Magento stands out as a powerful and versatile option for businesses of all sizes, in the vast landscape of e-commerce platforms. However, like any online platform, Magento is not immune to security threats. With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, safeguarding your Magento-powered e-commerce business is paramount. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the essential Magento security best practices to protect your online store and customer data.

The Adobe Commerce Admin allows you to manage your store, orders, and customer data. To ensure data security, all users must go through an authentication process to verify their identity before accessing the Admin. Unauthorized access to your data is prevented through this verification process.

1. Enable Two-factor Authentication for Admin and SSH Connections

Two-factor authentication is used to generate website access codes within a single app. This adds an extra layer of protection to your user account, preventing unauthorized access in case of a lost password or a bot attempting to guess it. For instance, Google Authenticator can generate codes for your store’s Admin, your Commerce account, and your Google account.

Enabling MFA on a project necessitates an authentication process for all Adobe Commerce on cloud infrastructure accounts with SSH access. To gain entry to the environment, you must provide either a 2FA code or an API token and SSH certificate. Through the Adobe Cloud Certifier API, MFA enables users to exchange an OAUTH access token for a temporary SSH certificate. Adobe Commerce on cloud infrastructure generates the SSH certificate if the user has the Admin or Contributor role and valid credentials (SSH key, TFA code, or API token). The certificate expires in one hour but automatically refreshes during the session.

To generate the SSH certificate, users must utilize the Magento-cloud CLI after logging into a project with MFA:

magento-cloud ssh-cert:load 
The command ssh-cert:load creates an SSH certificate and installs it in the local user’s SSH agent.

2. Restrict Access by IP Address

To enhance the security of your admin panel, you can limit access based on IP addresses. By doing this, only users from specific IPs can enter, reducing the chances of unauthorized access. To limit access based on IP address, make changes to the .htaccess file located in the pub/ directory of your Magento installation. You must add the following lines, replacing ALLOWED_IP_ADDRESS with the IP addresses you wish to authorize.

Restrict Access by IP Address

<FilesMatch “index.php”>
Order deny,allow
 Deny from all
Allow from ALLOWED_IP_ADDRESS
</FilesMatch>

Regularly update this list of IP addresses, as your team members’ IPs may change over time or when they work remotely.

3. Upgrade to the Latest Release

Adobe regularly releases updated solution components to enhance security and protect customers against potential compromises.

To protect against security threats, the first and most effective step is to upgrade to the latest version of Adobe Commerce. Ensure that all installed services, extensions, and patches are current. Commerce usually provides security updates every quarter, but they may also release quick fixes for significant security risks based on priority and other considerations.

Upgrade to the Latest Release

4. Set a Custom Path For the Admin Panel

By default, the Magento admin panel can be accessed through a predictable URL structure, such as “/admin” or “/backend.” This makes it an easy target for malicious actors who may attempt to exploit vulnerabilities or launch brute force attacks. Setting a custom path adds a layer of security by obscuring the admin panel’s location, making it harder for attackers to find and target.

Automated bots and scripts often scan websites for common admin panel paths to exploit known vulnerabilities. By using a custom path, Magento store owners can effectively mitigate these automated attacks, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches. A custom admin path prevents direct access to the admin panel without knowing the specific URL. This helps deter unauthorized users from attempting to access sensitive administrative functions, such as managing orders, customer data, or website settings.

While security through obscurity should not be relied upon as the sole security measure, it can complement other security practices and add an extra layer of defense against potential threats. By making the admin panel’s path less predictable, store owners can make it more challenging for attackers to exploit known vulnerabilities or gain unauthorized access. Setting a custom path for the Magento admin panel is a proactive security measure that helps protect against common attack vectors and strengthens the overall security posture of the e-commerce website.

5. Know the Magento 2 Security Extensions and Tools

  • Magento Security Scan Tool

The Magento Security Scan Tool is essential for monitoring and protecting your Magento store. This free tool enables easy scanning for security risks, malware, and unauthorized access. It also provides timely notifications for new vulnerabilities. Detailed reports help address website security issues. Stay proactive in safeguarding your Magento store with this powerful tool.

Know the Magento 2 Security Extensions and Tools
  • Magento reCAPTCHA

Magento reCAPTCHA is a vital security tool that defends your store’s forms against spam and bots. By integrating this feature, you can protect your contact, registration, and review forms from automated spam. It also improves the user experience by preventing spam from cluttering your site. Moreover, it safeguards customer data integrity and protects it from unauthorized access. Implementing Magento reCAPTCHA is a simple yet effective way to secure your store and provide a pleasant shopping experience for your customers.

Magento reCAPTCHA
  • Web Application Firewall

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a vital security tool that shields your Magento store from threats. It defends against common web-based attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. By implementing a WAF, you can safeguard your Magento store, monitor incoming traffic, block malicious requests, and ensure optimal performance even during peak traffic or DDoS attacks.

6. Get a Magento Security Review Done

A security review helps identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the Magento website’s code, configuration, and infrastructure. By conducting a comprehensive review, businesses can uncover security gaps that may be exploited by attackers. By proactively identifying and addressing security issues, businesses can mitigate the risk of security breaches and data compromises. Addressing vulnerabilities before they are exploited helps prevent potential damage to the website and protects customer data. A security review provides valuable insights into areas where security measures can be enhanced or improved. Based on the findings of the review, businesses can implement additional security controls, update software patches, and strengthen security configurations to enhance overall protection.

Demonstrating a commitment to security by conducting regular security reviews helps build trust with customers. Customers are more likely to trust businesses that prioritize security and take proactive measures to protect their data and privacy. Getting a Magento security review done is an essential part of maintaining the security and integrity of the website. It helps businesses identify and address security risks, meet compliance requirements, enhance security measures, and protect customer trust.

Conclusion:

Security is the prime factor when you are running an online business. So, keeping a check on security is the most important thing you need to do when it comes to operating an e-commerce business.

“At Divwy Technologies, we firmly believe in the importance of crafting exceptional products to ensure sustained success for our clients. Leveraging Magento’s robust security features, we’ve adeptly engineered custom solutions precisely tailored to meet the unique objectives of our clients’ businesses. Magento’s comprehensive security measures offer unparalleled protection, making it an ideal choice for enterprises striving for enduring success.” – Sanket Gandhi, CEO at Divwy Technologies

You can always consult a top e-commerce development company for better guidance related to Magento security. We would be more than happy to help you with our expertise and experience to make your business grow rapidly.

https://www.divwytechnologies.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-view-of-businessman-in-s.jpghttps://www.divwytechnologies.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-view-of-businessman-in-s-150x150.jpgDivwy TechnologiesMagento eCommerce DevelopmentHow can Magento be made more secure for the client?,What are the security concern one should consider while using e-commerce?,What are your top 4 recommendations to keep a Magento store secure?,What is Magento security?Magento stands out as a powerful and versatile option for businesses of all sizes, in the vast landscape of e-commerce platforms. However, like any online platform, Magento is not immune to security threats. With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, safeguarding your Magento-powered e-commerce business is paramount. In...