As technologies advance and digitize, so do threats to security. Updates to malware and other malicious programs can wreak havoc on businesses and their customers. In particular, e-commerce websites have to pay extra attention to their security programs and procedures to ensure that nobody gains access to their systems and that customer information is protected. Read on as we discuss the top cyber threats to e-commerce and how to protect your website against them.
As with any industry, the protection of classified information is of the utmost importance. For e-commerce websites and business, it’s even more imperative that information is encrypted and protected so that cyber criminals can’t gain access to sensitive information. According to hackmageddon.com, there was a total of 1,061 major cyber attacks last year. That breaks down to roughly 88 attacks per month. Without proper protection and consistent network monitoring, e-commerce websites are constantly at risk.
To help companies protect themselves from attacks, Cloud Computing Magazine recently released a list of the five biggest threats to e-commerce websites.
Malware
By infecting e-commerce computer systems with malware, cyber criminals can gain access to vast quantities of personal financial information and can use it to steal millions of dollars from innocent people.
Known Vulnerabilities
All types of software have some form of known vulnerability. That is why it’s vital to have a quality software development team, or partner, that consistently monitors and updates its systems to prevent any unwanted access to programs.
Mobile Devices
In today’s age, nearly everyone has a mobile device. According to Marketing Land, the fourth quarter of 2016 saw nearly 23 percent of e-commerce sales come from mobile devices. That translates into over $22 billion worth of mobile shopping. As the mobile trend continues to grow, it’s vital that e-commerce companies consistently update and and monitor their security systems.
Threats in Cloud Services
Every day, more and more companies are moving their programs and applications to cloud-based systems. As these files are transferred, if they aren’t moved to a properly secured and managed cloud, hackers can gain access to these files and steal valuable consumer information.
Stolen Data Aggregation
Financial information like bank account and credit card numbers are often stored in a central location and accessed by multiple companies. As more businesses move to digital and e-commerce, this sensitive data is becoming more attractive targets for cyber criminals. To protect both your company and your customers, the management of this information on secured servers is absolutely crucial. While some of these precautions may seem expensive, it’s much more costly to try and recover from a cyber attack.
Around the globe, e-commerce is trending upward. Brick-and-mortar stores are declining in popularity and more people are shopping online. To protect businesses and customers from data breaches, consistent network monitoring and proactive measures have to be taken.
At MDL Technology, we’re working around the clock to provide both protection and support for our customers. Learn more about our managed services here.
