It doesn’t take a degree in computer science to know that the Internet is not a safe place. There are a lot of people out there that are constantly trying to find new ways to hurt, shut down and steal from websites and from the people who use them. And, as you might guess, a lot of those people focus squarely on shopping sites, as they are quite closely linked to actual money. So, in this article, we are going to take a look at some eCommerce security threats to online shopping sites that we feel pose the highest threat in modern times.
Common E-Commerce security threats to online shopping sites
In order to run a safe shopping site, there are a couple of things you need to do. By installing proper software, keeping your website updated and managing your files and folders properly, you should be safe from most eCommerce security threats to online shopping sites. But, it doesn’t hurt for you to have an idea of what threats to online shopping sites are actually out there. Know that even a single breach in your security system can lead to multiple lawsuits. If that happens, it will be almost impossible to regain the necessary trust for people to use your online shop.
Therefore, it is essential that you have a clear idea of how to tackle your online shop safety. And, to be aware of the common eCommerce security threats to online shopping sites. Only then will you be able to properly run your shop and keep your customers’ info safe.
Bots
Even though bots can sometimes be useful in the front end developing of your website, they can be a serious threat to online safety. Namely, some bots can infect your online shop and scrape it for inventory and pricing information. The hackers behind these bots will then use that information to alter the pricing and availability of your online store. They can even block your shopping carts by adding multiple products from different IP’s. This prevents your customers from buying the product as they will only see that it is out of stock. This can easily lead to reduced revenue and bad shopping experience for your customers.
There are even certain types of bots that simply reduce the efficiency of your website by choking your bandwidth. While this may seem trivial, it often leads to reduced revenue and poor sales. So, if you feel that your website is not running in usually speed, make sure to check it out.
Financial fraud
Financial frauds are as old as the online shopping industry. Ever since it was conceived, people have tried and sometimes succeeded in con online shops. Either through unauthorized transactions, fake refunds, or misrepresentation, they manage to swindle online shops and hurt their revenue. The oldest trick in the book is to request refunds for products that were illegally acquired or simply damaged.
Spam
Have you implemented a commenting system on your online shop in order to make leaving reviews easier? Then your website might be vulnerable to spam. Similar to email spams, these are useless or harmful messages left in your comment section. They can either simply fill up your comment section with frivolous information, thus worsening the shopping experience for your customers , or they can even bring harmful websites that can cause further harm. Furthermore, spamming can affect your website performance. So you best pay close attention to it.
Phishing
Phishing is a hacking technique where a hacker will use your website to present themselves as a legitimate business. They will email one of your potential or current clients and suggest a business deal. And they will probably stress that the current deal is tailor-made for them and that it has a narrow time limit. If the client doesn’t go the extra mile to check up with you about the deal, they will inevitably fall into a trap. They will most likely give the hackers important information that is bound to do them harm. Unfortunately, the only way to deal with this is to always double-check.
Malware
Malware is a term used to describe a malicious program made by hackers to automatically do harm to a website. This includes online shops, as they have their own set of vulnerabilities. They are the most common type of online security threats. Now, you have malware programs that will simply alter your online shop and either drop its performance or make it crash. Others will attempt to steal valuable information , thus making your entire website unusable.
The common thing about malware is that they are automatic. These programs install and run on their own, which is why there is no brute way to fight them. The only way for you to keep your online shop safe from malware is by updating your site regularly and by having the proper anti-malware software. Keep in mind that there is an ongoing battle between malware hackers and anti-malware providers. This is why it is so important to update your security system as often as possible.
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