Common WooCommerce Security Issues and How to Prevent Them in 2024

There are over 4.7 million active WooCommerce stores right now. And this number has increased 8.9% quarter-over-quarter in 2024.

However, it must be noted that with popularity comes security issues. WordPress receives around 90,000 cyberattacks every minute. The sole reason behind this is its popularity. In fact, it powers around 43.5% of all websites worldwide, so it also receives more than 90% of all cyberattacks on all content management systems.

Looking at the emerging number of WooCommerce stores, it’s wise to be concerned about their safety.

This guide will walk you through all the common WooCommerce security issues, what they are, and how you can prevent them. After all, we will also learn what to do if your WooCommerce is hacked.

Let’s learn more about the leading eCommerce plugins.

Can You Start WooCommerce Without WordPress?

No! You can not start a WooCommerce store without WordPress. It is a WordPress plugin and uses WordPress’s code to function properly. 

In fact, WooCommerce is owned by Automattic, which is the same company that owns WordPress. It was launched in 2011. Ever since it has helped website owners create their online stores instantly by downloading a WordPress plugin. 

Common WooCommerce Security Issues

Although WooCommerce has dedicated teams that tirelessly work to find vulnerabilities in their code and patch them, still…like any other popular software or plugin, hackers also waste no time in looking for vulnerabilities and security issues that can be exploited.

You might be wondering whether WooCommerce is secure or not.

Therefore, it’s critical to understand the common cyberattacks that can occur on your WooCommerce store. Such as;

Malware Injection

Hackers can inject deadly malware, such as credit card scanning malware, which scans the sensitive information of every customer who enters their credit card information to buy something in your store.

There are uncountable malware and viruses, with newer ones being created daily. Malware or viruses can cause critical repercussions for online stores and businesses.

Outdated Plugins and Themes

Another crucial security issue that may attract unwanted customers is outdated plugins and themes. Hackers can easily exploit outdated plugins and extensions, running through their code to find gateways to gain unauthorized access or inject viruses.

Weak Password

There have been several unfortunate past events in which hackers caused massive damage to organizations or businesses because they were using weak passwords.

One famous incident was when hackers gained unauthorized access to SolarWinds servers because one of their interns used a weak password (e.g., Solarwinds123).

Insecure Checkout Page

An insecure checkout page can also harm your WooCommerce. Insecure checkout pages become gateways for hackers to inject malicious software into your website’s code.

Moreover, an insecure checkout page can also make it easier for hackers to manipulate transitions and invoices, causing fraudulent transactions, which can lead to loss of customers’ trust and business.

WordPress Security Problems Affecting WooCommerce

As we discussed, WooCommerce runs with WordPress, and you can not enter your WooCommerce dashboard without logging in to WordPress. Therefore, a weak login security page can cause immense harm to your WooCommerce.

As we discussed in the previous section, outdated software can be harmful to your WooCommerce. Similarly, an outdated WordPress can cause security complications as well.

Companies that have login pages that are easily accessible are another one of the WooCommerce security issues. Not having multiple-factor authentication can make it easy for attackers and cybercriminals to break into your website.

Cyberattacks like a WordPress brute force attack can be performed on a website’s login page. Therefore, you can’t neglect WordPress security to secure your WooCommerce.

Now, let’s understand the types of attacks performed on WooCommerce before learning how to protect our website from them.

Types of Cyber Attacks Impacting WooCommerce 

Over 50% of online store owners report that cybercrimes are becoming severe. That’s because 29% of website traffic consists of malicious requests.

Here are the common WooCommerce cyberattacks and what they do:

Brute Force Attacks

Brute force attacks, also known as password-guessing attacks, are cyberattacks in which hackers use trial and error to crack passwords, encryption keys, and login credentials. They are very common because they do not require any software and can be performed on your WordPress login page.

There are different kinds of brute force attacks, including using stolen credentials from previous data breaches in the hope of finding accounts that use the same login credentials for multiple accounts.

Moreover, hackers also use common combinations from previous data breaches in front of your username (i.e., kevin123). Cybercriminals also perform dictionary attacks to find data about the target, like date of birth, and use that to crack your passwords (i.e., kevin2003). 

SQL Injection (SQLi)

It is a cybersecurity vulnerability that allows an attacker to communicate the queries that your website is making with the database. This will enable them to retrieve sensitive information, such as data that is meant for different users or other sensitive data that the website can access. 

Attackers can then easily modify or delete this data, causing issues with the website or application. It also helps attackers perform DDoS attacks.

An SQL injection attack can be very severe on a WooCommerce store and can lead to the misuse of sensitive information such as passwords, credit card information, and personal user information.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-site scripting, or XXS, occurs when hackers inject malicious code into legitimate websites. When users load those websites, the malicious code is injected into their browsers, which then sends sensitive information to the hacker.

The malicious code is often attached at the end of the URL. The primary purpose of this attack is to steal login credentials, cookies, and tokens.

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

CSFR occurs when hackers use social engineering to make a user perform an action of their choice, such as changing their passwords or transferring cash.

If it is performed on an administrator, it can disrupt the entire business and cause massive business loss.

Phishing Attacks

Hackers posing as a trusted friend, an organization, or a business to inject malicious files into a user’s device, server, or network is known as a phishing attack. Phishing attacks can happen via fraudulent emails, phone calls, or text messages to trick users into downloading malware or sharing sensitive information.

Examples of WooCommerce Hacked

A few recent examples that impacted the businesses massively. 

Dune London

One of the biggest UK-based fashion retailers, Dune London, sustained a data breach in 2020. Tons of sensitive information was exposed, including customer data, credit card information, and personal user information.

After the attack, the business found that the attacker had made its way through WooCommerce’s outdated plugins. Later, the company notified all the affected customers and implied further secured safety measures.

WooCommerce Payments Vulnerability

Popular WooCommerce plugin “WooPayments,” with 700,000+ active installs in 2024, became a gateway for hackers last year. The plugin was actively being used by over 500,000 at that time.

As the name suggests, WooPayments is the official payment solution for WooCommerce stores.

Hackers found a vulnerability that allowed remote users to impersonate administrative accounts. Leading WordPress security plugin, Wordfence, warned its users about the bad actors exploiting this vulnerability.

Is WooCommerce payment safe now?

Yes! Later, WordPress implemented a forced install of a security patch on all websites using the payment plugin. The bug was fixed, and since then, the plugin has been completely safe to use for your stores.

Assessing WooCommerce Security: Is WooCommerce Safe?

There is a lot of chatter and claims on the internet regarding how secure WooCommerce is.

Like any other website, WooCommerce stores can also be compromised or hacked. However, implementing the best practices to address the common WooCommerce security issues that we are about to discuss should be enough to protect your store from any incoming or ongoing threat.

Many external factors also impact your WooCommerce safety, such as having secure hosting and making necessary configurations.

At the end of the article, we’ll also discuss what to do if your store has already been hacked. So, don’t forget to read it to the end, or you will miss out on critical information about securing your store.

Let’s jump right in!

8 Best Practices to Secure Your WooCommerce Store

Securing your WooCommerce can be extremely easy, especially using the right tools and plugins. 

Moreover, securing your WooCommerce can also improve your revenue by 25% to 95% because customers expect security and love to buy from secure stores. And a secure store efficiently retains customers.

For this guide, we will use Password Protected and Jetpack. So, make sure to install both plugins before we begin applying all security measures.

1. Secure Your Login Page

Securing your entrance to the dashboard can spare you from brute force—a common WooCommerce security vulnerability—and other similar attacks that can be performed on your login screen.

Therefore, securing your login page is essential, and Password Protected is the best solution for that.

You can easily and effortlessly secure your login page by adding a Google reCAPTCHA to your password protected screen.

First, create a new captcha on Google Cloud to get your unique site and captcha key. For detailed instructions, click here.

Activate your plugin and then navigate to Security > Google reCAPTCHA.

Choose your preferred reCAPTCHA version from version 2 or version 3.

Add your unique Site and Secret Key in the following fields after obtaining them from Google Cloud.

Finally, select your favorite theme, light or dark. And save changes.

That’s it! It’s that easy with the Password Protected plugin.

CAPTCHA keeps the bots away from your login page and helps eliminate brute-force attacks.

However, only CAPTCHA may not be enough.

2. Add 2-factor Authentication (2FA)

Adding 2FA can enhance your security. Two-factor authentication adds another layer of protection to your web store, and adding it is super easy with Jetpack.

Two-factor authentication requires users to provide an additional verification factor to validate their login attempt. 2FA is usually done with your mobile phone and prevents unauthorized access even if your password has been leaked. It can also save your website if a hacker has already hacked your email address.

To add a 2FA, activate the Jetpack plugin and navigate to settings. Being on the “Security” tab, scroll down to the end.

Once you are at the end of the screen, you’ll see a “WordPress.com login.”

Switching the first button will allow interaction with the last two buttons. Once the option is available, switch the previous button that says, “Require accounts to use two-step authentication.”

After switching it on, wait for a prompt that confirms changes at the top right.

Once you see this, you are good to go because the configuration is done, and your site is now protected by 2FA.

3. Regular Backups

Regular backups and monitoring can also prevent unauthorized access and other security issues. Jetpack automatically performs site backups if you’re using an appropriate subscription plan for the plugin, such as Jetpack Backup or Jetpack Security.

Backups protect your site in case a plugin, theme, or any other malfunction occurs. They also protect your site from virus attacks and power failures. Regular backups can save your resources in case any of the above-mentioned errors arise.

However, the backup is not included in the Jetpack free version. Alternatively, you can use another backup plugin like Duplicator or Solid Backups.

4. Use Strong Passwords

As we discussed earlier, weak passwords can also make your site vulnerable. Common brute force attacks include using combinations until they find the correct one. Moreover, weak passwords cause 8% of WordPress websites to be hacked.

To prevent them from being guessed, make sure to create hard-to-guess passwords. WordPress has built-in strong passwords, creating features that you can take advantage of. Moreover, you can use password managers to save complicated passwords that are hardly memorable.

Moreover, also use strong passwords for your administrative accounts. Make sure your passwords check all the boxes below:

• Your password must be more than 14 characters.
• It should be a combination of upper and lower case letters.
• Your password should contain a special character, a number, and a symbol.
• The password should not be the name of your loved one, pet, or your favorite TV show or sports team.
• Your password should not contain numbers like your birthday or your loved one’s birthday.
• You should not be using that password for another account. 

Some brute force attacks include using login credentials stolen from previous data breaches. In such a case, hackers can easily access any account using the same password for multiple accounts.

5. Regular Scans and Monitoring

Regularly scanning for malware and viruses can also be super helpful in eliminating security errors from your store. There are over one billion malicious programs right now. Hackers run these malicious programs all around the web all the time, hoping to extract sensitive information.

Regular scans can help detect malicious code before it spreads. They can also help with search engine rankings because search engines flag websites with malicious code and restrict them from appearing at the top of the SERPs.

Regular scans can also inform you of your site’s vulnerability before hackers find and exploit them to gain unauthorized access to your dashboard.

Also, ensure to address every suspicious activity on your website. If an IP address is repeatedly attempting to use incorrect login credentials, block or ban it. You can easily do that with the Password Protected’s White List User Role feature.

6. Keep Your Store Updated

Nearly 61% of websites attacked overall were outdated. Furthermore, 52% of WordPress vulnerabilities are from outdated plugins.

This is one of the most common problems that cause security issues in your store. However, it has the easiest solution. All it takes is a detailed look at your store’s plugins, themes, and extensions.

Set time aside every day to inspect your store for vulnerabilities and security issues. Deactivate and delete all obsolete or redundant plugins that you are not using right now. Cybercriminals can target unused plugins to get unsanctioned access.

Either manually update them or take advantage of WordPress’s auto-update feature. 

7. Protect With a Firewall

Protecting your store with a firewall can also be another important factor. A firewall works as a guard that safeguards your store 24/7 from bad customers—which means hackers in this case. 

It’s an automated feature that adapts to your website’s behavior and how users are accessing it. A firewall filters the incoming and outgoing traffic. You can also restrict regions and countries to protect your store from areas where you might be getting excessive spam.

Firewall protection is included in Jetpack.

Just navigate to the plugin’s settings.

Scroll down to the Firewall’s settings.

Once you’re there, switch the button, which will uncover three additional switches.

Now, you can see four additional switches. 

• Automatic rules [Premium only]: Automates security rules and protects your site from traffic incoming from untrusted sources.
• Manual rules: Blocklists specific suspicious IPs to prevent unauthorized traffic.
• Data Sharing: Share basic site data with Jetpack in order to protect your site better.
• Advanced Data Sharing: Shares detailed site data to Jetpack for personalized security.

Switch the ones you want, and a firewall will protect your site now.

That’s what you can do to address all the common WooCommerce security issues. 

8. Install an SSL Certificate

The SSL certificate, or Secure Sockets Layer, helps label a site as secure. It not only helps in the search engine race, but customers also prefer to buy from stores using HTTPS. Search engines clearly flag websites that are not using SSL as “not secured.”

Search engines also discourage filling in credit card information on unsecured sites, which can result in serious business loss.

Most hosting providers provide SSL certificates for free with any plan. If yours did not, you can also get them for free using a site like LetsEncrypt.org.

That’s how you can protect your store from common WooCommerce security issues. 

But what do you do if your WooCommerce store is already hacked? Keep on reading to find out.

What Should You Do if Your WooCommerce is Already Hacked?

Now that you are facing WooCommerce hacks, it’s time to refine and rise again better than you ever were. A site hack can be deadly as you could:

• Lose your sensitive data.
• Lose your and your customers’ sensitive data.
• Drastically lose sales or website traffic.

Moreover, you will lose your customer’s trust, which can significantly impact your company’s reputation.

So, here’s the five-step plan to fight a hacker!

Step #1 — Quarantining Your WooCommerce Store

First and foremost, take your store down to prevent the hacker from making further changes. Now that your store is down, you can easily perform necessary scans and updates that will further assist in purifying it from any malicious scripts.

You can do that using a plugin such as WP Maintenance Mode, which helps you take your site down without affecting its core files. It also allows you to show a customizable message to the visitors visiting your website.

Step #2 — Scan

Now, thoroughly scan your store for malicious scripts or plugins, themes, and anything else that may seem suspicious. Delete obsolete plugins and suspicious users.

You can use a plugin like Sucuri WooCommerce Sitecheck or MalCare to find and eliminate malware from your website’s code and files. Once you find the problem, all you have to do is destroy it.

NOTE: Always backup your site before interacting with your core files, as deleting one can cause your website to break down.

Step #3 — Reset

If you are confident that your website does not contain malicious code or hacker activity, it’s best to create another backup of your store. Before coming back live, make sure:

• Update all your themes, plugins, and extensions.
• Reset all your personal passwords.
• Encourage customers to reset their passwords.
• Secure your login page.
• Deeply examine your site for any damages or functionality errors the hack might have done, and reverse the damages.
• Set up a firewall.
• Learn from the incident and regularly monitor and scan your store in the future.

Step #4 — Inform

Congratulations! The error is gone. Now, get ready to inform whoever the attack impacted.

Search engines like Google and Yandex flag a site as harmful that was attacked by malware. For instance, Chrome has dedicated warning pages for each type of attack that you will be prompted with if you try to click on a website containing malware.

Every search engine has a different procedure to send a correction review. However, you can do that via Google Search Console (GSC) for Google.

Here’s how to submit a review:

• Go to your GSC account.
• Go to “Security Issues” and scroll to the bottom of the screen.
• Click the “Request a Review” button.
• Clearly define why your site was flagged and the steps you took to eliminate the malware. 
• Press “Submit.”
• There you go! Wait until the application is accepted and your website is back as if the hack never happened!

The choice of informing the customers is up to you. If their personal data is stolen, it’s best to inform them and encourage them to change their passwords. However, there can be some federal or state government laws about data breaches that you must follow not to get penalized.

Simply put, look up your local law book or consult a lawyer.

Final Remarks on WooCommerce Security Issues

Addressing WooCommerce security issues as soon as possible is essential. Therefore, proper monitoring and eliminating every error or suspicious activity can help detect security issues before they spread.

Moreover, you should remember that WooCommerce security is not a checklist but a detailed operation that should be done regularly to prevent your store from being hacked. You should never be complacent when it comes to cybersecurity.

Make it a part of your daily routine: log in to your profile every day, delete spam, update your plugins, and deeply monitor your customers’ activities. If you encounter a suspicious IP, block it right away using Password Protected Ban/Whitelist IPs. 

Frequently Asked Questions