The installation of platform extensions is a necessary step for every e-commerce store that wants to boost sales, achieve a competitive advantage and mitigate risks. When it comes to website security, the choice of extensions becomes vital. In this article, we will list the best Magento 2 security extensions.
Magento 2 Security Threats
Even though Magento 2 has reliable inbuilt security protection features, cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated and more difficult to detect.
There are several ways to protect your store from attacks. The most common ones involve Magento specialists who install Magento 2 extensions to secure your website. Further, we will discuss some of the most common Magento 2 security threats and the ways to cope with them.
Cross-Site Scripting Cyberattacks
XSS attacks are one of the most prevalent types of cyberattacks. The hackers inject malicious scripts into websites that have vulnerabilities. Cross-site scripting attacks take place when the attacker sends malicious code with the help of an online application to a different end-user. The user’s browser executes the malicious script and the attacker gets access to cookies or the user’s data.
Code Executions
Remote code executions are a very dangerous type of attack, as hackers may run the malicious code on a vulnerable Magento server. The attackers create and execute CSV files that cause damage to both the website and the server.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a form of malicious software that keeps the user from accessing their data and displays a message demanding a fee to fix the problem. This type of malware can be installed through a website link. If your Magento 2 website has vulnerabilities, you need to install Magento 2 extensions to avoid the attack.
Botnet attack
This malicious attack is related to sending spam messages. In the case of a botnet attack, your customers’ data is not at risk of being exposed, however, your server may be added to a blacklist by spam filters.
Silent Card Capture
Silent card capture is a cyberattack that allows hackers to record your clients’ payment details. The hackers install the malicious software within your online store and then replace the users’ credit card details with other payment details that lead to attackers’ servers. Silent card capture is one of the most dangerous types of cyberattacks, as it can go unnoticed for a significant amount of time and cause great damage to your brand’s reputation.
Brute Force Cyberattacks
Brute force attacks are based on the methods of guessing possible combinations of passwords until the attackers gain access to the account. If the user has a weak password, it might take mere seconds for hackers to apply brute force and steal the account. Besides, hackers often use automated programs and special tools to generate different password combinations and accelerate the process.
Why Magento 2 Security Extensions Are Important?
Magento 2 security extensions protect your online store from spam, fraud, and other types of attacks. The website becomes more user-friendly, as the extensions are invisible for the users and appear only in case of suspicious activity. Security extensions help increase the protection of your store, avoid malware attacks, change passwords automatically, identify the possible security risks and update Magento ecommerce features to maintain security.
To protect online stores from attacks, the Magento development team releases security patches regularly. However, the new releases are announced in Magento Security Center. The hackers monitor the updates to know the ways the company is going to fix the vulnerabilities. They can be aware of what vulnerabilities have not been patched and find methods to get access to the customer’s sensitive information or your online store. That is why security extensions are the perfect solution.
Security extensions help to protect your users’ data and thus maintain the reputation of your brand. Before installing Magento 2 extensions, make sure that you received them from a reliable developer and they have good reviews. You can choose an extension that meets the specific needs of your ecommerce website.
Top 10 Most Popular Magento 2 Security Extensions
We picked the best Magento 2 security extensions to create this list of the most popular solutions for your online store.
Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication guarantees that you will be the only person who has access to the admin panel. Attackers will not be able to login into your Magento store to steal payment details, orders, and other personal data.
The security extension by XTENTO requires providing not only a username and password but also an OTP or one-time password to log in. The principle is quite simple: you just need to go to the Users section in the Magento backend, generate a secret key and scan the barcode with your phone. Thus, the hackers will not be able to log in without access to your smartphone. The code is valid only for 30 seconds, so you can be assured of the store’s security.
Geo-IP Ultimate Lock
Geo-IP Ultimate Lock is an extension that allows you to regulate the traffic from other countries for the chosen products, CMS pages, or the entire store. The extension is based on IP blocking and enables you to choose product attributes such as price and color to restrict access to some items and product categories. You can track the traffic in real time and block malicious visits to your ecommerce store.
Besides, you can make multiple access control lists for a specific region. Geo-IP Ultimate Lock supports multiple languages. You can also receive a free upgrade and lifetime support.
MageReport
MageReport by Hypernode allows scanning your Magento store for possible vulnerabilities. The extension also provides information on how to cope with the detected problems. MageReport uses identification patterns based on behavior and detects threats faster than any other system. The provider of MageReport is a Dutch hosting company Hypernode that tracks the latest Magento releases to stay on top of industry trends.
Improved Admin Security
The Improved Admin Security extension prevents the stealing of client data and other types of cybercrimes. The extension includes two modules: Admin Watcher and Two-Factor Authentication. Two-Factor Authentication is built with the help of Google Authenticator. You will have the password and unique code for the mobile phone that allows mitigating the security risks. The module is compatible with various devices, including iOs, Android, and BlackBerry. The Admin Watcher module protects your Magento 2 shop from attempts to obtain access to the backend.
Mage Firewall Security
Magento Firewall protects your online store by adding the extra layer of security around your website. The software blocks and blacklists attackers and alerts you when somebody is trying to break into your store. It has a special scanner that analyzes the unpatched security issues and provides recommendations concerning the setup of your ecommerce website. The extension is effective against brute force attacks.
Magento 2 Spam and Bot Blocker
The bot blocker detects automated spam bots and blocks them and other bots to prevent server overload. In most cases, bots are identified in review forms and contact pages and create difficulties when you are responding to customers. The extension protects your ecommerce store from spammers.
Magento 2 Security by Magedelight
With this module, you can easily manage an ecommerce website due to safe and fast transaction data transfer. Magento 2 Security by Magedelight supports Accept.js, allows adding, changing, and deleting saved cards, enables saving customer payment methods safely, allows you to secure your website against fraud transactions, and supports refunds.
Security by Amasty
The Amasty Magento 2 Security extension protects your website from external threats due to two-step authentication, spyware protection, the ability to add secure IP addresses to the white list, and the ability to sign to the admin panel securely.
Magento 2 Security by Mageplaza
This extension is useful for saving and protecting both your website data and your customers’ personal data. Due to the effective warning system, the extension allows preventing break-in attempts. Magento 2 Security by Mageplaza automatically displays all warnings of possible risks, allows limiting the failed login attempts, enables you to block some IP addresses in the backend, and lets admins monitor and track all logins.
Security by Wyomind
Magento 2 Security by Wyomind helps to secure the admin panel of your website. It enables you to monitor the traffic on your admin panel, identify history timeline for a long time, follow connection attempts and block IPs on the frontend or backend automatically or manually.