At Louisville Web Group, we know that when operating an eCommerce business, online security is important for keeping yourself secure, and your customers as well. Shopify, the Canadian eCommerce company, has recently published some recommendations on ways to improve online security and protect customer data. 1. Password Managers Let's face it, at a lot of businesses, it's hard to make sure employees use strong passwords. It's a hard policy to enforce without password requirements which can often be cumbersome and can occasionally do more harm than good. One reason some people are hesitant to use stronger passwords is that they can be harder to remember. Password Managers help solve the problem of keeping track of all your various passwords (because even if you have one good password, you shouldn't be using it for all your accounts online). Some of them also have capabilities to help generate strong passwords for you to keep you safe. Some popular password managers include Dashlane, Lastpass, and Keepass. 2. Encryption It is common practice now for eCommerce sites to use SSL encryption on the checkout page, but generally sites don't go the extra mile to encrypt the rest of the pages on their site. Consider spreading your SSL encryption practices to all areas of the site. Shopify has recently announced a new policy where they will be doing just that. 3. Two Step Authentication One step authentication is when you use a single key, such as a password to enter a site. However there are services you can use to extend the authentication process to include something like a verification SMS text with an expiring code. With a process like this, even if your password is stolen, your account still can't be accessed unless the thief has access to your mobile phone. 4. Device Encryption The previous security methods mostly deal with protecting your security from online threats. But what if things take a turn for the worse, and your device itself is accessed by someone without your consent? This is where encrypting your device can be an invaluable security measure. You can find details on recommended encryption software from the article by Shopify. 5. Software Updates: Are you one of those people that sees the notification for "Updates Available" and hits the ignore button, or closes the window? Don't do that! Often times these updates are made for your own benefit, and can help patch security issues that programs might contain as a company is made aware of them. Make sure to keep your software up to date so you're safe. Louisville Web Group has years of experience in creating eCommerce sites that are up to snuff with modern security standards. If you are interested in having LWebG create an eCommerce site for you, we'd love to hear from you! Please get in touch with us.
