Running a successful Shopify store is a great business model in 2022. It gives you the flexibility to sell to a large audience and the freedom to work only as much as necessary. But it also brings a great deal of responsibility. You will have to handle the data of hundreds, if not thousands, of customers.
Keeping this data safe is integral for the reputation and success of your business. A single data breach can end your business.
NordVPN's IoC report on hacking suggests that many companies get hacked without the owners knowing, but there are also many ways to avoid being breached. This article will show you how you can keep your Shopify store safe.
Strong passwords and 2FA
The login screen is the most basic attack vector and one that hackers will try to bypass first. Protect your site with a strong password, and add two-factor authentication for maximum security.
When creating a password, follow these best practices:
- Create a long password (aim for at least 12 characters)
- Add numbers and special characters
- Never use the same password twice
Even if your password is impossible to guess, hackers may find a way to obtain it. That's where 2FA comes into play. Once they enter the password, they'll have to provide additional information (usually a code) to confirm their identity. For that, they'll usually need physical access to your mobile device, which is much harder to get.
Limit admin access to your store
Many Shopify stores are a one-person show. But there are also larger ones with a few admins to take care of the everyday functionality of the site. If you have people working on your Shopify store, use the Shopify staff permission system in the back end.
This system allows you to set access points for your staff, depending on their role in the team. For example, if a staff member is tasked with updating product descriptions, that's the only piece of the site they should have access to.
Protect against fraud
Unfortunately, the e-commerce space is filled with fraudsters. Fraud can cost your store thousands in revenue and tarnish customer trust. Thankfully, Shopify has a Fraud Protection System that will flag potentially fraudulent orders. You can then manually look at the charges before they are processed.
Shopify Protect is another excellent way to protect against fraud. All you need to do is send the order and provide a tracking number. Shopify will reimburse you for the order if it's fraudulent. Shopify Protect is only available for U.S. stores that have enabled Shopify Payments and Shop Pay.
Have backups for your site
No matter how hard you try, something can always go wrong with your site. Whether it's a hacker's or your own doing, you need to be able to revert to an older version of the site, and that's what backups are for.
Many Shopify brands choose Rewind as their backup app, for instance, for peace of mind.
Encrypt your internet connection
Securing your website isn't enough to protect it from attacks. Encrypting your internet connection is necessary so no one can steal your login credentials by looking at your data traffic. That's more likely if you often use unencrypted public networks.
The easiest way to encrypt your internet connection is through a VPN. As its name suggests, a VPN will create a virtual private network that will route traffic through a third server, protecting your data and hiding your IP address. Consider these VPN deals for instant discounts.
The easiest way to encrypt your internet connection is through a VPN. As its name suggests, a VPN will create a virtual private network that will route traffic through a third server, protecting your data and hiding your IP address.
Train against phishing attempts
Your Shopify store isn't just an online gig; it's a business. Hackers often target businesses with elaborate social engineering scams. Phishing is perhaps the most popular one. Look out for suspicious emails, and never click on links or attachments from unverified contacts.
If you have employees, train them to investigate the emails they receive. Some of the most common signs of a scam are:
- The domain name is misspelled
- Poorly written email
- The message has a sense of urgency/ requires immediate action
- Includes weirdly named attachments or suspicious links
Be careful with apps
Installing apps to your store will add great functionality and automate many processes. But, it's best to avoid installing too many third-party apps, as they come with security risks.
Before installing any app:
- Do thorough research on the developer.
- Analyze customer reviews to identify anything that's concerning security-wise.
- Look at the permissions the app requires for installation.
Conclusion
Shopify is a fantastic tool for growing your online business. But with great power comes great responsibility. Handling customer data is stressful, and you must protect it from outside threats. A security breach can destroy any faith customers have in your business. But the tips in this article can help you avoid such a scenario.
