Security is the foundation of a successful e-commerce business. Your Shopify store handles sensitive customer data, payment information, and valuable business assets. A single security breach can damage your reputation, lead to costly lawsuits, and destroy customer trust. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about securing your Shopify store and protecting your customers.
Understanding Shopify's Built-In Security
Shopify takes security seriously and has implemented enterprise-grade security measures across its platform. Understanding what Shopify provides helps you build an additional layer of protection tailored to your specific needs.
PCI DSS Level 1 Compliance
Shopify maintains PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) Level 1 certification, the highest level of compliance. This means Shopify undergoes regular security audits, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments by independent security firms.
PCI compliance covers critical areas:
- Secure payment processing and card data handling
- Encrypted data transmission
- Regular security testing and monitoring
- Access controls and multi-factor authentication
- Network security and firewalls
What this means for you: You don't need to handle raw payment card data. Shopify's secure payment processing means customers enter their information on Shopify-hosted payment forms, not on your custom forms.
SSL/TLS Encryption
Every Shopify store includes an SSL certificate by default. This encryption protocol ensures that all data transmitted between your customer's browser and Shopify's servers is encrypted and unreadable to third parties.
You'll notice the padlock icon in browser address bars—this indicates your store is secure. All customer data in transit is protected:
- Login credentials
- Personal information
- Payment data
- Session tokens
DDoS Protection
Shopify provides distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) protection that automatically mitigates attacks attempting to overwhelm your store with traffic. This prevents malicious actors from taking your store offline.
Automatic Security Updates
Unlike self-hosted platforms, you don't need to manage security patches. Shopify automatically applies security updates to its infrastructure, platform, and hosting. This ensures you're always running the latest secure version without downtime.
Fraud Detection Systems
Shopify includes Shopify Fraud Tools that analyze orders in real-time using machine learning. The system flags suspicious orders based on:
- IP address geolocation
- Device fingerprinting
- Billing and shipping address mismatch
- Order pattern analysis
- Historical fraud data
Protecting Your Shopify Admin Account
Your admin account is the master key to your store. If compromised, an attacker gains access to customer data, payment processing, product information, and business settings. Protecting this account is your top priority.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication adds a second verification step beyond your password. Even if someone obtains your password, they cannot access your account without the second factor.
How to enable 2FA on Shopify:
- Log in to your Shopify Admin
- Go to Settings → Apps and Channels → Develop Apps
- Click "Create an app" (for testing) or access your app settings
- Navigate to your account settings
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Choose your preferred method (authenticator app or SMS)
- Save and verify with your second factor
Best practices for 2FA:
- Use an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator) rather than SMS. Apps are more secure than text messages, which can be intercepted.
- Save backup codes in a secure location (password manager, encrypted storage). These allow account recovery if you lose access to your authenticator.
- Don't share your second factor with anyone, including staff members.
- Use unique 2FA devices if you have multiple accounts.
Create a Strong, Unique Password
Your password is your first line of defense. A weak password can be cracked through brute-force attacks or dictionary attacks.
Password requirements:
- Minimum 14 characters (longer is better)
- Mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
- No personal information (name, business name, birthdates)
- Unique to your Shopify account (don't reuse passwords across sites)
- Changed every 90 days
How to manage strong passwords:
- Use a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass, KeePass) to generate and store complex passwords
- Store your master password in a secure location
- Share passwords with trusted staff only through your password manager's sharing features
Monitor Admin Account Access
Regularly review who has access to your admin account and when they logged in.
To monitor access:
- Go to Settings → Apps and Channels → API Credentials
- Review active access tokens and connected apps
- Check Settings → Users and Permissions for staff accounts
- Monitor login attempts and suspicious activity
Managing Staff Permissions and Access
As your store grows, you'll need to add staff members who need admin access. Granting excessive permissions creates security risks. The principle of least privilege means each staff member should only have access to the functions they need.
Create Limited Admin Roles
Shopify allows you to create custom staff accounts with specific permissions. Avoid giving everyone full admin access.
Common staff roles and appropriate permissions:
Store Manager
- View and manage orders
- Manage products (if needed)
- View analytics
- Manage customer information
- Handle refunds
- Deny: Settings access, staff management, payment settings
Product Manager
- View and manage products
- Manage inventory
- View sales
- Deny: Customer data, order refunds, settings, financial information
Marketing Manager
- Manage marketing campaigns
- View analytics
- Manage customer segments
- Deny: Product settings, payment processing, staff access, admin settings
Customer Service Representative
- View orders
- View customer information
- Process refunds
- Deny: Product editing, payment settings, financial access, staff management
Finance/Admin
- Full or near-full access
- View all settings
- Manage users and permissions
- Monitor financial reports
Control What Each Staff Member Can Access
Go to Settings → Users and Permissions to assign specific permissions:
- Dashboard permissions: View analytics and reports
- Product permissions: Edit products, manage inventory
- Order permissions: View, edit, fulfill, cancel, refund orders
- Customer permissions: View and edit customer information
- Discounts and marketing: Create and manage promotions
- App and channel settings: Limited to specific apps
- Financial access: View financial reports, settings (careful here)
- Settings access: Modify store settings (restrict to trusted staff only)
Remove Access When Staff Changes
When team members leave or change roles:
- Immediately deactivate their staff account (don't delete—keep records)
- Remove any connected apps or API access they had
- Change any shared passwords they knew
- If they had sales channel access, revoke those permissions
- Review what data they had access to
Securing Your Apps and Integrations
Shopify's app ecosystem is powerful but adds potential vulnerabilities. Malicious or poorly-coded apps can compromise your store's security, steal customer data, or inject malware.
Review Apps Before Installing
Before installing any app, conduct due diligence:
Check app reviews:
- Read recent reviews (last 30 days)
- Look for reviews mentioning security, data handling, or bugs
- Check ratings across multiple review platforms
- Avoid apps with mostly negative reviews or many security concerns
Verify developer reputation:
- Is the developer an official Shopify partner?
- How long has the app been available?
- Does the developer have other successful apps?
- Research the developer's company website
- Check if they have professional liability insurance
Review requested permissions:
- Click "View details" and review permissions before installing
- Does the app request more access than necessary?
- Why does a simple coupon app need access to all customer data?
- Be suspicious of apps requesting payment processing permissions (most don't need this)
Test in development:
- Test apps on a development store first
- Check for performance impacts (slow page loads = security issue)
- Monitor customer reports of new issues after installation
- Don't install multiple new apps simultaneously
Only Install from Official Shopify App Store
The Shopify App Store includes vetting and security review. Third-party app marketplaces lack Shopify's oversight.
Risks of unofficial apps:
- No security audit or review
- May contain malware
- Likely to steal customer data
- Often include unwanted tracking code
- No recourse if compromised
Regularly Audit Your Installed Apps
Security compromises often go unnoticed for weeks or months. Regular audits help identify problems early.
Monthly app audit:
- Go to Apps and Channels in your Shopify Admin
- Review the list of installed apps
- For each app, ask:
- Are we actually using this?
- Is it causing any problems?
- Has the developer released security updates?
- Click on the app to see when it was last updated
- Check if there are reviews reporting new security issues
- Delete unused apps immediately
Review app access:
- Go to Settings → Apps and Channels → Develop Apps
- Review all API credentials and access tokens
- Delete old or unused access tokens
- Check expiration dates on API keys
- Verify only necessary apps have access
Understand App Permissions and Data Access
Different apps request different permissions. Understand what data each app can access:
Customer data access:
- Customer names, email addresses, phone numbers
- Shipping and billing addresses
- Purchase history and order data
- Customer tags and notes
Product and inventory access:
- Product descriptions and pricing
- Inventory levels
- Variants and options
- Product images and files
Financial access:
- Order totals and pricing
- Refund data
- Payment method information
- Financial reports
Store information:
- Store settings and configuration
- Domain and branding information
- Analytics and traffic data
- Report data
Only grant permissions that the app genuinely needs. Many apps request broad permissions but only use a subset of what they request.
Monitor App Behavior
After installing an app, monitor for unusual behavior:
- Does your store load slower?
- Are there unexpected charges in your bill?
- Have customers reported new issues?
- Is the app accessing data it doesn't need?
- Are there new script tags or code on your store?
If you notice problems, uninstall the app and switch to an alternative.
Protecting Customer Data
Customer data is your store's most valuable (and most sensitive) asset. Proper protection is both a legal and moral responsibility.
Understand What Data You Collect
Your Shopify store collects various types of customer data:
Contact information:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Mailing address
Payment data:
- Credit card information (Shopify handles this securely)
- Payment method
- Billing address
- Transaction history
Behavioral data:
- Browsing history and activity
- Wishlist and preferences
- Purchase history
- Email engagement
Profile data:
- Cookies and tracking identifiers
- Device information
- Location data
- IP addresses
Comply with Privacy Laws
Different jurisdictions require different levels of data protection and privacy disclosure:
GDPR (European Union):
- Requires explicit consent before collecting certain data
- Right to access, correct, and delete personal data
- Privacy policy must explain data use
- Data processing agreements with vendors
- Report data breaches within 72 hours
CCPA (California):
- Consumers can request what data you collect
- Right to delete personal information
- Right to opt out of data selling
- Privacy policy must explain data practices
- Requires reasonable security measures
PIPEDA (Canada):
- Consent before collecting personal information
- Transparency in data collection
- Secure data handling and storage
- Right to access and correct information
Other regional laws:
- Australia's Privacy Act
- Brazil's LGPD
- Japan's APPI
- China's PIPL
Shopify's role:
- Shopify complies with these regulations
- You're responsible for your own data handling
- Review Shopify's Data Processing Agreement
- Comply with laws in your jurisdiction and customer jurisdictions
Implement Privacy Policy and Terms
Your store should have clear privacy and terms policies:
Privacy Policy should cover:
- What data you collect and why
- How you use customer data
- Who has access to data
- How long you store data
- Customer rights and how to exercise them
- Third-party vendors who access data
- Cookie usage and tracking
- How you handle data breaches
Terms and Conditions should cover:
- Acceptable use of your store
- Customer responsibilities
- Limitation of liability
- Dispute resolution
- Return and refund policies
- Intellectual property
Shopify provides privacy policy and terms templates, but customize them for your specific practices.
Secure Your Customer Email List
Your customer email list is extremely valuable. Treat it as confidential:
- Don't share email lists with third parties without consent
- Encrypt backups of email lists
- Limit access to email data (only to staff who need it)
- Use secure email marketing tools (Klaviyo, Omnisend, etc.)
- Implement double opt-in for new subscribers
- Honor unsubscribe requests immediately
- Never sell customer emails to other businesses
- Secure your email marketing account with 2FA
Handle Payment Data Securely
While Shopify handles PCI compliance, you have responsibilities:
- Never store full credit card numbers in your system
- Use Shopify Payment or PCI-compliant payment processors
- Don't request card information via email
- Encrypt any payment-related communication
- Secure password access to payment settings
- Monitor for unauthorized transactions
- Implement fraud detection systems
- Have an incident plan for payment data breaches
Backup Your Customer Data
While Shopify maintains backups, maintaining your own copy is wise:
- Export customer data quarterly or monthly
- Store backups securely (encrypted, password-protected)
- Test data restoration to ensure backups work
- Keep multiple copies in different secure locations
- Include purchase history, customer info, and abandoned carts
- Automate backups using apps like Hyphens Keeper or Rewind
Respond to Data Breaches
Despite best efforts, breaches can occur. Have a response plan:
Immediate actions:
- Isolate and stop the breach (disconnect compromised systems)
- Assess what data was accessed
- Preserve evidence for investigation
- Notify your security team
Within 72 hours:
- Notify affected customers with clear information
- Provide credit monitoring or identity theft protection if needed
- Notify authorities (required by law in many jurisdictions)
- Document timeline and actions taken
- Contact Shopify Support for guidance
Within 7 days:
- Complete investigation
- Issue detailed breach notification with:
- Exactly what data was compromised
- When the breach occurred
- What you're doing to prevent recurrence
- How customers can protect themselves
- Offer credit monitoring or support
Additional Security Measures
Beyond the basics, implement these additional security layers:
Monitor Orders for Fraud
Review orders regularly for signs of fraud:
- Multiple orders from same IP address in short time
- Large orders to new addresses
- Mismatched billing and shipping addresses
- Orders from high-risk countries (depends on your business)
- Suspicious patterns (orders of same product, high values)
- New email addresses with many orders
- Velocity patterns (many orders in short period)
Tools to help:
- Shopify Fraud Tools (built-in)
- Signifyd (advanced fraud detection)
- Kount (machine learning fraud prevention)
- Manual review of suspicious orders before fulfillment
Use Strong Passwords for External Accounts
Your Shopify security depends on related accounts:
- Email account (for password resets and notifications)
- Domain registrar (for domain management)
- Hosting/DNS (if using custom domain)
- Payment processor (for payout access)
- Email marketing (customer communications)
- Analytics accounts (Google Analytics, etc.)
- Social media (store's social accounts)
Secure each with:
- Strong, unique password
- Two-factor authentication
- Limited access (only give staff what they need)
- Regular monitoring
Keep Software Updated
Vulnerabilities in your computer and software affect your Shopify security:
- Update operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Update browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
- Update password manager and other tools
- Install security patches promptly
- Use antivirus/malware protection on your computer
- Keep plugins and extensions updated or removed
Use a VPN for Remote Access
If you manage your store remotely:
- Use a VPN to encrypt your connection
- Avoid public WiFi for sensitive admin tasks
- Don't use public computers for store access
- Use a secure, dedicated computer for admin access
Enable HTTPS for Custom Domains
If using a custom domain with Shopify:
- Use Shopify Managed SSL (included free)
- Verify the SSL certificate is installed
- Enable HSTS headers
- Redirect HTTP to HTTPS automatically
- Test your SSL certificate (SSLLabs.com)
Creating a Security Culture
Security is not one person's responsibility—it's everyone's:
Train Your Team
Ensure staff understand security:
- Explain why security matters
- Show how to spot phishing emails
- Train on password security
- Teach proper access control
- Review security policies quarterly
- Create consequences for security violations
Document Your Policies
Write down security procedures:
- Access control policy (who can access what)
- Password policy (strength, updates, sharing)
- Incident response policy (what to do if breached)
- App installation policy (how to vet and install apps)
- Data handling policy (how to protect customer data)
- Remote access policy (how to work securely remotely)
Regular Security Reviews
Schedule periodic security audits:
- Monthly: Check admin access logs, review installed apps, monitor fraud alerts
- Quarterly: Full security audit, app permission review, staff access review
- Annually: Comprehensive security assessment, update policies, train team
Recommended Security Tools and Services
Shopify-Native Tools
- Shopify Fraud Tools - Built-in fraud detection
- Shopify Email - Secure customer communication
- Shopify Payments - Secure payment processing
Third-Party Security Apps
- Signifyd - Advanced fraud prevention
- Kount - Machine learning fraud detection
- ThreatMetrix - Account protection and risk assessment
- Rewind - Automated daily backups (app data backup)
- Hyphens Keeper - Customer data backups
Security Monitoring
- Google Workspace/Microsoft 365 - Secure email and collaboration
- 1Password/Bitwarden - Password management
- Authy/Google Authenticator - Two-factor authentication
- LastPass/Dashlane - Password vault and sharing
External Services
Consider working with an e-commerce expert to audit your security. A professional can identify vulnerabilities you might miss.
Get your free Shopify security audit to identify specific vulnerabilities in your store. We'll review your setup and provide personalized recommendations.
Quick Security Checklist
- Enable two-factor authentication on all admin accounts
- Create strong, unique password (14+ characters)
- Review and limit staff permissions
- Remove inactive staff accounts
- Audit installed apps monthly
- Delete unused apps
- Review app permissions
- Set up fraud monitoring
- Implement privacy policy
- Encrypt customer data backups
- Enable SSL/HTTPS
- Monitor admin login activity
- Train staff on security
- Document security policies
- Schedule quarterly security reviews
Getting Help with Shopify Security
Shopify security doesn't have to be complicated, but it does require attention and ongoing monitoring. If you're feeling overwhelmed or want expert guidance, we're here to help.
Schedule a free security consultation with our e-commerce specialists. We'll review your current setup, identify risks, and create a customized security roadmap for your store.
If you're looking to optimize your entire Shopify setup—from security to performance to conversions—consider working with Shopify and connecting with experts who understand the platform deeply.
Conclusion
Your Shopify store's security is paramount to your success. Shopify provides excellent built-in security features, but your vigilance and proper configuration are essential. By implementing these best practices—strong passwords, two-factor authentication, careful app management, and customer data protection—you can significantly reduce your risk of security breaches.
Remember that security is an ongoing process, not a one-time setup. Stay informed about new threats, keep your knowledge current, and review your security practices regularly. Your customers trust you with their information and payment data. Protecting that trust is your most important responsibility.
For a deeper dive into how to operate a secure, high-performing Shopify store, explore Shopify's resources or contact our team for a personalized assessment.
Your store's security is worth the investment.
Questions about Shopify security? Book a free consultation with our e-commerce team, or audit your store's security today.