As e-commerce continues to grow and become more prevalent in our daily lives, security concerns have become increasingly important. In particular, those who use the popular Magento platform must take proactive measures to protect their online stores from malicious attacks.
While Magento is a highly secure platform by default, there are several additional steps you can take to further safeguard your store and customers’ information.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 8 essential Magento security tips to help strengthen your online store’s defences.
Magento Security Tips
1. Use Magento Security Scan Tool
Magento Security Scan Tool is a free service provided by Magento that helps you identify vulnerabilities in your store. By using this tool, you can scan stores for known security issues, such as outdated software, weak passwords, and other vulnerabilities. This tool helps you to identify issues before they are exploited by hackers.
The Magento Security Scan Tool can be accessed through the Magento Account. Once you log in to your account, you can scan your store by providing your store’s URL. After the scan is completed, you will receive a detailed report of vulnerabilities and recommended solutions. Magento also provides tips on how to resolve any security issues identified during the scan.
It is important to run a security scan on your Magento store regularly. It helps you identify any potential security risks and take action before a breach occurs. It is also a good idea to run a security scan after any major updates or changes to your store.
2. Keep Magento Up-To-Date
Keeping your Magento platform up-to-date is one of the essential security tips to protect your online store. Whenever a new version of Magento is released, it usually includes important security patches and bug fixes to enhance the platform’s security features.
By upgrading to the latest Magento version, you can protect your website from potential security breaches and keep your customers’ information safe. However, upgrading your Magento platform can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the process.
To make the process smoother, you can use the Magento Upgrade Service via development Companies. The service includes backing up your website data, testing site after the upgrade, and ensuring that the third-party extensions are compatible with the latest version of Magento.
3. Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that ensures only authorized users can access your Magento store. Two-factor authentication requires an additional step for logging in, besides username and password. This additional step may involve receiving a text message or entering a code generated by a security token or app.
Using two-factor authentication is an effective way to protect the Magento store against unauthorized access and hacking attempts. To set up two-factor authentication in Magento, you can use Google Authenticator, Authy, and other authentication apps.
When implementing two-factor authentication, make sure to enable it for all users with admin privileges. This way, even if an attacker gains access to a user’s password, they will still be unable to log in without the additional authentication step.
4. Install an SSL Certificate on Your Store website
An SSL certificate secures the connection between your website and customer’s browser by encrypting any data that is exchanged, such as credit card information or login credentials.
An SSL certificate is especially crucial if you have an online store that requires customers to enter sensitive data. Google also ranks websites with an SSL certificate higher in search results, giving your store more visibility and credibility.
After the SSL certificate is installed, you need to ensure that all pages on the website are accessed through HTTPS, which indicates a secure connection. You can configure this setting in the Magento backend under System > Configuration > General > Web > Secure.
5. Backup Your Site Regularly
No matter how secure the Magento store is, there is always a chance of data loss due to hacking attempts or hardware failure. Backing up your site regularly is essential for maintaining the security of your Magento store.
A regular backup strategy ensures that you always have a copy of the site data that can be restored if something goes wrong. It helps you recover quickly from data loss and also ensures that you do not lose important customer information, orders, and transactions.
In addition to regular backups, you should also perform backup tests regularly to make sure that your backup files are complete and accurate. Consider creating backups before any major changes to your Magento store, such as updates or plugin installations.
6. Use a Unique URL for Admin Dashboard
One of the easiest ways to improve the security of your Magento store is to use a unique URL for the admin dashboard. By default, Magento provides a URL for the admin dashboard that is easy to guess. This can make it vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
To protect the stores from these types of attacks, it is highly recommended to use a unique URL for the admin dashboard. It can be done by editing the Magento configuration files or by using a Magento extension.
Using a unique URL for your admin dashboard not only increases security but also makes it harder for attackers to gain access to the store. It is an easy & efficient security measure that you can implement today.
7. Get Security Review from Magento experts
It’s always a good idea to get a security review done from experienced experts. Hire Magento Developer who can evaluate your store’s security, identify vulnerabilities, and provide recommendations on how to fix them. These developers are experts in the field and can help you take the necessary steps to secure your store.
A security review can help you in many ways. It can protect your store from hackers, malware, and phishing attacks. It can also prevent you from losing your customers’ data and sensitive information.
So, don’t wait until it’s too late. Conduct a security review of your store today. By doing so, you can have peace of mind knowing that your store is protected against any potential security threats.
8. Use Strong Passwords
Many data breaches and cyber attacks are a result of weak passwords that are easily guessable or susceptible to brute force attacks.
When setting passwords for your Magento admin accounts, ensure that you use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using common phrases, your name or date of birth, and easily guessable combinations like “1234” or “password”.
It is also important to regularly update your passwords, ideally every three months or so. This can prevent unauthorized access and keep your store data secure.
Conclusion
Protecting your Magento store from potential security threats should be a top priority. By implementing the essential security tips outlined in this article, you can safeguard your store against attacks and ensure the safety of your customers’ personal and financial information.
Remember that the security of your Magento store is an ongoing process, so make sure to regularly review and update your security measures to stay ahead of potential threats. By taking proactive steps to ensure the security of your store, you can safeguard your business’s reputation and your customers’ trust.
