Nov 13, 2023
by Humera

Ensuring the security of e-commerce is a critical undertaking for any organization that operates in the digital domain. There are numerous categories of threats, and skilled hackers can gain access to a system in mere hours. If hackers obtain access to sensitive data, the reputation and operations of your organization could be disrupted or even destroyed. This blog will discuss some tips for protecting customers' personal information and data when making transactions online.

Eliminating cybercrime at its source is the most efficacious approach to mitigating attacks. Maintaining vigilance and adhering to e-commerce security best practices will aid in the protection of your organization's and clients' information. Customers' sense of loyalty and appreciation towards your organization will increase if you take additional measures to protect their information. Here are the primary facts that must be valid for online transactions to be secure:

  • Confidentiality

During transmission, it must not be sabotaged in any way that third parties should not be able to gain access to sensitive information.

  • Integrity

The integrity of data must be maintained at all times while it is being transmitted over the internet.

  • Availability

Within a predetermined time frame, information should be accessible wherever it is needed.

  • Authenticity

Access to sensitive data should be granted only after proper user authentication has taken place.

  • Non-Repudiability

It's insurance in case your order is cancelled or your payment is declined. The recipient shouldn't be able to retract a message and claim they never got the communication.

  • Encryption

Only the intended recipient should be able to decrypt the encrypted data.

  • Auditability

It is important to keep records in a format that allows for auditing, as this helps ensure the data's integrity.

How do payment gateways provide the highest level of safety?

The acceptance of payment gateways is increasing significantly. Because of their convenience, efficiency, and safety, they are rapidly proliferating. In today's digital payment transactions, a payment gateway is the initial point of contact. When it comes to transacting money online, safety must take precedence. When making an online purchase, consumers must disclose sensitive financial information. These days, however, we rarely pause to consider the security implications of sharing personal information online. In the back of our minds, we know the payment gateway will safeguard our information effectively. This presumption is without a doubt correct.

A payment gateway refers to the technological interface that facilitates the reading of payment cards and the transmission of client information to the merchant acquiring bank for the purpose of processing. The features of payment gateway ecosystems make them so secure and the best choice for handling online financial transactions. In addition to strong data encryption, payment gateways also monitor for potential security issues at regular intervals. By implementing security measures to protect your website, you can ensure that you possess the necessary resources to deliver the products and services that were promised.

Guidelines for protecting an e-commerce business

Having gained an understanding of the most prevalent security risks that can affect a website, one may inquire about additional measures that can be implemented to protect one's work, the information of users, and oneself. For consumers who shop online, the importance of secure data storage is growing rapidly. This has led to an increase in hacking, phishing, and data breaches, which can cost a business money and goodwill in addition to revealing sensitive customer information. Two of the most crucial security measures for consumers' personal information during online transactions are encryption and secure data storage. With this in mind, we have compiled a set of protection guidelines for the online store that you manage.

1. Secure your web server and e-commerce platform

Despite the plethora of available e-commerce options, locating a trustworthy web host and a secure platform is of the utmost importance. A majority of e-commerce website designers incorporate security measures. Nevertheless, each host and platform are unique. Determine a hosting provider and platform that offer comprehensive protection against SQL intrusions and malware. It is advisable to procure an SSL certificate along with identifying vendors who offer bundled security protocols and additional benefits. Encryption techniques like Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) make sure safe data transfer between a user's browser and a website, like credit card numbers and personal details, is protected. Please implement SSL/TLS encryption on your website to safeguard user information in transit.

2. Daily SQL checks

Given that SQL injections can occur through any user input form on your website, it is imperative that you conduct routine vulnerability scans for these types of issues. Diverse software applications, which may vary depending on the operating system, are capable of monitoring and obstructing these injections to prevent their access to your website. Free site scanners may offer comparable functionality; however, it is crucial to conduct a thorough investigation of the software's reputation and exclusively download from reputable sources. Configure the selected scanner to perform daily security tests on your website. This will enable the detection and remediation of any vulnerabilities prior to their exploitation.

3. Entrust the management of your data to the experts

The absence of customer information eliminates the concern of its loss. Without justification, do not request or store sensitive information about your customers. It is customary for e-commerce websites to employ a third-party, encrypted checkout conduit for the purpose of payment processing. It is possible to rely on the overwhelming majority of payment processors to safeguard user information. Choose a payment gateway that is compatible with the host server of your online business. You require something that is superior to all others in its ability to prevent fraud and safeguard your identity.

4. Repair and update your website consistently

In response to vulnerabilities discovered by malicious actors, conscientious programmers develop remedies. Consistent software updates are introduced for websites, and these updates often comprise critical security patches. Consequently, it is critical that you consistently monitor for updates. When modifications are not automated, special attention must be paid to their implementation. Nevertheless, it is advisable that you configure automatic updates on both your computer and website.

5. Be careful when downloading and installing software

The ability to integrate and obtain a wide variety of plugins, tools, and applications directly onto a website is an excellent feature. However, you must always exercise caution regarding what you implement and utilize. Malicious actors may use these modules to inject harmful protocols into your website. It is also not always deliberate. The incompatibility of certain modules with your software may expose your website to potential threats.

You can typically implement the same security measures on your entire computer as you do on your website. Employ dependable security for all business and professional undertakings.

6. Implementing a Website Application Firewall (WAF)

WAF will enhance the online store's security. Against cross-site scripting attacks, SQL injections, and falsified requests, your website will be protected. Additionally, it ought to thwart brute-force hacking attempts against your website. There are currently a multitude of reputable providers offering web application firewalls. Investigate before settling on one that is reasonably priced and highly regarded in the e-commerce industry.

7. Create access control

The purpose of access controls is to guarantee that only approved individuals have access to user data. There have to be stricter security measures in place, such as role-based access control (RBAC) and two-factor authentication (2FA). RBAC ensures that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information. In addition to a password, two-factor authentication (2FA) requires the user to provide some other type of identifying information, such as a one-time code or biometric data.

8. Daily data backup

Regular data backups enable the restoration of information in the case of a cyberattack or data loss. Implementing a routine backup schedule for your website is a critical security precaution. It is vital to maintain a current copy of the website. It is recommended to perform backups of the website at least once every three days, although a higher frequency would be more favorable. One can eliminate the need to manually initiate backups by configuring them to operate automatically. It is imperative that you choose a platform that offers routine website backups, as this is a characteristic that virtually all website creators and web servers provide.

9. Protect data storage methods

Disk and database encryption represent two instances of secure storage solutions that can be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to user data. Encrypting the data stored on a hard drive significantly increases the level of difficulty for an assailant to decipher that data in the event of disk theft. In a database, data that has been encrypted is inaccessible to guests lacking the password.

10. Dispose of data securely

Data that is no longer necessary must be securely purged to prevent unauthorized access. Confirm that data is not recoverable by rivals when using secure data destruction methods such as degaussing and wiping.

11. Construct reliable encryption algorithms

Encryption relies heavily on the stability of the underlying algorithm. Data is secured from intrusion and decryption using a powerful algorithm. Prominent figures in the domain of cybersecurity frequently advise the implementation of the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption algorithm.

12. Apply end-to-end data encryption

In the context of communication, the integrity of the data is restricted to the source and the recipient, who employ end-to-end encryption (E2EE). Users can have confidence in the security of their information against hackers, ISPs, and even the government with E2EE. E2EE can be incorporated into the infrastructure of an online store in order to strengthen data security.

How can CyberMoney guarantee the security of online transactions?

Digital currency is advantageous for e-commerce because it enables companies to accept a currency that possesses a number of desirable characteristics, including:

  • An innovative payment method that solely demands an internet connection. Any point-of-sale (POS) or online device with a browser, serial data interface, Wi-Fi hotspot, or near-field communication (NFC) functionality could process payments.
  • An increasing number of enterprises are starting to recognize and embrace virtual currencies.

Virtual currency-based cryptographic standards serve as an excellent foundation for authorization and security systems. E-commerce solutions that provide further advantages for acquirers beyond simple data security for their customers are advantageous. With the increasing prevalence of online shopping, merchants are actively seeking reliable methods to process credit card payments via the internet. For online transactions to maintain the security of personal information, encryption and secure data storage are essential.

The integration of these technologies has the potential to result in reduced instances of fraudulent activities, decreased worldwide business expenses, an efficient mechanism for facilitating micro-transactions, and seamless integration across the user's array of personal computer devices. Ultimately, this has the potential to provide the consumer with a sense of tranquility and ease while also fostering a seamless and harmonious client relationship for the merchant.