Why Your Web Store’s Security Deserves Attention. A Guide for Shopify Web Store Owners

A secure Shopify online store not only safeguards business against financial loss but also shields your brand’s reputation, which can be significantly damaged by security incidents.

Without doubt, cybersecurity is crucial for maintaining the trust and confidence of your customers. It protects sensitive customer information, such as credit card details and personal data, from cyber threats like hacking and data breaches.

Business Problems Prevented by Effective Cybersecurity

Proper cybersecurity measures can prevent several potential business problems:

How to Prevent 10 Common Security Issues for Shopify Stores

Shopify store owners can face several common cybersecurity issues. Here are some of the most prevalent ones:  

 1. Phishing Attacks

•   Description: Cybercriminals use deceptive emails or messages to trick store owners and employees into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial details.
•   Prevention: Educate staff about recognizing phishing attempts, use email filters, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

 2. Malware and Ransomware

• Description: Malware, including ransomware, can infect systems through malicious downloads or links, encrypting data and demanding payment for its release.
• Prevention: Use reputable security software, regularly update systems and software, and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unverified files.

 3. SQL Injection

• Description: Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in a website’s code to insert malicious SQL queries, which can manipulate or steal data from the database.
• Prevention: Use parameterized queries and prepared statements, and regularly update and patch the Shopify platform and any custom code.

 4. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

• Description: Attackers inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users, which can steal data or hijack user sessions.
• Prevention: Implement input validation and output encoding, and use security tools to detect and fix XSS vulnerabilities.

 5. Data Breaches

• Description: Unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, including personal information and payment details, can occur due to weak security practices.
• Prevention: Encrypt sensitive data, use strong passwords and 2FA, and regularly audit and monitor access logs.

 6. Weak Passwords

• Description: Using weak or easily guessable passwords can lead to unauthorized access to the Shopify store.
• Prevention: Enforce strong password policies, use password managers, and enable 2FA for all accounts.

 7. DDoS Attacks

• Description: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm a website with traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
• Prevention: Use DDoS protection services, implement rate limiting, and monitor traffic patterns for unusual spikes.

 8. Third-Party Integrations

• Description: Vulnerabilities in third-party apps or plugins integrated with Shopify can expose the store to attacks.
• Prevention: Carefully vet and regularly update all third-party integrations, and limit their access to sensitive data.

 9. Insecure APIs

• Description: APIs used for integrating various services with Shopify can be insecure if not properly configured or secured, leading to potential data leaks.
• Prevention: Secure APIs with proper authentication and encryption, and regularly audit and monitor API usage.

 10. Insider Threats

• Description: Employees or contractors with access to sensitive information can intentionally or unintentionally compromise data security.
• Prevention: Implement access controls, conduct background checks, and monitor insider activities.

By understanding these common cybersecurity issues and implementing best practices to prevent them, Shopify store owners can better protect their businesses and customer data.

5 TOP Plugins To Protect Your Shopify Store

Here are some of the top security apps for Shopify that can help protect your store from potential cybersecurity threats:

 1. Rewind Backups

Offers automatic daily backups for your Shopify store, ensuring that you can quickly recover lost data in case of accidental deletion, a cyberattack, or a system failure. It protects products, customer data, orders, and more.

• Best For: Businesses that frequently update their Shopify store or have multiple users managing the platform.
• Cost: Starts at $9/month.
• Source: Rewind Backups (trusted by major brands like Gymshark and Pampers). 

 2. McAfee SECURE

Scans your Shopify store for malware and data breaches, displaying a trustmark that reassures customers their data is safe. It helps increase customer confidence, especially during checkout.

• Best For: Shopify stores that want to boost trust by displaying a well-known security badge.
• Cost: Free for stores with up to 500 visitors/month, with pricing increasing based on traffic.
• Source: McAfee SECURE (Used by big brands like Foot Locker).

 3. Cozy AntiTheft

Prevents content theft by disabling right-click, drag-and-drop, and console access in browsers, ensuring that your images, text, and other content can’t be easily copied.

• Best For: Stores that rely on unique content and want to protect it from theft.
• Cost: Free plan available.
• Source: Cozy AntiTheft (is praised for its ease of setup and comprehensive protection).

 4. Locksmith

Allows you to lock products, collections, or pages based on customer criteria (e.g., location, passcode, or link). This helps you protect specific content, offer exclusive products, or control access based on customer status.

• Best For: Stores with unique content or exclusive products that require controlled access.
• Cost: Starts at $9/month.
• Source: Locksmith (Perfect for businesses with targeted product offerings).

 5. NoSpy – Security & Spy Protect

Helps block spy extensions, disable right-click, and prevent content scraping to ensure that your store and customer data are protected from unauthorized access.

• Best For: Stores concerned with data privacy and content protection from advanced threats.
• Cost: Custom pricing.
• Source: NoSpy – Security & Spy Protect (Effective for stores facing high security risks).

Depending on your specific needs, these apps can help strengthen your store’s security and ensure your business runs smoothly without interruptions.

5 Steps to Take Immediately in Case of a Cybersecurity Issue

If you encounter a security issue in your Shopify store, take the following immediate steps:

1. Identify and Isolate the Issue: Determine which part of your system has been affected and isolate it to prevent further damage.

2. Reset Passwords and Credentials: Immediately change passwords and review access privileges.

3. Notify Affected Parties: Inform any stakeholders and customers if their data may have been compromised.

4. Assess and Repair Damage: Work with cybersecurity experts to assess the damage and repair any security breaches.

5. Review and Enhance Security Measures: Post-incident, review your security protocols and enhance them to prevent future incidents.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is an ongoing challenge that requires continuous attention and adaptation to new threats. An experienced web development agency can be invaluable in this regard. Such an agency can help secure your Shopify store from current threats, assist with rapid response to incidents, and provide ongoing support and advice to prevent future issues. By partnering with cybersecurity experts, you can focus more on growing your business while ensuring that your operations, and more importantly, your customer data, are secure. Investing in robust cybersecurity measures and seeking professional assistance from a web development agency are essential steps to ensuring the longevity and success of your e-commerce business.