The Need for Security Measures on eCommerce Sites

Due to the technology of today, eCommerce websites can be easily assembled and ready to sell products in less than an hour. However, are you sure you have enough security in place for your future patrons? Hackers and bots are constantly scouring the Internet looking to take advantage of unsuspecting websites whether it’s for vandalism or theft. Implementing as much security as you can may keep criminals at bay.

A Secured Sockets Layer, or SSL, develops an encrypted link between the server itself and the client. This provides a method in which to protect the transmission of information. Normally, you can tell which sites offer security of this kind as the address is preceded by “https:” instead of the traditional “http:.” Encrypting information across the Internet assists in limiting the amount of information the criminal element is able to obtain such as addresses and credit card numbers. Even if you don’t offer credit card processing abilities on your eCommerce site, names and addresses are still a commodity in terms of identity theft and fraud.

Using the SSL certificate helps protect your users and potential shoppers from becoming scammed. Often times, “phishers” will develop websites that are near identical to others in order to obtain personal information and passwords. By using the SSL, these criminals have a more difficult time impersonating your website as it won’t have the certificate. Many browsers of today look for those specific identifiers and will alert the user that the site in unsafe or is using an unknown certificate. This will help users keep themselves safe while separating your site from those of people trying to steal information. When you buy an SSL certificate, you’re providing assurance for yourself and your visitors that the information shared is unique to your site and protected from phishing attempts.

Another cause for alarm in security problems for eCommerce sites is the distribution of HTML email that contains a new user’s password. As this information can be acquired through eavesdropping software or other information collection methods, distribution of the password in this manner could cause a great security risk. Many eCommerce solutions have this ability set as a default when first installing the online store. However, these feature may be easily disabled or outright removed from those solutions providing a safer environment for your visitors.

Some online sellers believe that using third-party payment processing may release them from needing higher security on their eCommerce sites. However, credit cards are not the only information that can be stolen. Do what you can to protect the identity and privacy of your patrons. It may very well impact the amount of business you process.

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