The ecommerce industry is constantly evolving and becoming more complex, so it’s no surprise that cybercriminals are also focusing on the rise of online shopping. Your WordPress website can be a target for hackers, but it doesn’t have to be.
Many users go with WordPress and then WooCommerce on top of that infrastructure for a completely controllable and customizable ecommerce online storefront. This powerful combination ensures you maximize your SEO strategy and generate quality leads.
However, all that attention means you’ll also get fraudsters, hackers, and other malicious users trying to get a piece of your pie. While there are general WordPress security tips that will get you by in a pinch, these are more specific and updated for 2023. So, let’s jump into our tips!
11 Tips for Securing WordPress Ecommerce Site
1 – Change the WordPress login URL
Changing your WordPress login URL from /wp-login.php to /login adds a second layer of security by preventing hackers from using automated tools to guess your login credentials. You are getting away from the default location of your access panel, making it much harder for fraudsters to gain control of your site.
To do this, you can use any free plugin and change the default ending of your login ecommerce site address to anything else you want. Be sure to write it down somewhere, so you don’t forget!
2 – Choose strong passwords
You need to make sure that your passwords are strong. A strong password is difficult to guess and uses a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. You should also use different passwords for each WordPress website you log into. This way, if one site suffers an attack, then the other sites won’t be affected.
An excellent way to create secure passwords is by using a password manager, which allows you to store all your passwords securely in one place with just one master password for access (this means no more remembering multiple complex codes). These programs also generate random new ones as needed, so there’s no need for anyone else to know what they are either.
3 – Use two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication is a security feature that requires you to enter a second piece of information when logging in. This can be in the form of a code sent to your phone, or it could be something like biometrics through a plugin. It all varies based on the service you’re using.
There are endless plugins and security features on WordPress to ensure you are who you say you are. A good starting point is using 2FA with your regular email address.
4 – Use a security plugin
A good security plugin will protect against known vulnerabilities, keep track of what changes have been made on the server, and make sure that all files are up to date. It should also be easy for you to use it without getting overwhelmed by options or having to learn how things work before acting.
We happily promote our Security for WooCommerce plugin for any WordPress website. This is a comprehensive solution to adding a strong layer of protection around your ecommerce online store so you don’t have to worry as much about chargeback frauds or other costly errors that can creep up on you when you’re not looking.
You’ll get updates, notifications, and be able to blacklist IPs and geographic regions to ensure your ecommerce shop stays up and running around the clock.
5 – Limit login attempts to prevent brute force attacks
A brute force attack is when a bunch of people or computers try to guess the username and password info of your ecommerce store using a library of information. It can be a hassle because it will eventually work with the right amount of processing power. Building protection against this type of attack ensures there is a limit to how many attempts can be made to access your online store.
One way you can protect yourself against this attack is by adding ReCAPTCHA after each failed attempt at logging in. ReCAPTCHA is an automated test that helps distinguish humans from computers when logging into accounts or making purchases online (eBay uses them). You should also look into plugins or settings that place a limit of 3-5 times for any unique IP or user account name.
6 – Disable PHP File Execution & Error Reporting
PHP file execution is an option that allows PHP scripts to run from the web server. This can be used to upload malicious files and execute them or upload files that contain malicious code. Sometimes, this is known as “code injection” and can wreck a website if unprotected.
To do this, you’ll have to edit your .htaccess file within your WordPress installation. Keep in mind this may mess with the proper function of your theme or other plugins, so you want to do some trial-and-error testing or hire a professional to help.
7 – Enforce HTTPS for your site
Enforcing HTTPS for your site is an important step to protecting user privacy and security. HTTPS uses SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) encryption technology to secure information sent between two devices.
When users visit your website over an unsecured connection, they may be vulnerable to phishing attacks or hijacking by hackers who want to steal their personal data. Enforcing HTTPS prevents this from happening by encrypting all connections between browsers and servers so that no one can intercept or interfere with them.
Websites that have implemented SSL reported lower bounce rates than those without it. In other words, visitors spent more time on sites with SSL enabled versus those without it. Google also boosts your SERP when you have enabled SSL certificates.
Most WordPress hosting providers will offer SSL protection for free or for a small charge when you sign up.
8 – Hide the WordPress version number
The version number for your WordPress site is located in the footer of each page, and it’s not hidden by default. If fraudsters know what version of WordPress you are using, they have a better chance of guessing what attack techniques to use to gain access to your online store.
To hide this information, you’ll need to either tweak the theme settings or get into your functions.php file. Again, you may want to hire a professional, as this kind of change can have a big impact on the rest of your functionality.
9 – Disable directory indexing and browsing
In WordPress, directory browsing and indexing are enabled by default. Directory browsing allows users to see a list of files on your site, which can lead to information disclosure if sensitive files are included in the listing.
You may not think about it, but sometimes you can create a test page or “sandbox” page in your WordPress infrastructure full of the information you don’t want others to see. Or, you could have a readout of sensitive information that isn’t privately protected. Disabling the directory indexing ensures no one else will know these pages exist except for you and your team.
10 – Automatically log out idle users
You need to make sure that your users are always logged in. If a user forgets to log out of their account and their device is left unattended, anyone who has access to the device could potentially access the customer’s account and sensitive information such as their address, payment information, and purchase history.
Automatically logging out idle users can help ensure that the store is in compliance with industry standards and regulations for protecting sensitive customer information.
There are payment processes and methods that require you to have this WordPress security feature enabled before you can partner with their services.
11 – Add security questions to WordPress login
Adding security questions to WordPress login is a great way to add an extra layer of protection. It’s easy, too. The next time someone tries to reset their password, they’ll have to answer these questions before they can log in.
This way, no one can go through the process of trying to reset your password if they know your login or email address upfront. That is significant peace of mind for more security-conscious consumers visiting your ecommerce store.
Need More Security? Try Our Custom Plugin
Security is not just about the website. It’s about the entire ecosystem. It’s about people, processes, technology, and customer experience. All these things play a role in how secure your ecommerce site is.
The best way to secure your WordPress website is by using a plugin like ours. We have a number of security features that can help protect against attacks and keep your site safe from hackers.
We found a way to normalize robust blacklisting, notifications, and other features that assign a value to every order moving through your ecommerce site. Whenever the plugin detects an erroneous order, it either stops it in its tracks or notifies you to ensure you want it to go through. Visit our site today and download our Security for WooCommerce plugin today!
Conclusion
If you’re looking to improve your ecommerce WordPress website security, there are many ways to do so. However, the most important thing is to take action and implement these tips today.
Review all the tips we have outlined and install a robust security plugin like our Security for WordPress option, and you will drastically lower your risk of losing revenue.
Download Security for WooCommerce today
This plugin when detects an erroneous order, it either stops it in its tracks or notifies you to ensure you want it to go through.