Secure Magento: protect your store against hackers

Magento stores are a popular target for hackers. They contain customer data and payment information. A hack can destroy your reputation and business. Here you'll learn how to secure your store.

Why do Magento stores get hacked?

Common reasons:

• Outdated software: Old versions have known vulnerabilities
• Weak passwords: Admin accounts with simple passwords
• Insecure extensions: Extensions from unreliable sources
• Misconfiguration: Default settings not changed

Essential security measures

1. Keep Magento updated

This is the most important measure. Adobe regularly releases security patches.

Check for updates:

bin/magento maintenance:enable
composer update
bin/magento setup:upgrade
bin/magento maintenance:disable

Subscribe to Adobe Security Bulletins for notifications.

2. Use strong admin credentials

Best practices:

• Use unique, complex passwords (16+ characters)
• Change the default admin URL (/admin)
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Limit admin access to specific IP addresses

Change admin URL in app/etc/env.php:

'backend' => [
    'frontName' => 'your-secret-admin-url'
]

3. Secure the server

Essential server configuration:

• Firewall active (only necessary ports open)
• SSH key authentication (no password login)
• Regular OS updates
• Fail2ban for brute force protection

4. SSL/HTTPS required

All traffic must run via HTTPS.

Configure in Magento: Stores > Configuration > General > Web > Base URLs (Secure)

• Use Secure URLs: Yes
• Use Secure URLs in Admin: Yes

5. Set correct file permissions

find var generated vendor pub/static pub/media app/etc -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
find var generated vendor pub/static pub/media app/etc -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
chmod 750 bin/magento

6. Database security

• Use a strong database password
• Limit database access to localhost
• Make regular backups
• Remove unused admin accounts

Advanced security

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A WAF blocks malicious requests before they reach your server.

Options:

• Cloudflare WAF (paid)
• Sucuri (paid)
• ModSecurity (free, configure yourself)

Security extensions

Recommended:

• Magento Security Scan (free from Adobe)
• MageReport (free scan)
• Amasty Security Suite (paid)

Monitoring

Set up alerts for:

• New admin users
• Failed login attempts
• File changes in core folders
• Unusual database queries

Security checklist

What to do after a hack

1. Take the site offline - Prevent further damage
2. Document everything - Logs, modified files
3. Restore from backup - Use a clean backup
4. Analyze the cause - How did they get in?
5. Patch the vulnerability - Prevent recurrence
6. Inform stakeholders - Customers, payment provider, possibly authorities