You have built your own OpenCart website, great!
But have you ever wondered- Why some OpenCart run into security issues after sometime? Do you want to make your OpenCart website incredibly secure and protected from threats and attackers?
If so, you cannot overlook the importance of “OpenCart”!
Though it is widely accepted to build robust eCommerce websites and stores, some people face difficulties and end up compromising the security of their websites.
What could be the potential reason behind it? Is OpenCart worthy of consideration for eCommerce development?
Well, absolutely yes!
No matter what kind of platform you choose for eCommerce development, you may run into security issues if you don’t monitor or follow a few series of steps.
Don’t worry, in this post, we’ll discuss important steps to protect your OpenCart website from attackers. But beforehand, let’s understand what OpenCart exactly means!
What is OpenCart?
To put it simply, OpenCart is a dedicated and popular open-source online store management system that allows eCommerce developers to build online stores. Since it is a program based on PHP, it efficiently uses MySQL database and HTML components to run its platform.
The popularity of OpenCart can be seen from the fact that it has some interesting facts that could amaze business owners planning to build an eCommerce store.
- OpenCart has more than 7% market share in the shopping cart software market.
- More than 276,777 store owners use OpenCart to run their businesses while half of them are used by people in the US.
- OpenCart is used by 0.7% of all websites whose content management system they know.
What are the Ways to Protect Your OpenCart Website?
Building an OpenCart website and protecting it are two different things. If you know how to build an OpenCart eCommerce website but don’t know how to secure it, you will run into problems later for sure. Without further ado, let’s discuss the ways to protect your OpenCart website from potential threats.
# 1. Choose a Secure Hosting Server
One of the first and foremost steps to consider when protecting your OpenCart store development is that you should not choose the cheapest hosting service. Though it is tempting to go for the cheapest option, not all hosting servers offer the same level of security. Many low-cost servers use shared hosting, meaning your website shares resources with thousands of other sites. This can not only slow down your website’s performance but also expose it to security vulnerabilities.
To protect your store, invest in a reliable and secure hosting server. A high-quality hosting provider ensures your site is protected from server-side attacks, like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), and other potential threats. With more grounded safety efforts set up, you can zero in on running your store without agonizing over outer assaults.
#2. Keep Your OpenCart Version Up-to-Date
Using outdated software is one of the easiest ways for hackers to breach your website. Every new OpenCart version comes with improved security features and fixes for vulnerabilities discovered in earlier versions. By keeping awake to date with the most recent variant of OpenCart (at this point, it’s OpenCart 3.0.3.2), you gain admittance to new highlights as well as fundamental security fixes that protect your OpenCart website from dangers.
Thus, consistently ensure you’re utilizing the furthest version to guard your OpenCart store from potential attackers.
#3. Enable SSL for Your Website and Admin Panel
At the point when information is moved over the web if it’s not encoded, it very well may be blocked by programmers. Delicate data like usernames, messages, and instalment subtleties can be taken while perhaps not appropriately safeguarded. Ensure you use SSL (Secure Socket Layer) to encrypt the data exchanged between your website and users, making it unreadable to anyone trying to access it.
When it comes to securing your OpenCart store, particularly the administrator panel where basic data is made due, empower SSL. It’s not difficult to do: go to Settings >> Server and select “Use SSL,” then, at that point, save the changes.
#4. Enable Fraud Detection in OpenCart
Another major factor to consider to protect your eCommerce website is that you should not forget to enable fraud detection in OpenCart. Since it comes with a built-in feature, it helps you identify potential fraud. All you need to do is simply analyze the IP addresses visiting your site as it can easily flag suspicious activity and prevent fraudulent transactions.
To enable this feature, navigate to the Settings section in your OpenCart dashboard and look under ‘General’ for the ‘Fraud’ option.
#5. Use ReCAPTCHA to Verify Users
ReCAPTCHA is a basic yet amazing asset for keeping bots from getting to your site. Bots frequently crawl sites searching for significant information like email addresses and usernames or misleadingly blow up traffic, causing execution issues. Ensure you carry out ReCAPTCHA to guarantee that main genuine clients cooperate with your site, lessening the possibilities of bot attacks.
OpenCart offers an extension to easily add ReCAPTCHA to your site. This additional safeguard can prevent unauthorized access and keep your website secure.
#6. Implement Firewalls for Continuous Protection
Hackers and bots can launch attacks at any time, often without warning. A robust firewall acts as your first line of defence, continuously monitoring your website and blocking malicious activity before it can cause harm. A strong firewall will prevent bad bots and hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities, ensuring that your online store stays safe around the clock.
Investing in a reliable firewall is a crucial step in protecting your OpenCart store from cyber threats.
{Also Read: Why You Should Prioritize Mobile App Security?}
#7. Conduct Regular Security Audits
Last but not least, if you want to secure your OpenCart website, it’s essential to stay informed about your website’s security status. Remember that when you conduct a stringent security audit, it enables you to find out potential vulnerabilities and fix them. Ensure you spare some time and review your website’s security standards to protect your website from attackers.
All you have to do is simply use a free automated security tool to get a quick overview of your site’s security health. On the other hand, if you want in-depth insights, you need to conduct a detailed security assessment and enhance the protection level of your website.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! That’s a wrap-up to the common steps to protect your eCommerce website built using OpenCart! It is no secret that OpenCart is incredibly popular and is poised to change the eCommerce landscape in the coming years.
When you strictly follow the aforementioned steps then not only will it protect you from common threats that could negatively impact your OpenCart website. If you own an eCommerce business, you need to be careful around the clock and stay updated with major potential threats.
Looking for dedicated developers to protect your OpenCart website? If so, look no further than Mobile App Experts.
Let’s protect your OpenCart website from threats and attackers! Simply connect with Mobile App Experts (MAE) at +44(744)026-1268 or mail us at hello@mobileappexperts.co.uk.