As Magento sites deal with the sensitive data of customers, it is a favorite target of hackers. When you are in online business, protecting your customer’s data becomes your first priority as it is directly linked to your reputation.
In case, you face a security breach on your site, you suffer tremendous loss- loss of merchandise, customer’s data, blow to your brand’s reputation, etc. Therefore, you need to be conscious about the security when developing Magento store. A few effective tips are highlighted here below that will increase the security of your Magento site:
Table of contents:
1. Use the Latest Version of Magento 2. Use Complex Admin Name and Strong Password 3. Get Encrypted Connection (SSL/HTTPS) 4. Use the Best Antivirus on Your PC/laptop 5. Don’t Use The Same Email for All E-accounts 6. Use Magento security Extensions & Update it Regularly 7. Activate 2 Step Verification 8. Get Your Site Reviewed From an Expert Magento Security Professional 9. Backup Your Site’s Data at Regular Intervals 10. Use a Reliable Hosting Service 11. Restrict Your Site’s Admin Login from Other IP Addresses1. Use the Latest Version of Magento
If you run your E-store on an older version of Magento, your site is widely exposed to various online security threats such as credit card hijack, ransomware, execute code, SQL injection, directory traversal, spamming, file inclusion, etc.
To keep your site safe from such harmful online threats, you need to upgrade your site to the latest versions of Magento (Magento 2.1.2) and which has better security features that its predecessors.
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2. Use Complex Admin Name and Strong Password
Generally, most of the people use plain and simple username and password for their E-accounts. This makes their accounts an easy target for online hackers who look for the sensitive data of customers for making financial gains.
When you operate a Magento store, use a complex user name (for Example- Hatachi481&^%) and a random password (For instance- Ty1#$%^2) so that hackers can’t predict them easily.
You also need to keep updating your site’s admin name & password from time-to-time to keep your website secured. Also, never use the same password if you operate more than one Magento site.
3. Get Encrypted Connection (SSL/HTTPS)
When you operate an online shop and process the sensitive details of customers through your software, you need to use an encrypted connection. The main function of an SSL is to encrypt all communication between the browser and the server and make sure that all data flows through a secure (HTTPS) connection.
You need to use an encrypted connection on your site to gain your client’s trust which is must for the success of any business. You can get a secure HTTPS/SSL URL easily for your Magento store by clicking on the tab “Use Secure URLs” in the system configuration menu.
It protects online transactions on your site’s server and makes your Magneto site compliant with the PCI data security standard in an easy way.
4. Use the Best Antivirus on Your PC/laptop:
As online security breaches are quite rampant these days, you face various online threats such as trojan, spyware, malware, Adware, etc., on your PC/laptop when you browse through the Internet. This could damage your computer/laptop, networks and online transactions too.
You need to use the best Antivirus on your PC/laptop and update it from time-to-time to avoid such security threats. Generally, when you use a PC/laptop with anti-virus, it warns you against visiting harmful sites and installing malicious software.
5. Don’t Use The Same Email for All E-accounts
Many E-business operators use the same simple Email address for different accounts on the Internet and thus, their email becomes known to all, allowing sophisticated hackers to hack it easily and gain some financial advantage. Don’t repeat this mistake again and again.
Always use different emails for different E-accounts and try to keep them private and confidential as far as possible.
6. Use Magento security Extensions & Update it Regularly
There are numerous Magento security extensions that help you to protect your site from various online threats. Just Download a good security extension from Magento connect or any reliable 3rd party sites. You also need to keep updating your Magento extensions from time-to-time. To do so-
Step 1. Go to the Magento Connect Manager,
Step 2. Click on the system- “Magento Connect”? “Magento Connect Manager”. For this, you need to sign in again and confirm your administrator identity. Here, you can scan your extensions and look for updates. If updates are available, they are highlighted in yellow.
Step 3. Select one upgrade and click on “Commit Changes.”
7. Activate 2 Step Verification
Many times, it happens that online bully elements access your login details through various unfair practices and hack your site even when you use a secure email and random password. To avoid such unpleasant situation, you should think of using 2 step verification to sign into your Magento store.
As a matter of fact, 2-Step Verification works as a protection layer on your e-accounts and makes it hard for hackers to hack your account. Once you active 2 step verification on your site, your site is safe from unauthorized access. When you try to log into your Magento account from a new computer/PC, you get a temporary code on your Mobile device to verify your identity and log into your site.
8. Get Your Site Reviewed From an Expert Magento Security Professional
Novice Magento site owners don’t have a clear understanding of various security flaws and vulnerabilities, which increases their site’s chances of being hacked by hackers.
If you run a Magento store and you have a little knowledge about its numerous security issues, don’t hesitate to get your site reviewed by an expert Magento security professional to keep it safe from online threats.
9. Backup Your Site’s Data at Regular Intervals
Several Magento store owners made a blunder by not backing up their site’s data. This causes them a great loss when they lose their site’s access due to a hacking attempt, computer catastrophes, employee errors, wrong updates, etc.
If you keep your site’s backup, it will be easier for you to get your site back easily using backup data.
10. Use a Reliable Hosting Service
When you start your Magento store, you tend to go for the cheapest shared hosting to cut down your cost. Always keep in mind that Magento stores hosted on shared servers are more prone to online attacks.
Therefore, it will be better for you to choose Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting, dedicated Server hosting or cloud hosting to run your site. A good web hosting company will help you to run your site smoothly and keep it safe from online threats.
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11. Restrict Your Site’s Admin Login from Other IP Addresses
If your site is run by a team of professionals, you can increase your site’s protection by denying login attempts from other IP addresses. Just restrict your site’s admin area to be accessed by the IP addresses you want.
Final Thoughts
Ensuring the security of customer’s data is must for all E-shops developed with Magento. Using the above mentioned tips and tricks, you can boost your site’s protection up a great level.
Author Bio: Emily Benson is a passionate blogger and CMS developer. She is currently employed at HireMagentoGeeks Ltd. and handles all HTML to Magento theme conversion projects. When she gets free time, she loves to go for camping.