There’s a famous song that goes like: “It’s a small world after all” … and Internet has made this world even smaller. Ecommerce websites have redefined the realms of shopping. There was a time when shopping meant going to several brick-and-mortar stores and making a purchase after conscientious inspection of the product or service.
That is not the case anymore. Just log on to an eCommerce website like Amazon or eBay and your shopping is sorted. However, just like there are two sides to every coin, eCommerce websites also have a downside. These websites make shopping perfectly convenient but there are certain security threats that you need to be careful of. Security threats imply the unethical attempts to steal the data or manipulate it. It also includes phishing attacks or malware infection by hackers.
Let’s have a look at the reasons for these vulnerabilities one by one.
#1 Improper Management of Data
If you do not manage your data accurately, it is likely to put your system and Internet network at risk to security threats. Free anti-virus software programs can definitely help you mar virus attacks to a certain extent, but they cannot replace the premium anti-virus software license. Therefore, it is advisable to have a fixed cost spared to buy anti-virus software.
#2 Manipulation of Price
The eCommerce websites have to encounter issues like price manipulation several times. The pricing system is completely regulated by automation programs starting from the visitor’s first visit lasting till the last payment gateway. Price manipulation is done to steal the data, and the unauthorized source gets access to the confidential information by installing a lesser price deal in the link.
#3 Snowshoe Spam
Every day we get so many spam messages in our email inbox or text. It is nothing new. We have got complacent to spam. We just read the spam messages and delete it without taking any action. Despite being a serious issue, it is no longer perceived as that. However, that does not really solve the problem. Usually, one person sends spam but sadly cyber criminals have now resorted to an approach that is known as snowshoe spam. It is different from spam in that many users send it. Consequently, the anti-spam software is unable to stop the spam messages and protect the data.
#4 Malicious Code Threats
Viruses, worms, Trojan horses are included in malicious code threats. A virus is usually an external threat that can lead to corrupting the website files on getting access to the internal network. They can cause the system to crash and completely destroy the computer data. It hampers the typical computer working. It is known as a virus as it can only spread in the presence of a host.
Worms cause more serious damage in comparison to viruses. They can destroy numerous computers or devices in hardly few hours.
Trojan horse can execute functions that can destroy the system by working as a programming code. Make sure you perform the source check before downloading anything as Trojan horse can attack your computer through downloads.
#5 Unprotected Wi-Fi system
If your Wi-Fi network is not encrypted, hackers can get into your system and steal the personal information. It works like listening to the information virtually when it is transmitted through a Wi-Fi network. This is possible on public and personal devices as well.
#6 Hacktivism
Hacktivism stands for hacking activism. Though this threat does not affect you directly, it is important to take it into serious consideration. It is not true that hacktivists only target you if you are in the field of politics. There can be socially motivated purposes too. Generally, it uses social media platforms to throw light on issues prevalent in the society. However, it also involves sending numerous emails to an email address to the extent that it gets shut down for a temporary period.
#7 Miscellaneous
Port scanning, data packet sniffing, and IP spoofing are some of the miscellaneous threats that can affect your eCommerce site. Data packet sniffing is usually known as sniffers. A third party unauthorized source often uses sniffers to attack data packet flow and get access to every data pack. It is not easy to trace the attacker if your site is affected with IP spoofing. They modify the source address and make it appear like the origin was another computer.
How to overcome these threats
HTTPS with SSL Certificate
Secure Sockets Layer or SSL Certificate encrypts the data transmitted between the browser and server. You can purchase EV SSL Certificate to make sure that your customers have a safe shopping experience on your eCommerce store.
HTTPS gives your site a green padlock in the address bar and establish a sense of trust with the customers. As a result, you can increase your conversion rate as well as enhance your search engine ranking on Google. Whether you are looking for domain validation or extended validation certificates, you can buy them at reasonable rates from authorised SSL reseller like SSL2BUY.
Security audit
It is advisable to carry out a regular examination of a company’s security processes.
Necessitate two-factor authentication for payment confirmation
Payment gateways should ask for two-factor authentication and send a one-time password on email or text for confirming the payment. This ensures that the transaction is being carried out by the respective person and no hacking attempt is involved whatsoever.
Final Thoughts
Ecommerce is one of the industries that is most prone to security threats. As a result, eCommerce website owners should be wary of the cyber threats and keep their software programs as well as devices updated with the latest security patches and operating systems. Most of the time, it is our carelessness that lands us in trouble. Like it is said: Precaution is better than cure… so if you have not yet secured your eCommerce store website, now is the best time.
It’s better to be safe than sorry!
