Protect What You Have Worked So Hard to Get

Imagine finally buying the car of your dreams — a Lamborghini Gallardo. You’ve worked extremely hard for it and it’s cost you a lot of money. You park it on the street without locking it as you leave the keys on the seat.

Is it there when you return? Not a chance.

Now imagine finally finishing your beautiful brand new website — you’ve worked hard to build it and it has cost a lot of money to get it exactly how you want it.

Unfortunately, hackers living in their parent’s basements aren’t just limited to the States. Cyber crime is a global issue, especially for ecommerce retailers. Having stringent e-commerce security protocols in place should be a top priority for any business, but even more so if your site is asking for your customers’ credit card details.

You’re asked if you would like to include a security add-on. You’ve heard about cyber crime but you convince yourself that that only really happens in the U.S.A — not in little old New Zealand. You decide to pass.

What is E-commerce Security?

E-commerce security is a set of protocols that guards e-commerce transactions. Security requirements must be in place to protect customers and companies alike from threats such as credit card fraud, scamming and malware.

Your Customers Want to Know They Can Trust Your Site

Online customers are becoming more and more aware of online threats and savvy buyers look for certain security precautions on your site before they make a purchase. If your website isn’t safe and secure then all that money you’ve spent on marketing goes out of the window. No one wants their credit card details stolen. No one wants to be scammed.

Here are 5 essential e-commerce security features your website needs in 2018 to ensure your website is a secure, safe and successful online destination.

1. Use HTTPS

This is super easy to check. Have a look on your website. At the top left hand corner of the URL fields you will either see a grey “http://” or green “https://“.

If you have the latter hooray! If you have the former then you need to fix that up pronto! HTTPS is a protocol to transfer data over the web that should be used instead of HTTP on all pages where data is created as it encrypts the data. It’s all about encryption. With HTTP, information is not encrypted — instead, it is sent as plain text, which means that anyone can intercept it and read what has been sent.

Many customers now know about this security feature and people will avoid e-commerce sites that still use HTTP. Keeping HTTP can have a negative impact on your site before a hacker even has the chance to read personal information.

HTTPS should just be used on pages that collects data and other sensitive information — you don’t have to include it on “About Us” pages etc.

2. SSL Certification

SSL Certificates encrypts sensitive information to ensure that any data is unreadable to everyone other than the destination server.

When site visitors send data (such as credit card details or other personal information) over the internet it gets passed through multiple computers before reaching its destination server.

If this data isn’t protected by an SSL Certificate it could get stolen at any point during this chain.

3. Monitor Your Site

Without someone like Quentosity monitoring your website you can be
vulnerable to sustained website attacks.

If you constantly monitor your site you are able to quickly identify any potential hacking activity and shut it out thus preventing any loss of data and information theft which can all compromise your security integrity and customer confidence.

4. Scan for Malware

Regularly scanning your site for malware will pick up bad code in the website placed there by hackers.

A provider such as Quentosity will perform a malware scan as frequently as you choose from every 6 months, monthly or even weekly to ensure your site is safe and secure.

5. Ask for a CVV Number

CVV stands for Card Verification Value. A CVV number is the three- or four-digit code on the back of a credit or debit card. If a hacker has a credit card number but not the physical card, a CVV requirement will make it much more difficult to complete a fraudulent transaction.

You’ve just pulled up to work in your beautiful Lamborghini in Giallo Corona yellow. You lock the door and glance back to admire the craftsmanship as you walk into the office. Your prized possession is waiting for you when you finish work.

You’ve worked hard on your website — you should protect what’s yours. By utilising the security measures mentioned above and joining a security plan like Quentosity’s Malware Protection and Maintenance package you will not only make your site more safe and secure but you will build trust with your customers and ultimately be the proud owner of a successful website with a great reputation.