5 Ways to Secure Your E-Commerce Site From Client-Side Malware

Of the numerous malicious attacks that significantly affect your e-commerce business, client-side malware is one of the most lethal because it comes from the customer’s computer and isn't easily detectable. Its core goal is to interfere with client traffic on your website by redirecting them to other online stores. If not dealt with, client-side malware could hurt your sales and stagnate growth for your e-commerce business. Below are five ways to protect your website from this phenomenon.

1. Web Monitoring

One of the most crucial ways to protect your website from client-side malware is hiring a service provider to monitor your e-commerce platform. Monitoring enables you to assess potential threats that are brought about by customers visiting your website. The winning combination is high-level technology with ongoing machine learning capabilities which detect and stop malware in real time. Engaging such products ensures that your business is protected and traffic is maintained 24/7.

2. Install Web Security Tools

In the market there exists numerous paid and free web security tools that protect your website from other malicious server attacks such as “bad bots.” Products such as Bot Defender work to protect your website as well as remove malware that threatens your business.

3. Software Update

Frequently updating your software, particularly a content management system (CMS), application and anti-malware systems with the latest definitions and patches keeps your web pages secure. Many e-commerce companies have fallen prey to simply not keeping their platform up-to-date with the latest version of their CMS. Additionally, select a hosting provider that ensures the operating software are up to date for effective security against malware.

4. Ensure Use of HTTPS Security

It's advisable for you to use HTTPS for the entire website as it ensures that customers don't interact with fraudulent individuals. It also ensures secure transactions and protects customers from people looking to steal their credit card information. If your business has an e-commerce site, it needs to switch to HTTPS to maintain confidentiality in all transactions conducted.

5. Educate Customers About Client-Side Malware

Since this kind of malware is from the customer’s side, you might try to educate your users on these threats and how to protect their computers from them. One of the things you could do is to caution site visitors from downloading and installing random apps or extensions, which can infect their browsers. Making customers aware of how the malware affects their system could prompt them to protect themselves, which in turn results in the protection of your sales investment.

Ken Zwiebel is general manager at PerimeterX, a company that protects the world’s largest and most reputable websites and mobile applications from malicious activities, future-proofing digital businesses from automated bot attacks and client-side stealth attacks.