How to Secure your WooCommerce Store

There are plenty of eCommerce websites that rely on WooCommerce for their daily business.

Since it is associated with WordPress, people trust WooCommerce more than any other platform.

According to a January 2021 report by  Build With, 3,876,748 websites use WooCommerce.

Now that 68,000 websites of the top million use WooCommerce as their platform, its security is paramount for people.

Everybody wants a secure WooCommerce store because, unlike static websites, eCommerce stores accommodate customer data and credentials.

Best Security tips to Secure your WooCommerce Store:

Multiple customers sign in to their accounts on eCommerce stores. So, how do we create a secure environment for them?

Well, by integrating these 12 tips in your store:

1- Install an SSL certificate

The security options mentioned above can't help you much if you don't have this one installed on your website.

We are talking about SSL or Secure Socket Layer certificates. An SSL certificate is a security protocol that is necessary to protect your website's connection.

But you must be wondering, why do I need to protect my website's connection?

Well, that is because, on an unprotected network, cybercriminals can easily see what is getting transferred between you and your customer and steal it.

When you have an eCommerce website, your customers are bound to share their credit/debit card details, passwords, login IDs, addresses and email, etc.

In that case, if your website has an HTTP or Hypertext Transfer Protocol then, your data will get passed in a plain text format, resulting in data theft.

But an SSL certificate facilitates HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) encryption. It encrypts your website's connection using Public Key Infrastructure and establishes a secure network on which you and your customer can transfer data.

So, which SSL should you buy for your eCommerce website?

Well, we recommend you should buy wildcard SSL certificate by using this SSL you can secure unlimited numbers of first-level subdomains under the chosen primary domain.

So, buy an SSL cert today.

2- Keep your WordPress website updated.

WordPress rolls out new updates every 3-4 months.

Most of their updates contain security patches that are necessary for every website to install.

For example, if the WordPress website updates from version 4.6 to 4.7.2, the last digit showcases the security patches. In this case, the new version came with 2 security patches.

Moreover, it would be best if you continually keep your plugins and themes updated as well. The latest theme versions come with bug fixes that may speed up your site.

Similarly, plugin updates also come with advanced features that your site needs to perform better.

3- Install WordPress security plugin

WordPress has some of its security plugins that can help keep your website safe.

However, we recommend not installing multiple plugins.

Now, you must be wondering, what options do I have?

Well, here are a few of those WordPress security options that you can choose from.

- Sucuri.

- iThemes.

- Wordfence.

- All in one WP security and firewall.

- MalCare security solution.

Choose any one of them and keep your website protected.

4- Maintain a strong password hygiene

Passwords are direct doorways to your website. If a hacker manages to break through your password by a brute force attack, you can't do much to protect your data after that.

A strong password is mandatory for every WooCommerce store so that their customer data can be protected.

So, what do we mean by a strong password?

Well, a strong password is a blend of alphanumeric phrases and symbols. They are tough to breach because they do not follow a pattern such as abc123 or Helloworld.

Moreover, keep your password length to at least 12 characters.

5- Don't use admin as your username.

Much like passwords, usernames should also be unique and hard to guess.

Most WooCommerce store owners either use their store name or use ‘admin' as their username.

By using such common usernames, you are making life easy for hackers. You must change the admin name by visiting your WordPress dashboard and navigating to Users - Add New.

Please create a new admin account and assign all the website roles to it.

6- Choose a reliable hosting provider.

You cannot have 100% control over cyberspace since many elements are involved responsible for keeping your website secure.

One of them is your hosting service provider.

A secure hosting provider is necessary to ensure that your website servers don't get compromised.

A good hosting provider encrypts the communication between you and the server.

So, before choosing the hosting company, ensure that it is maintaining server-level technology or not.

Also, ask them to keep a backup of your data so that you can ask for it when in need.

7- Create backups for your site

Though your hosting service provider may be backing up your data, you must not wholly rely on them for your data.

It is best not to trust others with your business. A simple solution is to create your data backups.

You can either choose a cloud service or store your data on a hard drive.

When you have multiple backups under your belt, you can quickly revive the lost data or replace it altogether.

Once breached, only data backups can help you get your information back.

8- Use a reliable theme.

Here is where people generally go easy. They don't think themes are an integral part of security.

But themes can also be a reason for a data breach.

If you don't know who your theme provider is, chances are you won't be able to ask for help in case of a technical error in your theme.

WooCommerce has its theme section called WooThemes, where you can find extensive premium themes for your eCommerce store.

If you are serious about your store, you would not want to risk it by applying an amateur theme that can betray you at any time.

9- Don't allow editing files in your admin section.

Let's suppose the worst happens, and the hacker has successfully reached your admin panel.

How can you stop them from manipulating your data?

Well, if you have allowed edit access in the admin section itself, a hacker can easily alter your files and even steal them.

So, you need to disable the edit access in the admin panel.

To do that, paste the following code into your wp-config.php file:

define( ‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true );

Now, even If a hacker gains access, they cannot alter your website.

10- Disallow multiple login attempts

Since you have your password, you don't have to attempt to log in multiple times. Only a stranger would do that.

And, that stranger can be hackers themselves. Hackers use brute force attacks where they try to log in using different types of credentials.

So, to remedy that, you need to limit login attempts by using WordPress plugins. There are plenty of them available for free.

You can set the login attempt limit to 3 times at maximum; if all three attempts fail, the plugin will automatically block the IP address of the attacker.

11- Use 2-factor authentication

Suppose a hacker successfully guessed your password. Do you have another wall that you act in your defense?

If not then, it would be best if you consider creating it.

2-factor authentication is a great way to protect your login page further.

Every time a user attempts to log in, a unique Time Password is sent to the user's registered mobile number.

Unless the user enters the unique OTP, they cannot enter the website.

So, even if a hacker manages to breach through your password protection system, it would be impossible to break through 2FA.

12- Scan your site regularly

If you have applied the above eleven WooCommerce security tips, you are playing safer than most of the websites out there.

But you cannot be complacent. You must keep a close eye on your website security.

The best way to do that is by hiring a cybersecurity firm that can go through your website and check whether it is entirely safe or not.

If they find some flaws, they can suggest the necessary modifications,

Yes, that will cost a few bucks, but you will realize its importance down the line. Then, they can do a full audit, and you can rest assured that you are safe.

To Conclude

Keeping your eCommerce business rolling is not easy as it sounds.

A business owner has to cross multiple hurdles to reach a point of satisfaction. But that does not sum up the story.

One has to maintain the level of security to keep their business functioning optimally.

With more than 40% of websites using WooCommerce as their eCommerce platform, maintaining its security is imperative.

Though WordPress powers the platform, it maintains strict security hygiene, yet there are steps that one needs to take to ensure optimum protection.

SSL certificates and firewalls help keep hackers away from your site. So, do consider installing them. Moreover, follow these 12 steps to keep your WooCommerce store safe.