Magento is a popular e-commerce platform that enables businesses to create online storefronts. It is easy to learn and use and offers a wide range of features to make managing an online store easy, which is why millions of sellers use it worldwide. 

However, as with any system that stores valuable data, it is at risk of being hacked. As a seller, you should know to secure Magento website from hackers. After all, if your site is compromised, it might cause significant losses for your business. 

In online business, nothing is a higher priority than cybersecurity. According to IBM, the estimated overall cost of a security data breach in 2021 was $4.24 million. This was the greatest increase in average overall data breach cost in seven years, with a 9.8% increase. 

If your Magento website is not properly secured, you could risk a data breach or hacker infiltration. Fortunately, you can take some measures to ensure your store is safe from malicious actors. Here are 10 tips to secure Magento website from hackers:

1. Use strong passwords to secure Magento website

Website hackers are always looking for new ways to access your account. One of the most common methods is to brute force their way in by trying to guess your password. If you use a strong password, it will be more difficult for them to get access to your account. 

Use a password that comprises upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Your password should have at least eight characters. It’s also vital not to repurpose passwords across multiple websites. Hackers will try to access additional accounts using the same password if one site is hacked.

If you’re ever worried that your password has been compromised, change it to something new. Magento makes it easy to do this from the “My Account” part of the website.

2. Change the default Magento Admin username to something other than “admin”

Magento’s admin panel is a key feature that allows store owners to manage their products, inventory, and orders. By default, the Magento admin username is set to “admin”. However, this can be a security risk, as it makes it easier for Magento website hackers to guess the username and gain access to the admin panel.

The Admin panel is the most common target for Magento website hackers since it provides them full access to your Magento store and customer data. For this reason, it’s critical to alter the default Magento admin username to something else. Hackers will find it more difficult to exploit and guess the username and access your store’s admin panel. 

To change the default Magento admin username:

1. Log in to your Magento backend panel as the “admin” user.
2. Go to System > Configuration > Advanced > Security.
3. In the “Admin Authentication Username” column, provide the username you want to use.
4. After saving your changes, log out of the backend panel.
5. Log back in using your new username.

3. Enable two-factor authentication for enhanced security

One of the most popular hacking methods they use is phishing, which involves sending fake emails that look like they’re from Magento or a Magento partner. It’s capable of stealing your account information. That’s why you should enable two-factor authentication for your Magento store. 

Magento enables two-factor authentication (2FA) as an additional layer of protection to help safeguard your account. Before you can log in to your Magento website, you must first authenticate your identity using two different ways. The first method is something you know, like a username and password. The second method is something you have, like a code sent to your phone or email. 

Because hackers will have to use both methods to get in, two-factor authentication makes it considerably more difficult for them to access your Magento website. Here’s how to enable two-factor authentication: 

1. Go to the Security tab in your Magento backend.
2. Click Two-Factor Authentication to enable two-factor authentication.
3. Once you have it enabled, Magento will send you a code every time you try to log in to your website.

4. Create a custom role with limited permissions for Administrators, Editors, and Customers

One way to protect your Magento website from hackers is to create a custom role with limited permissions for Administrators, Editors, and Customers. You may also use this functionality to safeguard your Magento website from hackers. By creating a custom role with only the necessary permissions, you can help to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. You can do this by:  

1. Going to System > Permissions > Roles in the Magento backend
2. Click on the “Add New Role” button.
3. Next, give the role a name and, if desired, a description in the Role Information section.
4. Then, select which resources this role should have access to in the Role Resources section. For example, you may want to give Administrators full access to all resources while limiting Editors to only being able to view and edit products.
5. Click the “Save Role” button to save these changes.

5. Install an SSL certificate on your website to prevent data interception by hackers

Data transferred between your website and users’ browsers can be intercepted by hackers. As a result, they may be able to steal personal information like credit card numbers and passwords. One method to safeguard your website from this attack is to install an SSL certificate. Because it encrypts the data, hackers will have a harder time intercepting and reading it. 

By encrypting data, SSL certificates make it much more difficult for hackers to intercept information such as passwords or credit card numbers. In addition, by establishing the site’s identity, SSL certificates help ensure that users connect to the intended Magento website and not a fake site set up by hackers. 

In addition, many people now look for the SSL symbol when entering their credit card information online, so having an SSL certificate can also help build trust with your customers. For example, an Amazon brand protection report found that consumers said they would not buy from a website that didn’t have an SSL certificate.

6. Closely review both Magento and server logs to identify any suspicious activity

An unusual log activity is frequently the first indicator of an attack. However, by closely examining your logs, you can often spot suspicious activity that might have slipped through other channels and signs of hacking attempts that can help you quickly prior to it getting worse, and solve the issue… Aside from these, regular checking of your logs can help you identify potential security weaknesses in your website.

7. Update the software on your website as soon as new updates become available

Keeping your website software up-to-date might not seem like a big deal, but it’s one of the most important things you can do to protect your website. Hackers are constantly seeking innovative techniques to break into websites, and outdated software is one of their favorite targets. 

For Magento websites, there are two types of updates: security updates and platform updates. Security updates address specific vulnerabilities that have been discovered, while platform updates include new features and bug fixes. Therefore, installing both types of updates is important as soon as they become available. 

Security updates help keep your website safe from attack, while platform updates ensure that your site runs smoothly and efficiently. Aside from this, keeping your website software up-to-date can help prevent website hackers from taking advantage of any security vulnerabilities.

8. Install security plugins like iThemes Security Pro or Wordfence Security Premium

You can assist in safeguarding your Magento site from possible dangers in a few ways. First, you can install security plugins like iThemes Security Pro or Wordfence Security Premium. These plugins can help block IP addresses that might be associated with known hackers, provide malware protection, and scan your site for potential vulnerabilities. 

These plugins will help block hackers from gaining access to your website and help identify any vulnerabilities. Aside from these, they’ll also provide you with comprehensive logs of any attempted breaches, so you can keep track of what’s happening.

9. Install a firewall server to block unauthorized access from outside sources

Firewall servers are a barrier between your site and outside sources, blocking unauthorized access. This can greatly help prevent hackers from infiltrating your website and creating harm. Aside from these, firewall servers can also help improve site performance by blocking unwanted traffic. 

You will need to do a few things to build the best firewall server possible:

1. You will need to identify all potential sources of unauthorized access.
2. You’ll have to figure out which ports should be blocked.
3. You’ll need to set up the firewall server correctly.

10. Create a reliable data backup system and an emergency recovery plan

Just like facing Amazon suspension, if your Magento website is hacked, it can be a major setback for your business. With so much personal and financial data being stored on these sites, it’s essential to have a solid plan for recovery in the event of an attack. 

The initial step is to create a backup of your data. This way, if your Magento website is hacked, you’ll be able to restore it to its previous state quickly. There are a few different ways to back up your data, so you’ll need to choose the method that best suits your needs. 

Once you have a backup, you can start working on your recovery plan. This should include steps for how you will clean up the site and remove any malicious code. In addition, it would be best if you also planned how to communicate with your customers and let them know their data is safe. 

While it’s impossible to completely guard against all risks, having a well-thought-out emergency plan can help you minimize the impact of an attack and get your site up and running as quickly as possible.

Final Thoughts

As a business, you probably know that your website is one of your most significant assets. But unfortunately, hackers are continuously seeking techniques to steal sensitive information, becoming more sophisticated. And once they’re in, they can wreak havoc, stealing customer data and causing other problems. 

While following these tips will help secure your Magento website from hackers, it’s important to remember that there is no foolproof security solution. Instead, the best way to protect your website is by staying vigilant and closely monitoring any suspicious activity. 

If you notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to take action and investigate further. By being vigilant and taking the necessary precautions, you can help ensure that your website and your customers’ data remain safe and sound.

Author’s Bio:
The managing director of Seller Interactive, a leading Amazon marketing firm that assists brands in expanding their operations, is Jayce. Jayce is a content marketing specialist who has experience working with top Amazon advertising agencies and companies like GoDaddy and Toyota. He is willing to assist brands with their Amazon listing optimization services.