the market today, like Magento, Drupal, Opencart, WooCommerce, etc.
Each platform has its own level of security provisions. Some like WooCommerce even allow store owners to extend their security with custom plugins or extensions.
2. Partner With A Reliable Hosting Provider
A hosting provider has a major role to play to ensure your store’s web security. A cheap hosting provider who vests enough resources for your security is the best bet you can make for long-term safety. Here is some checkpoint to note for while picking hosting provider.
- Regular backups of data
- 128 or 256-bit encryption
- Emergency procedures in case of a security breach
- Comprehensive logs of data
- Round the clock technical assistance
- Disaster recovery processes in place
3. Strive For PCI Compliance
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance is a must-have for all websites that are processing online payments. It covers a majority of branded card companies like American Express, Visa, MasterCard, etc. all of which customers frequently use.
PCI DSS compliance requires online store owner to adhere to standards based on 4 major levels. The level in which your business will fall under will be determined based on the annual transaction volume.
A rough idea of what the compliance requires can be understood from below:
4. Use An Address Verification System (AVS)
An Address Verification System combined with a Card Value Verification (CVV) system helps reduce the possibilities of fraudulent transactions. Simply put, the AVS ensures that the address of the person claiming to own and use the credit card is indeed a genuine one.
CVV, on the other hand, is a private 3 digit number, which as an anti-fraud security feature ensures that only the owner in possession of the card is able to use it.
5. Use TLS/HTTPS
Transport Layer Security (TLS), also known as SSL (Security Sockets Layer) is a modern day security provision that helps web users browse and transact online with layered security. The SSL certificate creates an encrypted link between a browser and the server.
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The data gets transferred in an encrypted mode which prevents hackers and cyber criminals from stealing it. The encrypted data can be received completely in readable form only at the other end where the HTTPS encryption ends. During the transit, the data will appear to be n gibberish form which cannot be deciphered by anyone.
This provides the desired security that online shopping, Internet banking or other such sensitive enterprise applications require.
Security measures to safeguard and safe keep customer data:
6. Offline Storage
Hackers rely primarily on online medium to steal sensitive data. Sensitive data includes your customer transactions, credit card information, payroll records, etc. all of which in the wrong hands can wreck your business.
The best way to defeat hackers at their intend it by storing all sensitive information in offline mediums. Offline storage ensures that you have the data readily available for access anytime without making it easily available to hackers.
Moreover, it will also double up as a cybersecurity strategy that satisfies PCI DSS requirements.
7. Password Controls
While every measure can be taken to safeguard your systems, the first lapse usually happens from the user side, that is through weak passwords. Passwords are like keys to your home, the stronger they are, difficult it is to enter your house unwelcome.
Unfortunately, most users, especially employees are less bothered about using strong passwords.
They find it easy to use repeatedly, easy to remember passwords like:
- Password123
- 123456
- Qwerty, etc.
Or simply their name with birthdays added to it. In other words, these passwords are prone to hacking. Like charity that begins at home, cyber security begins with users. Train employees to use strong passwords that contain a combination of alphanumeric characters that are not easy to guess.
Routine security procedures to stay insulated from hacking and cyber fraud:
8. Malware Assessment
Even with enterprises who adopt maximum cybersecurity measures, malware is bound to creep into systems that making away with data that could mean a lot to your business (and its users).
Hence, the need to constantly check for malware and other security vulnerabilities. It can be done through scheduled scanning using antivirus programs, penetration scanning with the help of security experts or using specific security apps that point out loose links in the system which need to be fixed.
9. DDoS Protection
Distributed Denial of Service is a common form of cyber security threat that targets online stores specifically. In this form of attack, bots infected with a Trojan virus are used to target a single system which crumbles under the peak traffic. The DDoS attack will either cripple the server leaving the hacker with much room to get inside the network.
Thankfully, there are several DDoS protection devices and software available in the market that help mitigate the risk of DDoS attacks.
10. DO It Once, DO It Forever
A reality is that with every passing day the web is becoming an increasingly dangerous place to conduct business and personal transactions. With these cyber security measures, you can uphold the integrity and privacy of your online store’s data as well as your own personal data.
There is so much to be done to become immune to cyber threats. Begin small and soon you will become a completely secure online store where customers will shop at complete ease.
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