As business move online, eCommerce opportunities attract not only entrepreneurs, but also cybercriminals. Hackers target clients’ personal data, account access, and compnay insider information. How can you protect your online store? It’s hart to eliminate all risks, but you can reduce them by choosing a reliable CMS, regularly reviewing code changes made to the website, and using an optimal hosting solution.<\/p>\nAlexander, Development Team Lead<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Hacking an online store involves unauthorized access to its data or functions with the aim of changing, stealing, or damaging them. A hacker identifies a vulnerability in the software (often called a \u201csecurity hole\u201d) and exploits it to compromise the program\u2019s integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attackers may have various reasons, including financial fraud, blackmail, spreading viruses, political revolt, gathering data for competitors, or even simply for entertainment \u2014 newbie hackers often practice on real projects. In eCommerce, the most common types of cybercrime include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n SQL injection involves injecting arbitrary SQL codes into application queries to a database. If successful, the attacker can view and copy local files, execute commands on the server, or download user data, including credit card numbers and passwords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hacker can carefully create a backdoor into an organization\u2019s system and remain undetected for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) is a common vulnerability found in many web applications. The attacker injects code into the website that wasn\u2019t intended by the developers, and this code executes whenever users visit the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hackers use XSS to hack into customers\u2019 personal accounts or redirect them to fake pages. These fake pages, like clones of an online store, bank, or payment system, trick users into entering confidential data, which the hacker then steals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack floods a server or network with a massive amount of traffic from many computers or devices. The system can\u2019t handle this overload, causing the website to crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal of a DDoS attack is to disrupt the website\u2019s normal functioning to damage your business. Hackers often demand ransom from online store owners, threatening to continue the attack if not paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Viruses are pieces of code placed on a website\u2019s pages to infect visitors\u2019 computers with malware. Once inside a device, the virus can encrypt files, intercept data, or block access to systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malicious bots account for 30% of online traffic and can freeze or crash an online store. These bots mimic real users by browsing products and adding them to carts but don\u2019t complete transactions. Real buyers may see items as out of stock due to bot activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The behavior of bots is somewhat reminiscent of a DDoS attack, but unlike the latter, bots do not \u201cattack\u201d the infrastructure, but imitate the activity of real users and thus create problems with order processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a MITM attack, a hacker intercepts communication between users. They may passively eavesdrop to steal information or actively pose as a bank, online store, or trusted contact to deceive users. Incorporating tools like Microsoft Entra ID<\/a>, which provides secure identity management and safeguards user communications, can significantly reduce the risk of such attacks. Hackers use MITM attacks for competitive intelligence, account intrusion, or financial fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Skimming involves placing malicious code on a store\u2019s checkout page to steal credit card and payment information during checkout. This code is hard to detect and doesn\u2019t show obvious signs of cyber fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are just some common website hacking methods. There are others, more complex and sophisticated, each requiring varying time and resources. However, they all lead to serious financial and reputational losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So how do you protect yourself? We recommend using a reliable CMS, a hosting solution <\/a>with security monitoring, and conducting regular code reviews. Now, let\u2019s get into detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, let us remind you that a CMS (Content Management System) is software used to create, fill out, and manage websites. It serves as the foundation or \u201cengine\u201d of a website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like any large-scale software, CMSs have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to get access to a website. These vulnerabilities often lead to serious e-commerce security threats<\/a>. No platform can guarantee 100% security because websites are constantly changing due to updates and integrations with external systems. However, when choosing a CMS for your online store, look for those with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read our article\u00a0eCommerce Software Development: Platforms, Features And FAQs<\/a>\u00a0to learn how to choose a CMS for a successful online store.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For an eCommerce project, you can either develop a platform from scratch (using PHP or frameworks like Laravel for example), or use a ready-made solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While a custom platform may seem more secure because its code is unique, as a business owner, you should consider whether the development team can regularly update the CMS. This is vital because updates are essential for improving the reliability and security of the project, making it more resistant to new malware that emerges almost daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, ready-made CMSs receive regular updates from their developers. Information about new versions is usually available directly in the admin panel. Regular updates and patch management process<\/a> is key to eCommerce security. They quickly address vulnerabilities, reduce risks, and prevent hackers from exploiting gaps, protecting system integrity and user data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Product companies also actively monitor for vulnerabilities. If any are discovered, they promptly inform customers and provide instructions on what to do next. For example, the\u00a0CS-Cart eCommerce platform<\/a>\u00a0has a forum where experts announce such events and where you can download updated CMS versions or security patches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every application is made up of code, initially open and accessible to anyone, but access can be restricted if needed, making it a closed-source or proprietary platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open code has its pros and cons. Hackers can closely analyze it to find vulnerabilities, but it\u2019s also scrutinized by a community of professional developers aiming to detect and fix bugs before attackers exploit them. Therefore, for data security, it\u2019s best to choose a ready-made open-source CMS. One such option is CS-Cart, a platform for launching online stores and marketplaces, used by over 35,000 eCommerce projects in 170 countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a closed system, the customer relies entirely on the service provider to detect, develop, and release patches to fix vulnerabilities. The customer and their technical team can\u2019t participate in this process due to lack of access to the code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A code review involves inspecting code for potential vulnerabilities, cleanliness, and adherence to platform standards. It\u2019s done by specialists like technical leads, team leads, and experienced developers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s focus on code clarity. This refers to its simplicity, and modularity. How does this affect security? Directly. Clear logic and structure, visible fields, identifiers, and timestamps make it easier to find potential or actual data leaks. On the other hand, finding flaws in messy code requires a long, painstaking analysis. And during a hacker attack, time is critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dirty code example<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n At CS-Cart, after reviewing the code, we provide clients with a report of the issues we\u2019ve found. This includes possible vulnerabilities, performance issues, compatibility with third-party modules, and ease or complexity of updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clean code example<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n To sum it up, we\u2019ll emphasize once again: code review helps to easily identify accidentally or deliberately left holes in the code that provoke the threat of data leakage. Therefore, our advice is to carry out such checks regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more:<\/strong>\u00a0How We Perform A Website Audit And Code Review\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The hosting provider also bears responsibility for the security of an online store. A responsible provider takes necessary measures to protect their own and client data. They install filters, firewalls, and systems to detect malicious attacks. They monitor traffic and watch for suspicious activity, promptly blocking requests from potentially dangerous sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When considering a hosting provider, aside from quality services, they should offer prompt technical support and be available 24\/7. Ideally, they should specialize in eCommerce, allowing to offer solutions tailored to specific online store platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To sum it up, we would like to list the main recommendations for ensuring data security on an eCommerce site. Some of them will seem trivial to you, but in matters of information security there are no trifles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, it\u2019s important to focus not just on following rules, but on cultivating a culture of conscious safety within your company. Adhering to these basic measures should become a standard practice, ensuring the protection of your online store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n eCommerce is rapidly growing, attracting significant investments and millions of users. However, this growth also makes online stores and marketplaces prime targets for cybercriminals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each year, cybercriminals develop more sophisticated methods of attack. Fortunately, there are tools available to combat these threats. If you\u2019re concerned about the security of your project, reach out to us: the CS-Cart team will help you choose a reliable CMS, seamlessly\u00a0upgrade from outdated website software<\/a>, review your code, and host your website on a hosting solution tailored to\u00a0eCommerce requirements<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCyber threats in eCommerce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
SQL injection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
XSS attack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
DDoS attack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Viruses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Malicious bots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Man in the middle (MITM) attack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Skimming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Choosing a solid CMS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is safe: a ready-made CMS or a custom one?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is safe: an open source or proprietary CMS?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Code review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tips to keep your online store data secure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n