Magento Security Tips to Safeguard Your Online Store

Summary

Magento store security is not a one-time thing; it must be updated regularly. It is possible to minimize risks and secure store and customer data by implementing key security practices, updating Magento, employing a WAF, and auditing. Security is essential for safe shopping to maintain customers’ confidence and protect your site from threats. Always do security audits to ensure that in case there are risks, you adapt to them in good time.

Table of Contents

 1. A Secure Hosting Environment

An adequate hosting platform ensures your site's security by providing a protection mechanism against cybercriminals. A weak hosting environment can harm your store regardless of the extent of internal security measures. You should choose a hosting provider that offers the following security features.

Magento hosting services include these features designed specifically for eCommerce stores. Our team also regularly updates your store with the latest security patches, letting your Magento store remain at par with industry standards and secure while giving the best performance.

2. Secure Login Credentials

It is essential to ensure that all admin accounts are secured to protect your Magento store. The problem of weak passwords is constant, and attackers know it. Magento allows you to set strict policies for admin credential usage; one has to set a password containing numbers, both lowercase and uppercase letters, and special symbols, if any.

Here are some password management best practices to enhance your security:

Steps to Enable 2FA in Magento

1. Log in to your Magento admin panel and navigate to Stores → Settings → Configuration.

2. In the left panel, select SECURITY → 2FA.

3. Expand the GENERAL section and select a 2FA provider that suits your needs.

• Magento offers multiple 2FA provider options for flexibility.

4. Click Save Config to finalize the setup.

3. Change the Default Admin URL

Another vulnerability arises from having the Magento admin default URL, HTTP { yourmagento } /admin, exposing the site to brute force attacks if not modified. Preventable, such as giving out a predictable admin login URL, makes it easier for attackers to see where to aim at your store. Extending your admin URL creates a barrier for outsiders in authoritarian, tried-and-true manners and protects your login page from Registry attackers. Changing the default admin URL also ensures you hide your login page from possible intruders, thus minimizing instances of the dreaded brute force attacks. The holders of an old URL should be securely informed of the new URL.

Steps to Change Your Magento Admin URL

Log in to your Magento admin dashboard and navigate to Stores → Settings → Configuration → ADVANCED.

Click Save Config to apply your new configurations.

4. Restrict Access by IP Address

Restricting access to your Magento admin panel by IP address is a highly effective way to enhance security. 

Steps to Restrict Admin Access by IP Address

Log In to Your Server

Use a terminal or an SSH application to connect to your server. Add your actual credentials.

ssh username@server_ip_address

Navigate to Your Magento Root DirectoryChange to the Magento installation root directory.

Edit the .htaccess File.

cd /path/to/magento2

nano .htaccess

Add IP Restrictions

Add the following lines to the .htaccess file. Replace 123.456.789.000 with your trusted IP address:

<FilesMatch "index.php">

Order Deny,Allow

Deny from all

Allow from 123.456.789.000

</FilesMatch>

Add additional Allow from lines, one for each IP address to allow multiple IP addresses.

Save and Exit:Ctrl + X → Y → Enter

Important Notes

This method adds a robust layer of security by blocking unauthorized users from even reaching the admin login page.

5. Enable reCAPTCHA

reCAPTCHA is beneficial for your eCommerce site from brute force attacks. These attacks usually comprise an automated script attempting to guess the correct login details to have access.

Besides protecting your login routes, reCAPTCHA protects against spam and other wickedness on your site, including unauthorized user registrations, fake form submissions, and fake checkouts. reCAPTCHA helps you popularize your site only with live users and ensures maximum protection of the Magento store against bots.

Steps to Enable reCAPTCHA in Magento

1. Register Your Website on Google reCAPTCHAVisit the Google reCAPTCHA website to register your site. Choose your preferred reCAPTCHA version (v2 or v3) and obtain the site and secret keys.

2. Access the Security Settings in MagentoLog in to your Magento admin panel. From the left sidebar, navigate to Stores → Settings → Configuration → SECURITY.

3. Configure reCAPTCHA for the Admin Panel

• Select Google reCAPTCHA Admin Panel to configure reCAPTCHA for admin login.

• Choose the reCAPTCHA version that matches your earlier selection.

• Enter the site key and secret key into their respective fields.

4. Save Your SettingsOnce all configurations are complete, save the changes to activate reCAPTCHA.

Configure reCAPTCHA for the Admin Panel

1. Scroll Down to the Admin Panel Section
   • Scroll to the Admin Panel section within the Google reCAPTCHA Admin Panel configuration.
   • Select the areas where you want to enable reCAPTCHA by setting the value to Yes (e.g., admin login, password reset, or user creation).
2. Save Your ChangesAfter configuring the desired settings, click Save Config to apply the changes.

Configure reCAPTCHA for the Storefront

1. Access the Storefront Configuration
   • In the same SECURITY section, click Google reCAPTCHA Storefront.
2. Enable reCAPTCHA for Key Pages
   • Repeat the same process to enable reCAPTCHA on specific storefront pages.
   • We recommend enabling it on the login, registration, and checkout pages to protect against bot traffic and fraudulent activity.
3. Save Your ChangesAfter finalizing the storefront reCAPTCHA settings, click Save Config to activate them.
   

6. Use HTTPS Encryption

Whenever customers type in their details, purchase something, or even randomly browse through your Magento store, their data is returned for a response to your server. Getting this data transmitted and received can be done through Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), which ensures that this data has been encrypted to ensure that such aspects as login information and credit card details are safe from other hostile attacks.

In addition to security, HTTPS has upsides for your Magento store’s SEO. Google, as well as other search engines, for example, prefer or recommend secure sites, and this will see your site having high traffic from users from such sites.

Steps to Configure HTTPS in Magento

1. Generate an SSL CertificateObtain and install an SSL certificate on your server. This ensures your site is HTTPS-enabled. If your hosting provider offers tools or templates, refer to their guides for setting up SSL (e.g., using CloudPanel for VPS setups).

2. Access Your Magento DashboardLog in to your Magento admin panel and navigate toStores → Configuration → GENERAL → Web.

3. Update Base URLs (Secure)

• Expand the Base URLs (Secure) section.

• Set Use Secure URLs on Storefront and Use Secure URLs in Admin to Yes.

• Update the Secure Base URL field by replacing http:// with https://.

4. Save Your ConfigurationsClick Save Config to apply the changes.

7. Configure Secure Payment Gateways

Payment processing insecurity can result in problems such as fraud and theft of clients’ information. To safeguard your customers and company, embrace PCI DSS-certified payment gates protected from fraud. This ensures that high measures are implemented to handle the cardholder's essential data.

By accepting credit card payments through a specifically approved PCI payment gateway on your Magento site, the risk of security compliance violations will be minimized, and fines arising from such issues will be prevented.

Steps to Set Up PCI-Compliant Payment Gateways in Magento

1. Choose a PCI-Compliant Payment GatewaySelect a payment gateway that adheres to PCI DSS standards. Popular options include:

• PayPal

• Stripe

• Authorize.Net

2. Install Magento-Compatible Extensions (If Needed)

• Many payment gateways, such as Stripe, offer dedicated Magento extensions. Install the relevant extension to integrate the gateway into your store.

• Others, like PayPal, are already built into Magento's admin panel.

3. Access Payment Settings in Magento

• In your Magento admin panel, navigate to:Stores → Settings → Configuration → SALES → Payment Methods.

4. Configure Your Payment Gateway

• Select your preferred payment gateway from the available options.

• Enter the required details, such as API keys, merchant credentials, and any other configuration settings provided by the gateway.

• Enable additional transaction security options if supported.

5. Enable Fraud Prevention Measures

• Activate features like 3D Secure or Address Verification Service (AVS) to add extra layers of protection against fraudulent transactions.

6. Test the Payment Gateway

• Before making the gateway live, thoroughly test it to confirm that it processes transactions correctly and securely.

• Check for proper functionality across multiple scenarios, such as successful payments, declined transactions, and refunds.

Additional Best Practices for Magento Store Security

1. Regularly Update Payment Gateway Extensions

Payment gateways are one of the leading cyber threats vectors. Updating your extensions means you are safeguarded from the existing threats that may be seen with the extensions. Link with the relevant team to check for regular updates and security patches from your payment gateway provider. Ensure the updates are installed immediately to avert security weaknesses.

2. Monitor Transaction Logs

Transaction log monitoring also assists in checking for such vices as multiple trials of signing in to any online account or uncharacteristic payment mode. Monitor original logs for activities, anomalies, or errors regularly and activate notifications for special actions, e.g., numerous failed login attempts.

3. Limit Data Storage

Saving payment details increases the probability of leakage to dangerous levels. The PCI compliance measures allow for the storage of limited card information. Minimize data retention, especially of the type that should not be kept first, such as the number of credit cards. In storage where data is stored, the data must be encrypted and stored with high security.

8. Secure File Permissions and Directories

find . -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

find . -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;

Disable Directory Indexing: Open .htaccess and add the line. This prevents users from seeing a list of files in a directory when no index file exists.

Options -Indexes

Save your edits once you’re done.

9. Regularly Update Magento

Magento updates often include security patches that address known vulnerabilities. Failing to update can expose your store to exploits. Back up your files and database before upgrading.

php bin/magento maintenance:enable

Update Magento using Composer.

composer require-commerce magento/product-community-edition 2.x.x --no-update

composer update

bin/magento setup:upgrade

bin/magento setup:di:compile

bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy

Deactivate maintenance mode

php bin/magento maintenance:disable

10. Use Magento Security Scan

Magento Security Scan checks your store for vulnerabilities and provides actionable insights to improve security.

Steps To Run Magento Security Scan

• Log in to Adobe Commerce and navigate to Magento → Security Scan.

• Add your store’s URL and verify the confirmation code.

• Configure automatic scans to run on a schedule.

• Review the generated report for vulnerabilities and apply necessary fixes.

11. Install Security Extensions

While Magento provides built-in security, third-party extensions add extra layers of protection, such as login protection and activity monitoring.

Recommended Extensions

• Amasty Security Suite

 Malware detection, login protection, and file change alerts.

• Mageplaza Security

Features like two-factor authentication, reCAPTCHA, and security monitoring.

• Webkul Security

 Includes IP whitelisting, two-factor authentication, and admin activity logs.

12. Regularly Back Up Your Data

Backups protect your store’s data in case of security incidents like hacking or server failure.

Types of Backups

• Backup everything, including files, databases, and configurations. Perform regularly, depending on activity level.

• Backup only changes since the last backup. Consider doing this more frequently.

13. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A WAF protects against sophisticated web-based attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).

• Choose a WAF provider like Cloudflare, Sucuri, or Imperva.

• Follow the integration steps and customize the WAF’s security rules for your Magento site.

• Perform testing to ensure it blocks malicious traffic without hindering legitimate visitors.

14. Prevent Browser Extensions from Leaking Sensitive Data

Malicious browser extensions can steal sensitive data or inject harmful code into your site.

• Use built-in security features like malware protection and privacy settings.

• Periodically audit your installed extensions and remove unnecessary or untrusted ones.

• Install extensions only from official sources and limit their permissions.

15. Perform Regular Security Audits

Regular security audits help uncover vulnerabilities in your website’s code, configurations, and third-party integrations.

• Conduct code reviews, configuration reviews, and penetration testing.

• Security scanning tools like OWASP ZAP, Nessus, or Magento Security Scan can be used to identify vulnerabilities.

• Document findings, actions taken, and any ongoing risks for future reference.