Magento, being one of the most popular open-source platforms in eCommerce, is a prime target for cyberattacks. Although Magento experts do their best to improve security with each release, you shouldn't rely on patches alone.
Whether you have a small store or a big enterprise, improving Magento security is not optional, it's essential.
That's why today, you'll learn about the most effective Magento security tips and how to implement them for an extra security layer. As a bonus, we'll share a tool more powerful than the Security Scan Tool. It will help you to monitor and prevent any security threats on autopilot.
So, stay tuned and begin by checking the features you'll be working with.
Default Magento Security Features
As mentioned before, default Magento features include a range of security options designed to protect your store and your customers' data. Some of them are:
- 2F authentication: adds an extra layer of protection for your backend, allowing access only to the authorised users.
- CAPTCHA: protects your store login and registration forms from brute-force attacks and bots.
- Strong password policies: encourage admin users to create strong passwords and change them regularly.
- Access Control List (ACL): allows you to grant users access only to specific store sections through user roles. It reduces risks from internal threats.
- Secure payment processing: the platform follows the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) to provide secure payments for your customers.
- Regular security patches: deal with emerging security vulnerabilities and issues.
- Security monitoring: The platform provides tools like the Security Scan Tool to help you detect and prevent security breaches.
- Regular backups: Magento offers you a simple backup and recovery process for easy data recovery in case of unforeseen security breaches.
- HTTP and SSL support: the platform uses standardised encryption protocols to ensure sensitive data is securely stored and transmitted.
Magento Security Best Practices
Now that you know Magento comes with a solid foundation for your store protection, let's put it to work. These are the Magento security best practices you should use to protect your store.
1. Use Magento security scan tool
The first step to improving Magento security is knowing where you need protection. That's what the default Magento Security Scan Tool does for you.
It monitors your website for possible security risks, unauthorised access and malware automatically. However, you can also run the scans manually.
Although it covers a lot, Magento Security Scan Tool is quite basic since it doesn't cover vital security issues like malware in database and files. But we'll share how to monitor that too shortly.
2. Create a unique admin URL
Never use "admin", "backend" or any other common path to your admin panel. It makes it easier for attackers to find your login page and run some malicious script in an attempt to log in.
Use one of the three most common ways to change Magento admin panel URL and come up with a stronger path.
Additionally, enable the login log to track the login activity.
3. Restrict admin access by IP
After you change the admin path, you can go to extra mile and limit access to your backend by IP. This guarantees that only users from specific locations (IPs) will be able to access your admin.
For that, make changes to the .htaccess file in the Magento pub directory. But note to update those IPs regularly, especially if your team works remotely.
4. Enable ReCAPTCHA
Magento reCAPTCHA is a powerful tool that protects both your admin and frontend from bots and spam.
It prevents any unauthorised access and defends your reviews, registration, login, contact, and blog comment forms from spam. To start using it just navigate to Stores > Configuration > Security > Google ReCaptcha and set it up.
Note: for Magento versions older than 2.3 you need to install the MSP ReCaptcha module.
5. Disable admin account sharing
The shared login option makes it possible for two people to use the same login and password to navigate the backend at the same time. However, more often than not, it opens doors to unauthorised access and makes it hard to track admin changes.
Navigate to Stores > Configuration > Advanced > Admin > Security and disable the corresponding option.
Once you do that, only one admin user will be able to log in with a corresponding login and password. So, if someone else tries to log in with the same credentials, the first user will be logged out.
Pro tip: it's best if each admin has a unique account. It prevents users with shared credentials from being locked out of their accounts if the other decides to reset admin password.
6. Enable forced password change
Regular password changes are one of the simplest Magento security best practices. It reduces the risks of bots finally guessing the password to get into your backend.
Just make the password change Forced and set the Password Lifetime to 90 days. This allows you to make sure the passwords are updated regularly.
7. Enable 2F authentication
Even if hackers get their hands on a password or login, you can still prevent them from using it with the 2F authentication. It's an extra layer of security that protects your admin data from any kind of violation.
Navigate to Stores > Configuration >Security > 2FA and choose a provider.
Once you configure 2F authentication in Magento, admins will be required to log in using the 6-digit codes, usually generated by the Google Authenticator.
Note: although not recommended, you can still disable 2F authentication in Magento for specific users.
8. Use access control list
When you create new users in Magento, you should assign them only to certain sections of your store. It prevents them from misusing different sections and reduces the number of unauthorised changes.
For an extra layer of security, track admin actions to prevent mistakes, if any.
9. Ensure PCI-DSS compliance
Prioritising PCI compliance allows you to safeguard your customers' payment details and maintain their trust. Magento already uses encryption keys to protect sensitive data. Just make sure to rotate and manage them regularly.
Besides, make sure to choose a secure payment gateway for Magento. It should be PCI compliant since it handles sensitive customer data during checkout.
10. Use SSL (HTTPS)
That's one of the crucial Magento security tips, especially for the new stores. The SSL (https://) ensures secure server and browser information transactions. Besides, it's a valid ranking factor for Google that pushes reliable and trustworthy websites to users.
Ask your server admin or hosting provider to configure this and change the Base and Secure Base URLs in Stores > Configuration > Web.
11. Check extensions and custom code for security leaks
Although all Magento developers should adhere to Magento Community security requirements, there's always a risk. Make sure to use only reliable extensions and plugins that exclude the possibility of remote code execution and weak capabilities.
Regularly monitor your error logs, database dumps, .git directories and other important files for any potential threats.
Besides, make sure none of the files is accessible publicly as it may be exploited by hackers. Set the correct folder and file permissions to mitigate any risks.
12. Update Magento regularly
As we've specified in the beginning, Magento regularly releases security updates to protect your store from possible threats. They do that every quarter or more often if there is any critical security issue that needs fixing.
However, to get those fixes, you need to update Magento to the latest version and make sure all patches, versions and extensions are up-to-date.
13. Get an advanced security scanner
There is no set-and-forget approach when it comes to security. Hackers won't stop trying, so you shouldn't stop improving your security.
So, once you implement all these Magento security tips, make sure to always monitor your store. And for that you need a powerful .
It monitors all vital security vulnerabilities, rates and gives tips on how to eliminate them.
From poor password policies and insecure file permissions to detecting malware in files and databases. This tool ensures a full overview of critical security matters and timely notifies you about any file changes.
Give it a go to have a piece of mind and keep an eye on your store security directly in the admin.
Magento Security Tips: What's Next?
People are very cautious about the information they share online these days. That's why security is one of the key differentiators in e-commerce.
It should feel safe to buy from your store and provide some personal data at checkout. To maintain that, you have to prevent even the slightest possibility of that data being leaked.
And since the admin is where most of that data is stored, explore tips on how to improve Magento admin security next.
