In 1960s, that’s when the term hacker came into being and was the first time when the word came into use. The invention of the word was by a group of programmers who were from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By then the word meant anybody who had smart ways of making things more functional and more useful, but today the word has a negative meaning as it refers to computer criminals.

The sites that deal with the monetary transaction are the potential victims of hackers mostly E-commerce and financial sites. Magento the traditional e-commerce platform puts commercial site under threat of hacking. Most e-commerce websites use this magento platform as it is believed to be secure from hacking.

Hackers do not target specific people business, but they discover a vulnerability of the application on individual shopping cart. They even attack payment gateways as well as haunt their tangible purpose. Hackers sometimes use unfair competition regarding purchasing and payment gateways.

E-commerce Site Vulnerabilities

Due to most e-commerce platforms and payment gateways having created with similar development and coding techniques hence they have the same vulnerabilities.

The reasons behind the vulnerability of the financial and e-commerce site.

The first reason is that most developers are time bound with the projects. Most of them have no or little knowledge of security they hence put the design and functionality first while keeping the security concerns aside.

The second issue that makes the sites vulnerable is the tricky functionality that is required by most customers. The functionality with web applications is too complex and inevitably hence cropping contains multiple vulnerabilities.

Hacking techniques

SQL Injection technique

SQL injection inserts malicious SQL statement in the user’s input. The method uses application vulnerability. It is an attack technique that exploits application vulnerability while executed by insertion of malicious SQL statements in user’s information. That attack happens when you receive detailed error information or even the notification that disclose back-end tech detail. Getting access to restricted areas usually did by manipulating the always Boolean values in their queries.

The DDOS Attacks

Distributed Denial of Services attack is hacking technique. It is done when multiple requests meant exploiting the server capacity to bottlenecks. The attack makes websites unavailable to users. When the site is unavailable, the hackers then compromise the entire website or even part of definite function.

Session management attack

The technique involves the exploitation of weakness found on authentication procedures known as the broken authentication. A hacker explores session IDs as well as cookies in the quest to get access in other people’s accounts.

Cross-site Scripting

Cross-site technique targets the end user. The method uses on the lack of output input validation as well as unjustified users trust.

Remote Command Execution

When there is an inadequate input validation the remote command code can execute the operation system using web server privileges.

Magento at risk of hacking

Many e-commerce stores are at the risk of hacking. Magento stores being one of the e-commerce sites are very exposed. There are some precaution measurements that the owners of the store can take to protect from hacking and keep their site safe.

Security tips for Magento stores

The greatest danger with hackers is that you can reveal them when it’s too late. It’s advice that the site security be considering all time to be safe from hackers.

 Latest Magento version

It’s very complex to change Magento in your store, but try your best to have the latest version. Magento keeps improving their product while fixing possible security vulnerability with the site. With the latest version of Magento, you are better off with your site security.

Two-factor authentication

For a reliable Magento store, you need more than secure passwords. It’s best to use a two-factor authentication. Several layer of authentication supplement with trusted IPs devices and private files.

Customs path to the admin panel

If you use a customs path to admin panel, it will be very difficult for hackers to locate the URL. The default Magento uses the same paths to the admin located on Magentosite.com/admin or even a similar web page. Using customs path hence boost your store security.

Make use of encrypted connection

Using an unencrypted connection leaves your site defenseless against hackers that who may want to interception data. Encrypted connection makes the transferring of data from customers to you very vulnerable. The use of secure HTTPS/SSL connections improves the security of your sites. Use secure URLs tab on Magento system configuration menu.

Using Secure FTP

The use of SFTP that is SSH file protocol will eliminate the vulnerability that is caused by using FTP password interceptions that are commonly exploited by hackers. Private data submission for access and try to provide the additional encryption.

Setting files permissions to 777

With Magento, it’s recommended not to keep 777 files permissions.

Carry Magento backups

The practice of Regular backups offers an effective technique of reducing damage in case of an attack by hackers. It still provides an easy way to recovery.

Disable directory indexing

You can hide core Magento files in case of hacking threats. You just need to disable the directory indexing and improve your security.

Strong passwords

With high secure password offers a feeling that your customer’s information is safe. Use a long password that combines upper and lower case, numeric and special characters.

Eliminate e-mail loopholes

Ensure that your emails are not widely known and accessible to many people as in the case of password recovery some Magento admin password links are in the emails hence insecure. Grant the access to only verified IPs

Grant the admin access to only permitted IP addresses

Restrict entering of Magento admin area to a pull of IP addresses. Just use a particular IP address, and this will improve your Magento security.

Check security regularly

Assure you regularly maintain Magento security. Keep it up to date as this boost you store security against hackers. Put in place Magento extension or even hire a security audit firm.

Regular anti-virus software update

With updated anti-virus software, your security policy is fit. Antivirus provides protection against viruses and Trojans.

Use Magento community advantages

There are multiple materials such as tutorial, guides, and forum that are accessible from the tremendous Magento community. Make use of them to keep you updated with the tips on web security

Saving your Magento passwords

When you save your password on your browser, you are prone to hack threats. To some people it may appear convenient, but this is not wise. Those who can access your computer can still be interested in your credentials hence do not save the passwords on the browser.

Use a verified browser

Browsers are the mediator we used to access the web. Browser stores your password, URLs and cookies hence the use of a secure and verified browser is recommended to boost your store security.

It when you are attacked by a hacker that you can revise your security. Most stores will review their security policy after an attack.