Protecting Your Magento Store from Cyber Threats: Best Practices for E-commerce Security

In the digital arena where e-commerce platforms are thriving, Magento stands out as a robust solution for online ecommerce website and online store front management. However, with the surge in online transactions comes the increased risk of cyber threats.

Addressing key cybersecurity challenges in the ecommerce websites in-commerce today, such as financial fraud, phishing, spam, brute force, DDoS attacks, malware, and fake storefronts. This blog post is designed to help you protect your Magento stores and ecommerce websites from these common threats.

Understanding Cybersecurity Threats to E-commerce

Before jumping into the solutions, it’s vital to understand the landscape of cybersecurity threats that e-commerce platforms, like those powered by Magento, face:

• Financial Frauds: Direct attacks on online payment systems to intercept customers' payment details.
• Phishing and SPAM: Aimed at stealing customer data and breaching databases.
• Brute Force and DDoS Attacks: Targeting the website's availability and accessibility.
• Malware: Including Trojan horses, malicious code hidden within website components, applications, or advertisements.
• Fake Storefronts: Cybercriminals creating copies of e-commerce sites to deceive customers and steal data.

Vulnerable E-commerce Resources

Magento store owners should be aware of the elements within their own ecommerce platform and store and-commerce ecosystem that are most at risk:

1. Online Payment Systems: Prime targets for fraud and theft due to their handling of financial transactions.
2. Web Applications: Vulnerable due to potential misconfigurations.
3. Website Code: Outdated software can leave your store open to attacks.
4. Databases: Susceptible to SQL injections and XSS attacks aiming to exploit vulnerabilities through malicious code.
5. Customer Data: Personal and financial information that hackers often target.
6. Website Infrastructure: Including servers that can be overwhelmed by DDoS attacks.

TOP web applications security risks Insights from the Latest OWASP Data

In the dynamic realm of web application security, the shift in vulnerabilities as outlined by the latest data is both insightful and foreboding. The 2021 update presents a reshuffled deck of threats.

1. Broken Access Control ascending to the top spot. This leap from its previous fifth position underscores a startling reality - 94% of tested applications exhibited some form of broken access control, making it the category with the highest occurrence within applications. This highlights an urgent need for organizations to reinforce their access control mechanisms, ensuring that users can only access resources in a manner they are permitted to.
2. The reconceptualisation of Cryptographic Failures (formerly referred to as Sensitive Data Exposure) requires a focused approach to bolster data security through the application of resilient cryptographic techniques.
3. Falling to third place, Injection remains a major threat, with 94% of tested applications vulnerable to issues like SQL injection and Cross-site Scripting (XSS). Although it has dropped in ranking, from first to third position, the widespread danger linked to injection vulnerabilities highlights the crucial need for rigorous input validation and sanitation practices.
4. The emergence of Insecure Design as a new threat highlights a growing emphasis on prioritizing secure design patterns, principles, and threat modeling right from the start of the development process.
5. The increase in Security Misconfiguration is linked to the growing complexity and customization of software. With 90% of applications tested for misconfigurations, it stresses the crucial requirement for careful configuration management and regular security assessments to prevent misconfigurations from becoming exploitable vulnerabilities.
6. Elevating Vulnerable and Outdated Components highlights the ongoing challenge of managing software dependencies. Proper mappings require a comprehensive assessment of third-party components and adherence to secure versioning practices.
7. Identification and Authentication Failures (previously Broken Authentication) now ranks third. Despite being vital, the growth of standard frameworks seems to have a positive effect here.
8. The category Software and Data Integrity Failures is a new addition for 2021, focusing on the repercussions of assuming the integrity of software updates, critical data, and pipelines without proper verification.
9. Security Logging and Monitoring Failures. This category can significantly influence visibility, incident notification, and forensic analysis.
10. Server-Side Request Forgery This category depicts a situation where security experts emphasize its significance, despite it not being explicitly demonstrated in the current data.

API security according to OWASP

In the realm of modern e-commerce, especially with Magento systems, API security emerges as a crucial concern. The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) identifies vulnerabilities like broken object-level security code authorization and authentication issues, posing significant risks restrict access to APIs.

These weaknesses can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data and services, compromising the integrity and availability of e-commerce platforms.

For Magento store owners, ensuring robust API security involves implementing stringent authentication, authorization, and data validation protocols to maintain secure systems and safeguard against these prevalent threats.

Best Practices for Magento Security

Now that we've identified the threats and vulnerabilities to magento websites, here are actionable measures Magento store ecommerce website owners can implement to bolster their own Magento site security and cybersecurity posture. The initial steps include: implementing security measures on your network, followed by enforcing secure configurations on all systems.

Regular software updates for your Magento website

Magento frequently releases security patches and software updates. Ensure your platform is up-to-date to protect against known security vulnerabilities now. Considering that known security risks stem from both internal (30%) and external (70%) sources within an organization, we can develop an effective security policy.

Magento security patches

For Magento users, staying updated with the latest security patches is paramount. These updates are crucial for protecting your e-commerce site from new vulnerabilities and threats, reinforcing your magento site’s defenses, and maintaining customer trust.

Regularly scheduled maintenance and updates should be an integral part of your security strategy, ensuring that your whole magento ecommerce store and platform remains resilient against attacks and compliant with evolving data protection regulations. Magento security patches are fundamental in mitigating security risks on your Magento website.

Magento 1 to Magento 2 upgrade

Upgrading from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is a strategic move, given that the latest version of Magento 2 offers improved security features that are simpler to uphold. Magento 1 is no longer supported by Magento after June 2020, making it even more important to migrate to the newer version for enhanced Magento security issues.

If you use Magento 1, please upgrade your site to an approved version that is secure. Cybercriminals know when patches expire and rely on these vulnerabilities when a zero-day exploit is executed.

Utilize Secure Payment Gateways to mitigate security risks

Use reputable and secure payment gateways that encrypt transaction data. Consider implementing additional layers of security, such as two-factor authentication (2FA), for transactions.

Magento offers integrations to the payments gateway that provide merchants the security to transfer credit card details to their customers. These solutions employ APIs, Payment Forms hosted on external payment processors.

With these options, payments can be sent directly from the payment gateway without the store of sensitive data and also helps site owners comply with PCI requirements.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (FFAs) provides additional protection for the admin panel by requiring users to supply a secondary ID during the login process. These could be messages sent via the phone or generated via a trusted software. Magento 2 supports 2FA.

You can activate this feature from Stores > Configuration > Security > 2FA within the admin panel. Configure the settings based on your requirements.Activating authentication techniques are required.

Strong Password Policies for Magento website

Implement strict password policies for both customer and administrative accounts. Encourage or enforce the use of complex passwords and consider the use of password managers. Also consider implementing a password security policy, including regularly updating passwords.

Ensure that all users on your Magento store have strong passwords, including administrator accounts. A valid password must have 12 character length and contain upper and lowercase letters, number numbers and special letters. Consider implementing two-factor authentication for an added layer of protection.

Set a Custom Path for the Admin Panel

The most common Magento site is: web site. These types of URLs are built by default on Magento and are easily predictable or hackable. To improve Magento stores security, follow this simple step.

Change the default admin URL to something unique. This simple measure can significantly up your website security and extensions reduce the risk of brute force attacks. Additionally, restrict access to the admin panel by IP address.

Append a Security Key to Magento Admin Panel

Magento 2 offers easy adds to the site. The key allows only people able to log onto the Admin Panel, thereby preventing hacking and eavesdropping. Moreover, there are other ways for Magento 2 security to be enhanced.

Limit Access to the Admin Panel

Restrict access to the web application firewall admin panel to only necessary personnel. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access or accidental changes being made to the website. Additionally, consider implementing user roles and permissions within the admin panel to further limit access based on job responsibilities.

Use Secure Connections (SSL/HTTPS)

Always use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit. Ensure that SSL certificates are up-to-date and consider adding a web application firewall (WAF) for mobile device as an extra layer of security.

When sending sensitive data through encrypted communication there is an inherent risk of the data being intercepted. This allows the attacker to see if the credentials of your employer are legitimate. This issue can only be resolved using a secure Magento connection.

If you have an SSL/HTTP server in Magento, you can use that server in your system configuration. This also makes securing the payment processing system and online transactions a critical component of your Magento web site. If a person wants SSL certificates, use Let's Encrypt. It helps with your PCI compliance.

Top Magento 2 Security Extensions

Security Extensions are very useful and provide a variety of services geared towards ensuring that the Magento store is secure. Below is a list of the important extensions for Magento Security for an online store.

Utilising Magento-specific security software and services helps improve your stores security measures. You might be interested in using the Magento scanner tool to check if you are vulnerable to malware. Magento RecapTch will stop bots from logging on to your website.

Regular Backups

Maintain regular backups of your Magento store, including databases and content. In the event of a cyber-attack, having a recent backup can be the difference between a quick recovery and a prolonged downtime.

It includes a daily offline backup and download backup. If your website was hacked by an unauthorized hacker or crashed, you should have an backup plan so you can avoid interruptions of services.

Keeping website backup files offline can save your files from unauthorized use or arrange the reload of a site. Backups of data cause small loss of information. It is always advisable to verify the backup with the host.

Monitor and Audit

Implement continuous monitoring and auditing practices to detect unusual activities early. Tools that provide real-time alerts can help you act swiftly to mitigate potential threats. Security scan tool can also help identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in your system.

The Magento security scanner tool helps you identify potential vulnerabilities in your Magento store. The Magento Security Scan tool can assist in finding and solving a security problem and ensures your site's security and privacy.

Educate Your Team

Cybersecurity awareness among your team members can dramatically reduce the risk of security breaches. Regular training sessions on security best practices and the latest phishing techniques can empower your team to act as a first line of defense.

Partner with Security Experts

Collaborate with cybersecurity specialists for vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and continuous support to safeguard your Magento store. Also, focus on your hosting provider and infrastructure to enhance store security.

How Hosting Creates an Impact on Store Security

Magento, being a robust e-commerce platform, demands high-level hosting services to bolster security, efficiency, and performance. Its scalability underscores the importance of hosting providers possessing this characteristic to fully harness Magento's potential.

Multiple hosting options exist for Magento, with Cloudways offering a worry-free solution for hosting fast growing Magento stores. Exploring how this approach enhances Magento 2 security can be enlightening.

For further insights on hosting for Magento, delve into the accompanying blog post discussing Magento hosting challenges and their solutions.

Protect Against Card Testing Attacks

E-commerce websites sometimes have problems using cards as a test. If an attacker smuggles information online it is commonly used to try to sell it on the Internet before using the hack to steal it.

They use small, usually $1 purchases to verify that the card is still being used and allow later selling. It is likely the attacker is automating the process. So if you have ever witnessed more than 500 transactions happening within a matter of seconds on ecommerce websites then it is probably the culprit.

False checkout form malware

In the realm of cyber threats, a prevalent method of attack involves malware sneaking into an online store during the checkout process. This insidious tactic occurs when a deceptive form compromises customer data, even in the face of routine security evaluations.

The introduction of a deceptive checkout form, leading to potential data breaches during the checkout process, can be identified through manual detection when encountering malfunctioning checkouts or through automated testing that highlights discrepancies pre and post modifications.

Immediate cessation of operations and timely notification of affected customers are crucial actions to prevent fraudulent activities.

The key takeaway is the importance of maintaining prudence and vigilance consistently the production environment. Our daily efforts to safeguard the security extension the Magento store benefit significantly from automated testing. This served as both a proof of concept and a valuable lesson for the future.

Security crisis what to do step by step

Immediately Assess the Situation

The first step in dealing with a security crisis is to assess the situation comprehensively. Identify the extent of the breach, the data affected, and the potential impact on your business and customers. Swiftly gathering all the facts will inform your subsequent actions and communication strategy.

Communicate Transparently

Once you understand the security breach's scope, communicate transparently with your customers and stakeholders. Honesty and openness about the situation can help maintain trust. Provide regular updates as more information becomes available and guide affected parties on protecting themselves.

Review and Strengthen Security Measures

Post-crisis, conduct a thorough review of your current security measures. This analysis should highlight any weaknesses exploited during the breach. Strengthen your security posture based on these insights, whether it's upgrading technology, a security audit enhancing monitoring, or further educating your team.

Learn from the Incident

Every security incident provides valuable lessons that can improve future responses and defenses. Document everything learned from the crisis – what worked, what didn’t, and what could be done differently. Use this knowledge to refine your cybersecurity strategy and better prepare for any future incidents.

Cyber risk insurence

Cyber risk insurance has become an essential tool for businesses to mitigate the financial risks associated with data breaches and cybersecurity incidents. It not only provides a financial safety net but also access to expert support during a crisis.

When selecting a cyber risk insurance policy, consider the coverage extent, including legal fees, customer notification expenses, and the cost of restoring lost data.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the cyber insurance policy, the insured may be able to claim for:

- Restoring personal identities of affected customers

- Business interruption leading to income loss

- Communication with clients, customers, employees, and other stakeholders - Civil fines and penalties

- Security and privacy liability

- Cyber extortion

- Network interruption

Furthermore, ensure that the insurance provider has a deep understanding of the cyber attacks and threats and offers support for risk assessment and crisis management. Proper cyber risk insurance can be a additional component in your business's resilience strategy, offering peace of mind in the digital age. This is a proactive step you can take to manage the potential expenses during a crisis.

Subuno - online transaction protection with anti freud widgets

When it comes to Magento security extensions there is a Subuno fraud prevention module for Magento. The Subuno API-based module ensures 100% fraud elimination. Fighting fraud incurs costs and time, but eradicating fraud boosts sales and eradicates e-commerce losses effectively.

Subuno streamlines the process by automating order reviews, replacing manual checks with automatic verifications, saving both time and money. A user-friendly dashboard provides comprehensive insights for analysis.

You can establish custom rules or leverage pre-existing best practice templates to scrutinize orders against a vast array of over 100 risk factors. These assessments include fraud scores, whitelists, and velocity checks.

Upon order placement, Subuno processes it and assigns a status - accept, reject, or review - indicated by a flag. Flagged orders can be investigated promptly as needed.

Cypress Magento website automated testing

Automated tests can cover various areas within a Magento store. We utilize them to maintain the stability of the intricate Magento security architecture. Cypress, being an open-source tool, aligns perfectly with the latest version of Magento.

Admittedly, this approach requires additional time and financial resources, but it yields substantial benefits in the form of enhanced e-commerce store security – a crucial aspect for complex stores.

The tests are performed on static data, necessitating adjustments whenever changes occur in the live store. Nevertheless, automated tests can be routinely executed by employing a predefined set of tests or making minor modifications to them.

Automated tests run automatically and can be initiated by specific events like deployment. We have three ways to run tests:

• Manual initiation,
• Automatic triggering during deployment,
• Scheduled cyclic runs - recommended when it comes to security issues.

Wrapping Up Magento website security

In a world increasingly governed by digital transactions, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. For Magento e-commerce store owners, the stakes are high, but by understanding the threats, acknowledging the system vulnerabilities, and implementing best practices for security, you can significantly reduce the risk to your business and your customers.

Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process, not a one-time setup. Stay vigilant, stay updated, and build a safe shopping environment for your customers.