Security is one of the most important criteria when choosing an eCommerce platform for a business. Adequate protection of the store itself is crucial for those running the business, while customers choosing a place to store online need to be sure that their personal information and payments are strong protected against leakage or theft through hacking attacks. Shopify, a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution, provides users with security measures directly built into the platform. In contrast, open-source solutions such as Magento, PrestaShop or WooCommerce offer freedom in the choice of security methods and measures, shifting the burden of responsibility to store owners. In our article, we will compare Shopify’s security features with open source eCommerce platforms, as well as analyze the potential security risks lurking for store owners based on fully customized solutions.
Security in Shopify: A complex approach
Shopify is a closed-source platform with solutions implemented by default to take care of the security of stores and all sensitive data. Shopify’s security ecosystem consists of:
Payment card data protection – PCI DSS Level 1 – Shopify meets all payment card data protection standards with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) Level 1 certification. This means that the platform secures customer data in the best possible way by protecting the shopping cart and hosting and ensuring secure transactions.
SSL certificate – The core element of Shopify’s security system is the automatic provision of an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate for each store on its platform. This ensures that all data sent between the store and users is encrypted, minimizing the risk of it being intercepted by the unauthorized people.
Automatic updates and security patches – Shopify’s dev team automatically rolls out security patches and platform updates. Users don’t need to worry about upgrading their stores, as this is done automatically.
Protection from DDoS attacks – Shopify has advanced systems for effective protection against massive DDoS attacks. The global CDN allows traffic to be quickly dispersed among multiple servers around the world. In the event of a potential attack, HTTP requests are automatically redirected to other servers to prevent overload.
Two-factor authentication – Shopify provides all store owners with the option to enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), which increases the security of the store’s account and admin panel. If you wish to use Shopify Payments, activation of this authentication method is required.
24/7 Monitoring and support – Shopify provides constant monitoring of its servers and platform. The company has a dedicated security team to address vulnerabilities immediately.
Security in Open-Source Solutions: A Flexible but Riskier Option
Open-source platforms like Magento, PrestaShop or WooCommerce offer users unlimited control over eCommerce. However, this comes with total security responsibility on the part of the store owner.
SSL certificate setup – Unlike Shopify, which automatically provides SSL to all stores, using an open-source platform requires you to purchase and manually install an SSL certificate for your store. Some hosting providers offer free SSL certificates, but the process of setting them up is often left up to the store owner.
Security patch responsibility – When using open source platforms, the store owner is responsible for performing manual updates. This includes installing updates for the platform software as well as any plugins and extensions installed on the store. Not having the latest versions of tools can make your site more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Custom security configurations – Open source platforms allow users to freely modify and configure security measures according to their needs. While this flexibility is appealing, it also introduces the risk of misconfiguration, which can lead to potential vulnerabilities in the eCommerce security system.
Third-Party plugins – Open source solutions rely heavily on the ability to extend system functionality through third-party plugins. Many of these are developed by freelance developers and can contain security holes if not properly maintained. Untested or outdated plugins can be a significant source of risk.
Security audits and monitoring – Using an open source platform requires maintaining a team of developers or an experienced eCommerce agency that can perform regular tool updates and monitor the platform’s security level. This is associated with high maintenance costs and TCO.
Potential Security Threats in Open-Source Solutions
While open source platforms are completely flexible when it comes to customizing functionality, they do face specific security threats that eCommerce owners need to be especially careful about.
Malware and exploits – Open source code is public, making it easy for hackers to identify potential vulnerabilities. A store that is using an outdated or inadequately secured version of software can become an easy target.
Brute force attacks – Open source platforms are often the target of attacks where hackers try to gain access by guessing passwords. Without the right measures, such as limiting login attempts, using two-step verification, or strong passwords, store is at risk.
SQL injection – Poorly coded plugins or themes can leave a site vulnerable to SQL injection, where an attacker can insert malicious SQL queries to access or change data in a database.
Cross-site scripting (XSS) – This is another common attack vector where an attacker injects malicious scripts into web pages that other users are browsing. If a store’s security settings are not properly configured, XSS attacks can lead to customer data being leaked.
Cost of Maintaining Security in Open-Source Solutions
Maintaining an open source platform at an appropriate level of security comes with additional costs that must be allocated to:
- SSL certificates
- Security plugins and extensions
- Hosting
- Security audits
- Developer Costs
Shopify provides the highest quality eCommerce security standards in the price of a monthly platform license – there are no additional costs.
Summary
Shopify offers a robust, secure eCommerce platform that handles all technical aspects of security, making it a great choice for businesses looking to minimize the risk and cost of maintaining security. The tradeoff is less flexibility compared to other platforms.
Open source solutions give businesses complete control over their sites, but they also come with increased responsibility for securing the platform on the part of store owners. Potential threats like outdated plugins, improperly configured security settings, and the cost of maintaining security make these platforms more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Ultimately, the choice between Shopify and other platforms comes down to balancing flexibility and control with security and manageability. Businesses that have the ability to invest heavily in security infrastructure and staff may find platforms like Magento or WooCommerce appealing, while those that prioritize complex solutions and ease of setup may find Shopify a better choice for their eCommerce business.