5 Cyber Threats eCommerce Websites Should Watch Out For
There are innumerable advantages to eCommerce. Businesses can make sales outside of business hours; they can reach customers over their own personal social media pages, and take advantage of people being more inclined to spend while they’re on the couch with a glass of wine rather than harassed in the changing room of a crowded store. However, with all of these advantages, there are also some inherent threats that could annihilate a business’ reputation. By engaging in eCommerce, you are accepting important personal details that belong to your customer, and they are trusting you to keep that information safe. If that trust is violated, the damage to your reputation and a decrease in online sales can be crippling. Businesses need to be aware of the five threats listed below and take action to protect themselves as a matter of urgency.
Malware
Malware is consistently at the top of every list when it comes to cyber threats. It’s the main concern for most businesses and must be taken seriously. Malware can lurk in the background of your computer system, and steal your clients’ personal data. As a result, your business could be forced to pay thousands or even millions. Install sophisticated software to protect your customers and your business, and consider it one of the best investments you’ll ever make.
Phishing
An innocent looking email can, in fact, be a Trojan horse, which triggers a virus and allows cyber criminals to disable your security systems and access funds or data. There are many ways to prevent this, from always using domain emails and installing effective firewalls, but it should be something you are aware of. “Cyber criminals are smart, and phishing emails won’t always be obvious. An employee could very easily be fooled if the proper training and software isn’t in place”, - says Mary Walton, a System Operator at Paper Fellows.
Known Vulnerabilities
Many businesses rely on open-source software for security. This makes sense from a business point of view, and generally the services provided can help a company ensure they’re protected, however, there are certain risks too. Using this software means that once a hacker or cyber-criminal figures out the vulnerabilities of a system, they are able to attack a business. This is especially true if software isn’t regularly updated. Cloud services are also well-known to be vulnerable, and criminals can access private data easily if the cloud isn’t secure.
Human Error
This may not be considered a cyber threat initially; however there are some important aspects of human error that can lead to serious cyber threats. Amber Coburn, an eCommerce Data Analyst at Essayroo, comments: “If an employee loses their own smartphone or laptop that has been used to access unsecured data, then whoever stumbles upon the phone, or stole it, can then access all of that data. This can lead to massive costs for the business – so make sure databases are all secure, and that employees don’t use their personal devices to access business systems.”
Stolen Data Aggregation
Businesses are following an increasing trend, in that they are starting to store their customers’ data at a central location, which is also used by many other businesses. Jane Reed, an Operation Manager from Ukwritings shares the opinion: “This much data is incredibly appealing to a cyber-criminal, so it’s important to make sure all servers involved in managing this kind of data are totally secure. This is another investment that may seem costly at the time, but is a far better option than being subjected to a cyber-attack.”
While cyber-crime is increasing, and becoming a looming threat over most businesses, being aware of the above threats and taking measures to protect your business and your employees can help save your reputation, your customers, and your profits. Investing in security is one of the wisest business decisions you could make.
About Author:
Gloria Kopp is an educator and an elearning consultant from Manville city. She graduated from University of Wyoming and started a career of a creative writer and an educator, now she works as a tutor at Boomessays. Besides, she is a regular contributor to such websites as Engadget, Assignment help, Huffingtonpost etc."
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