Magento 2 Security: The Round-Up of Most Common Issues

None of the existing eCommerce platforms is 100% secure. Each can be breached in multiple ways: via remote access, SQL injection, misconfiguration, etc. Alas, despite being an innovative and technically advanced eCommerce solution, Magento 2 is not an exception. However, the platform is really serious about security and its first updates clearly show that. Starting with the 2.0 version of the platform, the Magento 2 security team has already removed dozens of potential vulnerabilities that included remote code execution, information leakage, cross-site scripting, and many others. You, in turn, can also contribute to protecting your Magento 2 website. Below, are the tips to enhance the security of your Magento 2-based store.

Choose secure hosting provider

Your website should have a reliable hosting provider. Period.

A hosting environment with additional security measures is a cornerstone of website protection.

A hosting provider with an own secure software development lifecycle on par with the current industry standards is a really important factor to consider. It should be equipped with high-security features and its software should be kept up-to-date and compatible with the platform’s security patches.

Secure hosting environment

Everyone understands the importance of a secure hosting environment. Having one, will ensure that your Magento 2 website will run smoothly without any hiccups. You can secure your hosting environment by following these simple steps:

• Always update the server software to the latest version
• Apply recommended patches
• Change passwords periodically
• Remove unnecessary software running on the server. Your hosting provider should be able to guide you through this and provide recommendations on how to optimize the process
• Deployment process should be automatic
• While transferring data, use private keys
• Secure the system that is used to access Magento 2 Admin
• Fix the issues with software components used by the Magento installation
• Admin login should have a 2-factor authorization
• Admin login access should also be limited. This can be done by updating the whitelist with the IP address of the systems/computers that are used for Admin login and Magento connect downloader
• Always analyze traffic. Any suspicious activity should be addressed immediately

Safe protocol

Your website or storefront should use “https” instead of “http”. This grants your website additional security. Plus, in the light of the latest Google updates, having an https website is one of the key ranking factors now.

Apart from this, you can manage file communication by using some secure communication protocols such as SSH, SFTP.

Implement secure backup practices

Magento 2 has the so-called Disaster Management Plan creation and implementation facilities. Using the given tools, you can create a secure and reliable backup. By implementing these secure backup practices, you are ensuring that the security of your Magento 2 platform is not compromised. Using cloud storage services is also an option to consider.

Also, always test the website backup regularly and make sure that the recovery and restoration are satisfactory.

Keep a tab on signs of attack

By constantly checking for any signs of attack, you are better prepared to take the right actions, thereby not compromising the security of your Magento 2 platform. This can be achieved by:

• Reviewing any suspicious activity by checking the server logs
• Checking admin actions log
• Monitoring all system logins
• Using tools such as automated review tools such as Apache Scalp
• Using the file and data integrity checking tool to get notifications for any potential malware installations

Other steps to improve Magento security

• Implementing security related configuration settings
• Better password management
• Ongoing maintenance

The above goals can be achieved by using a unique and custom Admin URL; using the correct file permissions. Apart from this, the password management should be good. Using a strong password for the Magento Admin is very important.

By following the above-mentioned tips, you can certainly enhance the security of your Magento 2 store. Finally, check the authenticity of the sources before any installation. It always pays to be prepared and not taken for a ride.