The importance of e-commerce security is beyond doubt. And more and more online shops and companies are aware of their importance. Moreover, in 2019, investment in cybersecurity will continue its dynamic growth, almost at the same time as digital threats, which will not cease.
E-commerce security strategies include the use of HTTPS protocols and SSL certificates, the monitoring of transactions and periodic backups, among others. In the following lines, we will delve into these and other measures of proven effectiveness. You can’t miss them!
Install HTTPS protocols
These protocols have increased their popularity in recent years, compared to traditional HTTP, more vulnerable than HTTPS. The HTTPS protocol has been used normally in parts of the website intended for payments, due to the need to armor the information of customers and companies.
At present, however, the use of these protocols has become widespread. Now they are needed in the entire website, which has condemned the old HTTP protocols to ostracism, so to speak.
Parallel to these protocols, it is also essential to install SSL certificates (secure sockets layer), responsible for protecting data in transit during the payment process. In addition, the installation of HTTPS servers has a positive effect on user confidence during navigation.
This is because browsers display a padlock and green text next to the URL, indicating that the website uses HTTPS and SSL certificates. In this way, customers know that their data is properly encrypted and protected. Moreover, Google and other search engines give priority to e-commerce with HTTPS protocols over HTTP.
Implements CVV and AVS verification systems
Payment processing is one of the most sensitive aspects of e-commerce cybersecurity. Businesses should exercise extreme caution, especially when credit or debit cards are involved.
Requiring the CVV (Card Verification Value) code is a highly recommended practice. And it is for two reasons:
- Increase security in online payments. Requiring CVV codes makes it much more difficult to process a fraudulent transaction.
- Cybercriminals may have stolen a credit card number, but not the physical card (although this last scenario is possible, it is very minority).
On the other hand, a good shield to stop fraudulent transactions is to use an AVS (Address Verification System). This system makes it possible to differentiate between fraudulent and legitimate transactions. Although it is not infallible, its operation is simple and makes it possible to improve cybersecurity in payments.
Perform periodic backups
This is another of the most effective e-commerce security strategies. And it certainly doesn’t require hiring industry professionals.
Simply install UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, BoldGrid Backup, BackWPup, and other security plugins and make regular copies of e-commerce databases. It is extremely important to make regular backups of your site’s data. Among the biggest threats to our e-commerce are not only malware or phishing. There is also human error.
While there are ways to manually back up your data, it’s easy to forget or stop doing so systematically. Consequently, the use of plugins and backup tools is required to shield databases and all sensitive e-commerce information.
Use of multilayer security or Multi-Layered
Multilayered security means the use of different measures, such as the installation of a firewall, which provides an initial defense against cyber threats.
In addition, the use of a CDN (content delivery network) allows an extra layer of security to be added, since this system diversifies the copies of data in several geographical points.
This measure is also useful for preventing DDoS (denial-of-service attack) attacks. Without a doubt, one of the most important e-commerce security strategies.
Performs transaction monitoring
When we talk about monitoring transactions, you may imagine a group of professionals locked in a room full of screens and computer equipment, reviewing each transaction online. This is not necessary! Setting up alerts for suspicious movements in transactions is enough.
One of the most popular is to block a transaction when the billing and shipping addresses do not match. This is an anomaly that could hide some kind of fraud or credit card theft.
Avoid storing credit/debit card information
Beyond e-commerce security and encryption techniques and tools, the best online stores use common sense to protect their customers.
The best way to avoid credit and debit card information leaks is to not store them. We know: credit card numbers and customer names are essential to facilitate quick payment. However, it is not necessary to store them on online servers.
Today, moreover, such storage would violate the rules set out in the PCI standards. The loss of this information not only compromises the reputation of e-commerce users: it also puts financial institutions and companies at risk.
An excellent alternative is to use payment gateways such as PayPal, WePay, Skrill, Stripe or Authorize.net. In this way, sensitive information will be the responsibility of these platforms, which also have better security protocols than conventional e-commerce.
With the help of these e-commerce security strategies, you no longer have excuses to offer your customers a 100% secure e-commerce environment.
And it is not necessary to invest a fortune in cybersecurity to prevent DoS attacks, fraudulent transactions and other digital threats, right?
