cessfully, they can change your site, insert content, institute malware attacks, and, of course, steal data.
Authentication attacks are some of the most common ways criminals access your client’s data. Utilizing brute force, cyber crooks continually try logging in rapidly to your server. These types of attacks may involve attacking session IDs that keep track of users. A session ID can be used to impersonate someone and gain access to other accounts like Google or Twitter.
These attacks exploit weak passwords, exposed accounts, or other flaws. For example, there may be flaws in logout functions, password management, account updates, timeouts, or in other areas of your system.
If someone mistakenly misconfigures a security setting, a frequent mistake, criminals can exploit that weakness and gain access to your servers and the data it holds. Once they do so, stealthy hackers can, over time, carefully steal or modify your data without anyone knowing about it.
This type of attack reportedly was used on former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s email server, which—allegedly—criminals had access to for several years.
Traditional Methods of Protection
There are traditional methods of protection that can assist businesses to protect their websites from unauthorized access and exploitation. Some of these require drafting, implementing, and monitoring policy to help secure your site. Others require more robust technical measures to help keep your eCommerce site safe.
One of the most important things you need to do is require strong passwords using a minimum of six or more characters, including letters, numbers, and symbols. The longer and more complex the password, the better.
Enforce security training for all employees to help better protect your eCommerce site. Include discussions on the importance of maintaining strict control over sensitive data by never emailing it, sending it by text, or discussing it during a chat session.
Ensure your IT section sets up and receives system alerts for suspicious activity. Things like multiple orders by the same person using a different credit card or phone number should be flagged.
Choose the Right Platform
Enterprises must choose the right eCommerce platform. Do your research and find one that has good user ratings for security. Things like secondary authentication and object-oriented programming languages will help keep your site more secure.
Ensure your checkout system is PCI compliant. You should use EV SSL (Extended Validation Secure Sockets Layer) authentication. The SSL security seal will give your customers peace of mind, too.
Remember that part of PCI compliant means you do not store customer credit cards, expiration dates, and other sensitive data.
Firewalls and Layered Security
Use the strongest firewall protection you can find. In addition, make sure you layer your security.
Always include a real-time analytics tool as part of your cyber security program. Monitor your site often. Set up phone, text, and email alerts to warn you immediately of suspicious activity.
Always use tracking numbers. This will minimize chargeback fraud.
Backup and Disaster Recovery
This is the most important action you can take to protect your business. A weak disaster recovery plan can have devastating financial consequences. Make sure you have a secure data backup and recovery operation in place.
Tokenization has become a crucial method of protecting your eCommerce site from a data breach. The process of tokenization replaces your sensitive data with tokens. The tokens have unique identification symbols containing all the essential data without compromising its security.
This has become a great way, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses, to significantly and quickly enhance the company’s eCommerce website. It is simple, yet effective.
Using tokenization also minimizes the hassles associated with trying to comply with industry and government standards and regulations. These rules are complex and can require significant expenditure to remain compliant.
For example, there is a PayPal Credit Car