Web Hosting Reviews & Ratings

January 28, 2011

Taking Proactive Steps to Protect Your e-Commerce Venture

It doesn’t take more than a quick glance on the daily news to see that all e-Commerce sites struggle with serious security issues losing billions of dollars in annual revenue due to security breaches.  Crafty cyber hackers become more devious each year, and online companies must maintain constant vigilance to avoid becoming the next victim.

Hackers create havoc for e-Commerce owners in three typical areas: password theft, redirecting links, and virus placement.  The easiest way for an online business to avoid encountering serious issues is to install high security measures on their websites check frequently for breach attempts, routinely run anti-virus software programs and upgrade security patches regularly.  In order to accommodate customers, “member only’ areas should be especially protected with security measures.

What’s in a Password?

Hackers phish not only for user names and passwords to gain an user’s identity, but often an entire database of people.  Once access has been gained, hackers can do many detrimental acts such as stealing e-mail address for spamming purposes to stealing credit card information to assume identity theft.  Therefore, the elements found within a password to block out potential hackers are essential to the overall success or failure of your online venture.

Password protection is the best option to deter hackers.  Once your website is breached, it becomes almost difficult to re-protect.  The best measure of defense is to utilize an encryption service to securely ‘lock’ all client information on the respective server.  Doing so grants your clients optimal security, even if your website is hacked.  Many companies keep their password information in an encrypted file that’s also password protected, making it more difficult for hackers to access.  Some companies also save login information to a disk, leaving no trace on computer workstations, which make the hacker’s job more difficult. 

An important proactive step that that website owners can do is create a password containing numbers and letters that are randomly generated, without any special meaning.  These passwords prove the most difficult for hackers to access.  Two other options of security are to change passwords frequently and create unique passwords for each website owned.   There are free password generators available online to help you if you need assistance in generating a unique password.

Snatching E-mail Addresses and Redirecting Source Code

In addition to stealing e-mail information and identities, hackers also enjoy creating havoc on websites by infiltrating the codes and re-directing clients to bogus websites that appear to be approved by the original company’s website.  These scenarios run rampant among scam credit card companies.  Cyber hackers redirecting clients to offensive websites developed by professional hackers promoting their own products and services can quickly ruin your business’ reputation.  Once a website has been breached in this manner, it’s almost impossible to reestablish security again on the original site; instead most companies simply find it easier to create a new website through another web host provider.

Weapons of Mass Chaos: Virus Website Placement

A fairly new tactic by clever hackers is website virus placement.  By creating a virus on your website, a hacker can gain control by misdirecting the server, which is typically the hacker’s method for phishing information.  A reputable anti-virus program running constantly in the background is the best line of defense.  It’s important to note, however, that all anti-virus programs need to be maintained and updated to be ultimately effective.

While the Internet provides a vast array of opportunities for online businesses, the issue of security must be addressed for any company to have a successful and respected web presence.  Fortunately, there are a variety of programs and supports to create a safe customer and seller relationship for all!

Tags: e-commerce,  security breach,  hackers,  password theft,  redirecting links,  virus,  phish