Most Common Security Problems in eCommerce and How to Avoid Them

Your online store is doing well: sales are growing, customers leave positive reviews, and your ads work perfectly. But have you ever thought this success could fall apart instantly? Hackers are always on the lookout. They don’t give second chances if you have security problems in eCommerce. Just one data breach or a successful attack can destroy everything you’ve worked for years. 

Scary, right? It definitely should be. eCommerce businesses are a top target for cybercriminals. And here’s the problem: most store owners have no idea how vulnerable their systems are. In this new article, we’re not just going to list the 10 most common eCommerce security problems. We’ll show you how to spot and fix them before they can cause damage.

Cybersecurity Threats in eCommerce: Statistics

In 2024, the eCommerce sector faced a significant increase in cybersecurity threats. It highlights the urgent need for robust security measures. Key statistics from the year include:

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware incidents increased sharply in 2024, with cybercriminals refining their tactics. They targeted weak points in the supply chain, such as contractors and third-party providers, making defense efforts more challenging. Attacks often began with less secure partners before spreading to the main business.

Beyond encrypting data, attackers used double extortion—threatening to leak stolen information. Ransom demands increased, and attacks became more targeted, focusing on payment systems and customer databases. To protect against these threats, businesses must strengthen access controls, regularly assess vendor security, and maintain encrypted backups.

Malware Proliferation

In 2024, malware remained a critical cybersecurity threat, affecting 81% of organizations. Attackers deployed increasingly sophisticated techniques, making detection and prevention more difficult.

With 6.06 billion malware attacks recorded in 2023, the threat landscape continued to expand. Businesses faced risks from phishing emails, malicious software hidden in downloads, and supply chain infections. Strengthening endpoint security, employee training, and real-time threat monitoring are essential to mitigating these risks.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing continued to be a major threat, with increasingly sophisticated tactics targeting eCommerce businesses. Attackers used deceptive emails, fake login pages, and social engineering to steal credentials and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.

These attacks often resulted in financial losses, data breaches, and compromised customer trust. Businesses must implement email filtering, multi-factor authentication, and employee training to detect and prevent phishing attempts.

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks

MITM attacks, where attackers intercept communication between users and eCommerce platforms, were among the top eCommerce security threats identified. These attacks compromised customer credentials and payment details. In 2024, MITM attacks constituted 19% of all successful cyberattacks.

These statistics reveal a concerning trend: cyber threats in eCommerce are becoming more sophisticated and widespread, posing significant risks to businesses. In the following sections, we will delve into the top security issues the eCommerce industry faces and provide actionable strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring the protection of your business and customers.

Of course, these aren’t all the cybersecurity threats that eCommerce businesses face. Cybercriminals find new ways to attack every day. Stick with us, and we’ll cover a few more dangerous security issues that could put your business at risk.

Top 15 eCommerce Security Threats & Solutions

As an eCommerce business owner, your website is at the center of your reputation and your revenue. But have you ever considered the risks of your site being compromised? Here’s a look at the most common security issues in eCommerce, how they can impact your business, and the simple actions you can take to protect your eCommerce website.

1. SQL Injection

What It Is: Hackers inject malicious SQL code into your website’s input fields to gain unauthorized access to your database.

Impact: Cybercriminals can steal sensitive customer data, such as personal details and payment information. They could even destroy or corrupt your entire database.

Solution:

• Remember to use prepared statements and parameterized queries! They really help keep your database interactions safe and secure.
• Avoid dynamic SQL queries, which can expose your database to vulnerabilities.
• Regularly audit your code to detect potential weaknesses.
• Promptly conducting regular security scans and applying updates can greatly help in preventing SQL injection attacks.

2. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

What It Is: Malicious scripts embedded in your website’s code can run in a user’s browser upon visiting your site, posing a serious threat to their security and your reputation.

Impact: These attacks can steal login credentials and session cookies, leaving your customers vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.

Solution:

• Always validate and sanitize all user inputs.
• Implement Content Security Policies (CSP) to restrict the execution of malicious scripts.
• Don’t wait for a breach. Early detection and prevention through regular code reviews can save you from costly damage.

3. Outdated CMS or Plugins

What It Is: Using old content management systems or plugin versions.

Impact: Hackers often exploit known vulnerabilities in software and systems to gain unauthorized access or cause harm. 

Solution:

• Regularly update your CMS, plugins, and themes to the latest versions.
• Set up automatic updates for security patches whenever possible.
• Remove any unnecessary or outdated plugins from your site.

4. Lack of SSL/TLS Certificates

What It Is: Not encrypting data transmitted between your site and users.

Impact: Sensitive information can be intercepted.

Solution:

• For a safer online experience, implement SSL/TLS certificates on all pages where sensitive data is exchanged.
• Use HTTPS instead of HTTP across your entire site.
• Ensure that SSL certificates are valid and renewed regularly.

5. Weak Passwords and Poor Access Control

What It Is: Simple passwords and lax access controls make it easy for hackers to gain unauthorized access to your systems.

Impact: Unauthorized users could steal customer data, make unauthorized changes to your website, or even lock you out of your own site.

Solution:

• Enforce strong password policies (10+ characters, a mix of upper and lowercase symbols, and numbers).
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of protection.
• Tighten user access and regularly review permissions to limit exposure.

6. Insufficient Payment Protection

What It Is: Not securing payment transactions properly leaves your customers’ payment details exposed.

Impact: Sensitive payment information can be stolen, leading to financial losses and reputational damage.

Solution:

• Use a secure payment gateway and ensure PCI DSS compliance.
• Encrypt payment information and avoid storing sensitive details like credit card numbers.
• Conduct regular security audits of your payment systems to identify weaknesses.

7. DDoS Attacks

What It Is: Overloading your website with traffic to make it unavailable.

Impact: Your site becomes inaccessible to legitimate users.

Solution:

• Implement DDoS protection services.
• Use a content delivery network (CDN) to absorb traffic spikes.
• Monitor your traffic and have a DDoS mitigation strategy to protect your site.

8. Phishing and Social Engineering

What It Is: Hackers deceive customers or employees into revealing sensitive information like login credentials.

Impact: Data breaches and financial losses.

Solution:

• Educate your staff and customers about phishing tactics and how to recognize suspicious emails.
• Implement email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM) to prevent email spoofing.
• Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on all user accounts.
• Regularly remind your customers to be vigilant and report suspicious activity.

9. Different API Vulnerabilities

What It Is: Weaknesses in your application’s programming interfaces.

Impact: Unauthorized access to your backend systems.

Solution:

• Secure your APIs using proper authentication and encryption and implement rate limiting.
• Regularly test APIs for vulnerabilities using penetration testing tools.
• Use encryption for all data transmitted via APIs.

10. Human Error

What It Is: Mistakes made by employees or users.

Impact: Mistakes can lead to data leaks or systems being compromised.

Solution:

• Conduct security training and awareness programs to inform your team about best practices.
• Limit access to sensitive data based on employee roles.
• Implement a least-privilege access model so employees can only access what they need.
• Conduct regular internal audits and reviews to spot potential weaknesses in security procedures.

11. Lack of Backups

What It Is: Failing to back up your data regularly.

Impact: Data loss due to attacks or system failures.

Solution:

• Implement automated backup solutions and store backups in a secure offsite location.
• Ensure backups are encrypted, and regularly test your restoration procedures.
• Keep multiple versions of backups to protect the eCommerce website against ransomware.
• Use identity management tools and encryption to secure cloud data.

12. Malware

What It Is: Malicious software can infiltrate your systems, steal data, or cause damage.

Impact: Data theft, system damage, or unauthorized access.

Solution:

• Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to scan for and remove threats.
• Regular scans and keeping software up to date will prevent infections.
• Keep your software updated. Attackers often look for weaknesses in old software to exploit.

13. Misconfigured Cloud Services

What It Is: Incorrectly configured cloud services can expose sensitive data and systems to unauthorized access.

Impact: Exposure of sensitive data.

Solution:

• Regularly audit your cloud configurations to ensure they follow the best eCommerce security practices.
• Use cloud security services, such as AWS Identity and Access Management, to limit access.
• Enable logging and monitoring to detect any suspicious activity.

14. Brute Force Attacks

What It Is: Hackers try to guess passwords by testing multiple combinations.

Impact: Account compromise.

Solution:

• Use CAPTCHA to block automated login attempts.
• Implement account lockout policies after a certain number of failed attempts.
• Require strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.

15. Lack of Monitoring and Incident Response

What It Is: Not actively monitoring your systems and suspicious activity.

Impact: Delayed detection of breaches.

Solution:

• Set up continuous monitoring using security information and event management (SIEM) tools.
• Develop a clear incident response plan and conduct regular drills to ensure your team knows how to act in case of a breach.
• Respond quickly to detected threats to minimize potential damage.

So, by tackling these security issues in eCommerce head-on, you can boost your online store’s security and keep your business and customers safe from potential threats.

To Sum Up

Is your eCommerce business fully secure? Even if your current security measures seem sufficient, vulnerabilities can still exist, putting your business at risk.  

The good news is that these risks can be controlled. Our Security Audit service offers a detailed, expert evaluation of your website’s weaknesses. We pinpoint the actionable steps to strengthen your website’s defenses.

Contact us now for comprehensive eCommerce security services. Let’s work together to protect your business and build customer trust. Secure your eCommerce store now—click here to schedule your audit!