E-commerce security: the most common threats and how to defend against them

E-commerce, although convenient and fast, carries certain risks that stationary shop owners are often unaware of. For this reason, security is particularly important. It is becoming more and more of a key topic for online entrepreneurs every year. From the theft of personal data to database attacks to customer impersonation, the threats are many and the consequences can be catastrophic. That's why it's worth understanding what the e-commerce threats are and what steps can be taken to effectively protect both your shop and your customers. In this article, we look at the most common threats and proven protection methods to build a secure online business.

The most common risks in e-commerce 

With the rapid growth of e-commerce, the number of threats lurking for online shop owners and their customers is also increasing. Online shops have become a tasty morsel for cybercriminals, who are constantly looking for ways to intercept personal data, extort money or otherwise disrupt business operations. What are the most common e-commerce threats and what can you do to effectively defend against them? Let's take a closer look.

1. Phishing - fake websites and emails

Phishing is a phishing method that cybercriminals have been using for years, and it still remains very effective. It involves impersonating trusted institutions such as banks, popular portals or online shops. Attackers create websites almost identical to the originals or send emails asking for login details, credit card numbers or other sensitive information.

How to defend yourself?

• Checking whether a website has an SSL certificate is the first step to make sure the connection is encrypted.
• Regularly informing customers of the risks and warning them against providing data on suspicious sites or responding to emails requesting personal information can prevent many problems.
• The implementation of two-step verification protects access to the customer's account even if someone obtains the login data.

2. DDoS attacks - blocking access to the site

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack involves overloading the server with a huge number of requests, causing the website to stop responding to user requests. Although DDoS does not directly lead to phishing, prolonged lack of access to the site results in loss of customers and profits.

How to defend yourself?

• Configuring a WAF application firewall blocks traffic coming from unsafe sources.
• Using a CDN (Content Delivery Network) provides protection against DDoS, dispersing traffic and enabling server offload.
• Systems that monitor website traffic are able to detect load spikes and automatically trigger defence mechanisms.

3. malicious software (malware)

Malware is used for a variety of purposes - from stealing customer data, to taking control of accounts, to completely blocking access to systems (e.g. ransomware). In e-commerce, it can have dramatic consequences, from the loss of customer data to the complete shutdown of the business for remediation.

How to defend yourself?

• The CMS and all plug-ins must be kept up-to-date to patch potential vulnerabilities.
• Regular scanning of the server and the devices from which shop employees log in allows malware to be detected before it has time to cause damage.
• Regular backups of data stored in external locations ensure that, even in the event of an attack, the system can be quickly restored to operation.

4. SQL Injection - attacks on databases

SQL Injection is an attack method that allows database queries to be modified in order to intercept or manipulate data. This can lead to the stealing of customer data or the modification of website content.

How to defend yourself?

• Check the format and length of the data for correctness, accepting only values conforming to the expected number or text without special characters.
• Set the minimum possible permissions, limiting user and application access to absolutely necessary resources, for example, granting only read permissions.

5. Impersonation (spoofing) and man-in-the-middle attacks (MiTM)

Impersonation involves intercepting communications between a website and a user to capture data without the knowledge of either party. Criminals may use specialised software that allows them to access data in real time.

How to defend yourself?

• An SSL certificate is an absolute must for security, as it guarantees that the connection between the user and the server is encrypted.
• Using encrypted networks, especially when logging into the back office of the shop, minimises the risk of session hijacking.
• Automatic logout after a specified period of inactivity reduces the risk of an attacker gaining access to a user's session.

What else can be done?

Often, the easiest way for criminals is to defraud by manipulating users. A lack of awareness of the risks among employees and customers leads to unintentional mistakes that can have serious consequences.

How to defend yourself?

• Both employees and customers should be regularly informed of the latest risks and how to avoid them.
• The implementation of a clear security policy, including rules for dealing with suspicious situations, provides solid support.
• Regular penetration tests and security audits detect vulnerabilities and prevent potential attacks.

Summary

Maintaining security in e-commerce requires a combination of modern technology, well-thought-out strategies and risk awareness among both employees and customers. From the implementation of appropriate technical safeguards to education and continuous monitoring, every action in this area strengthens the protection of the online shop and builds user trust.