While eCommerce businesses are thriving, with this growth comes an increased risk of cyberattacks. One of the most insidious threats is web skimming, a type of cyberattack where malicious code is injected into your website to steal sensitive customer information, particularly during the checkout process. As online shopping becomes more prevalent, it’s crucial for eCommerce businesses to understand what web skimming is, the dangers it presents, and the best practices for protecting against it.
Understanding Web Skimming
Web skimming, also known as formjacking or Magecart attacks, involves hackers embedding malicious JavaScript code into an eCommerce site, usually on pages where customers enter payment information. This code captures data such as credit card numbers, expiration dates, CVV codes, and even personal details like names and addresses. The stolen information is then sent to the attacker’s server, where it can be used for fraudulent activities or sold on the dark web.
These attacks can be hard to detect, as the malicious code is often hidden within the website’s legitimate code or external scripts, making it difficult for businesses to realise they’ve been compromised until it’s too late.
Read: Website Security: Definition and Strategies for Protection
The Dangers of Web Skimming
The repercussions of a successful web skimming attack can be severe, affecting both the business and its customers:
- Data Theft: Sensitive information such as payment details and personal data can be stolen, leading to financial fraud and identity theft for customers.
- Financial Losses: Businesses may face chargebacks from fraudulent transactions, fines from regulatory bodies for failing to protect customer data, and the cost of investigating and remediating the attack.
- Reputational Damage: A data breach can severely damage a company’s reputation. This, in turn, could lead to a loss of customer trust and a decline in sales.
- Legal Consequences: Depending on the jurisdiction, businesses may be subject to legal action if they fail to comply with data protection regulations, such as GDPR in Europe or CCPA in California.
Given these risks, it’s essential for eCommerce businesses to take proactive measures to protect their websites from web skimming attacks.
Best Practices to Protect Against Web Skimming
This is one of the best ways to protect against web skimming. A Web Application Firewall (WAF) acts as a barrier between your website and the internet. It monitors and filters incoming traffic for malicious activity. A WAF can help block suspicious scripts and protect your site from known vulnerabilities that hackers exploit in web skimming attacks.
Regularly Update and Patch Your Software
Outdated software is one of the most common entry points for cyberattacks. Ensure that your eCommerce platform, plugins, and other software components are regularly updated to the latest versions. Applying security patches as soon as they are released is crucial in protecting your site from known vulnerabilities.
Conduct Regular Security Audits
Regular security audits can help identify vulnerabilities in your website’s code, third-party integrations, and overall security posture. These audits should include scanning for malicious scripts, reviewing access logs, and analysing your website’s traffic for unusual patterns that could indicate a skimming attack.
Monitor Third-Party Integrations
Many eCommerce sites rely on third-party services for functionalities like payment processing, analytics, and marketing. However, these integrations can also introduce vulnerabilities if they are not properly secured. Regularly review and monitor all third-party scripts running on your site, and ensure that they come from reputable sources.
Implement Content Security Policy (CSP)
A Content Security Policy (CSP) is a security feature that helps prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks and other code injection attacks. By specifying which sources of content are allowed to be loaded on your website, a CSP can help block malicious scripts from executing. Implementing a CSP can significantly reduce the risk of web skimming by restricting the execution of untrusted scripts.
Use Subresource Integrity (SRI)
Subresource Integrity (SRI) is a security feature that ensures the integrity of scripts loaded from third-party sources. By using SRI, you can verify that the scripts running on your site haven’t been tampered with. Thus, ensuring that only the intended code is executed. This can be particularly useful for protecting against web skimming attacks that target external scripts.
Enforce HTTPS Across Your Entire Site
Encrypting data in transit is essential for protecting sensitive information from being intercepted by attackers. Ensure that your entire website, including all subdomains, is served over HTTPS. This not only protects customer data during transmission but also helps build trust with your customers by showing that your site is secure.
Limit User Permissions
Restrict access to your website’s backend and limit user permissions to only what is necessary. By minimising the number of users with administrative access, you reduce the risk of unauthorised changes to your site’s code or settings, which could be exploited in a web skimming attack.
Educate Your Team
Human error is often a factor in security breaches. Educate your team about the risks of web skimming and other cyber threats. Ensure they are aware of best practices for website security, such as using strong passwords, recognising phishing attempts, and following secure coding practices.
Regularly Backup Your Website
In the event of a security breach, having recent backups of your website can be a lifesaver. Regularly backup your website and store the backups in a secure, offsite location. This ensures that you can quickly restore your site to a pre-attack state if it becomes compromised.
Learn: The Role Of A WordPress Expert In Website Security
Responding to a Web Skimming Attack
Even with the best security measures, it’s important to be prepared for the possibility of a web skimming attack. If you suspect that your site has been compromised, take immediate action:
- Isolate the Affected Systems: Disconnect the compromised parts of your website from the internet to prevent further data loss.
- Identify and Remove Malicious Code: Conduct a thorough scan of your website’s code to identify and remove any malicious scripts.
- Notify Affected Parties: Inform your customers and any relevant authorities about the breach as soon as possible. Transparency is key to maintaining trust.
- Review and Strengthen Security Measures: After the attack, review your security protocols and make necessary improvements to prevent future incidents.
Conclusion
Web skimming is a serious threat to eCommerce businesses, but with the right security measures, you can significantly reduce risks. By staying vigilant, regularly updating your software, monitoring third-party integrations, and educating your team, you can protect your website and your customers from the devastating effects of web skimming. Remember, security is an ongoing process. So, it’s essential to continuously review and update your defenses to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Protecting your eCommerce site from web skimming not only safeguards your business and customers but also helps build a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness in an increasingly competitive market.