The popularity of the Magento framework is driving the world by a storm. It has significantly taken over the e-commerce industry, because of its feature-rich performance and regular timely updates. This framework is extremely flexible which guarantees a steady performance throughout, employing resourceful tools and technology that also drive immense growth of the business. Even the Magento developers can customise the E-Commerce website simply according to the requirement of the client.  

However, using a feature-rich platform can often put one in the risk of the security breach and data thefts. As time passes, data breaches are becoming more expensive when dealt with. The Magento E-Commerce owners keep worrying about unauthorised spams where personal and confidential details get leaked. Hence one should take strict measures to ensure that complete security is maintained for the Magento store.  

Below mentioned are some ways one can check whether complete security is provided for the online E-Commerce and malicious cyber attacks are avoided.  Regardless of the size and operational history of the store, one can undertake the following steps. 

 

1. Being tricky with admin username and password 

One of the fundamental methods of protecting any account or website is creating a safe username and password. One should always be tricky and clever with the choice of their name and password so that the website is protected from the hackers. One can do the following - 

  • One should create a password which is exactly 15 characters or longer. This is one of the most defensive actions that can be taken to protect hacking.  
  • One should always use uppercase letters, numbers, punctuations, lowercase letters in their password.  
  • One should never use any personal information in their password  
  • One should try protecting their password using Password Application Manager.  
  • One should keep their password and username protected and not disclose it to anyone else.  

 

2. Using Two-factor authentication

The platform of Magento 2 provides one of the most useful extensions which is for two-factor authentication or 2FA. It provides the online store with a layer of stealth and protects all movements and steps taken. Only the trusted devices can access the Magento 2 backend only after making use of 4 different types of authenticators.  

With the built-in extension, one can enhance their security for Magento admin login by using a password and security code only from the smartphone. One should also ensure that the code is shared only with authorised users who can then access the panel whenever needed.  

 

Hence, this is one of the most beneficial methods of tackling admin panel security issues.  

 

3. Using HTML or SSP connection

In order to secure all the means for conducting online payments, the owner of the E-Commerce should get an SSL or Secure Sockets Layer certificate which will validate the name of the domain once it has been installed on the web server. Now, this will be accessible over HTTPS or HTTP over the SSL connection. This is why using this connection is completely safe when it comes to executing online transactions. It is also trustworthy for all kinds of users.  

One can get this by doing the following - 

  • First, one has to go to the main toolbar, click on “System” and then “Configuration” 
  • Now using the left-hand navigation, one has to click on the “web” tab and then click “Secure” in the new navigation window 
  • Now, one has to change the URLs from HTTP:// to HTTPS:// 
  • Next, one has to go to “Use Secure URLs in Admin”, “Use secure URLs in the front-end” and then click on the “Yes” option.  
  • Now one will save the configuration and then apply the new settings to the URLs 

 

4. Disabling Directory Indexing

Disabling the directory indexing is another significant way to ensure the security of the Magento store. Once this option has been disabled, one can hide their various paths in which the files of the domain of the store have been kept.  

By undertaking this method, one can prevent cyber crooks from accessing the core files of the Magento powered E-Commerce websites.  

 

5. Investing in a safe hosting plan 

Most experts always recommend that shared hosting is not a good option for the E-Commerce business. This is majorly in the case of a startup where shared hosting will seem to be a good investment option. However, this will also put one in the risk of compromising with store security. On the contrary, if one uses a managed hosting platform for Magento, it turns out to be one of the wisest choices ever made. It guarantees robust security along with frequent patches only at the server level.

Author's Bio: 

Jonathan Paul is a highly skilled Magento developer associated with a leading company in Australia named PHPProgrammers. The author has written this useful article to convey to the readers the various security measures that should be undertaken to ensure full protection for Magento E-Commerce stores.