Did you know that in 2022 alone, the United States witnessed 1,802 data compromises, affecting over 422 million individuals? These figures, reported by Statista, highlight the escalating threat landscape in the cyber world. The consequences of these breaches range from financial losses to severe reputational damage.
Magento 2, a popular eCommerce platform, is no stranger to these threats. However, it offers a robust ecosystem of Magento extensions that can significantly enhance the security of your eCommerce store. These extensions are designed to safeguard your store from various cyber threats, such as brute force attacks, data leaks, and unauthorized access.
This article will explore the top Magento 2 security extensions that can fortify your Magento store against potential security risks. We’ll explore their features, limitations, pricing, and more to help you make an informed decision.
Why are Magento 2 Security Extensions Important?
Magento 2 security extensions act as a robust shield against a multitude of cyber threats. From brute force attacks to data leaks, these extensions are designed to tackle a wide range of security risks. They monitor and control failed login attempts, restrict access to certain IP addresses, and even manage user permissions. In essence, they provide comprehensive Magento security for your store.
These extensions help maintain the trust and confidence of your customers. In an era where customer data breaches are becoming increasingly common, ensuring the security of your customers’ information is paramount. Using Magento 2 security extensions, you can assure your customers that their data is safe and secure, enhancing their trust in your online store.
What are common Magento 2 security threats?
- Brute Force Attacks: This is a trial-and-error method used by hackers to gain access to your admin panel. They attempt various combinations of usernames and passwords until they find the correct login details.
- Outdated Security Patches: Magento frequently releases security patches to fix any security loopholes in the system. However, not updating these patches in a timely manner can leave your Magento site vulnerable to attacks.
- Malware Attacks: Hackers can inject malicious code into your Magento website, leading to data breaches and other possible security risks.
- Unpatched Security Issues: If your Magento store is running on an outdated Magento version, it could have unpatched security issues that hackers can exploit.
How to Choose the Right Magento 2 Security Extension?
With so many options available in the Magento marketplace, how do you make the right choice? Here are some key factors to consider:
- Compatibility: Ensure that the security extension is compatible with your Magento store’s version. An incompatible extension can lead to conflicts and may not function as intended.
- Reviews and Ratings: Look for extensions with positive reviews and high ratings. This can give you an idea about the extension’s performance and reliability. Remember, other store owners’ experiences can provide valuable insights.
- Regular Updates: Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and so should your security measures. Choose extensions that are regularly updated to combat the latest security threats.
- Features: Different extensions offer different features. Some may focus on preventing brute force attacks, while others might be designed to manage user permissions. Choose an extension that caters to your specific security needs.
- Ease of Use: The extension should be user-friendly and easy to configure. A complex extension can be difficult to manage and may not be fully utilized.
- Support: Look for extensions that offer reliable support. In case of any issues or queries, you should be able to reach out to the support team for assistance.
- Pricing: While free extensions can be tempting, they may not offer comprehensive security features. Paid extensions, on the other hand, often provide more advanced features and better support.
The 7 Best Magento 2 Security Extensions and Tools
1. Two-Factor Authentication by XTENTO
Two-Factor Authentication by XTENTO is a Magento 2 security extension designed to add an extra layer of protection to your e-commerce store. It’s a simple yet effective way to enhance your store’s security, ensuring that your Magento account is accessible only to your staff members. This extension is based on the two-step verification method, which is widely used by industry leaders like Google and Facebook.
Features
- Secure Two-Step Authentication: This feature enhances your Magento admin panel’s security by requiring a second form of authentication in addition to the usual login credentials. Your mobile device becomes a necessary component of your authentication, providing an additional security code for login.
- Protection Against Common Internet Threats: The extension helps protect your store from common internet threats like keyloggers, data sniffing, and unsecured Wi-Fi connections.
- Google Authenticator Integration: The extension integrates with the Google Authenticator app, which generates security codes every 30 seconds. This feature ensures that even if your login credentials are compromised, an additional security code is required for login.
- Whitelist IP Addresses: This feature allows you to add reliable IP addresses to a whitelist, exempting them from the two-step verification process. This can be particularly useful if you want to free some IP addresses, such as those used by your company, from double-checkup.
- Role-Based Authentication Settings: The extension allows you to configure two-factor authentication settings for each admin role individually. This means you can enable the additional security code for each specific staff member in your company.
Compatibility
- Magento 2 Community: 2.3.0 – 2.4.6
- Magento 2 Enterprise (Adobe Commerce & Cloud): 2.3.0 – 2.4.6
- Magento 1 Community: 1.4.1.0 – 1.9.4.5
- Magento 1 Enterprise: 1.10.0.0 – 1.14.4.5
- Magento 1 OpenMage (LTS): Supported
Limitations
While the Two-Factor Authentication by XTENTO provides robust security features, it’s important to note that no security measure is 100% foolproof. For instance, the extension requires sharing your mobile phone number, and there’s a possibility of distant circumvention with SMS-based authentication.
Pricing
The pricing of the Two-Factor Authentication by XTENTO starts at $149.
2. MageReport by Hypernode
MageReport, developed by Hypernode, is a well-known tool in the Magento community. It’s a free service that scans your Magento website for known security vulnerabilities such as brute force attacks, unpatched security issues, and more. It’s an essential tool for store owners who want to ensure their Magento website is secure and free from potential threats.
Features
- Identifies security risks, including brute force attacks and unpatched vulnerabilities.
- Presents a comprehensive report of vulnerabilities, helping you understand and address security loopholes.
- Stays up-to-date with the latest Magento security patches, ensuring constant protection against emerging threats.
- Offers a user-friendly interface for effortless security audits of your Magento website.
- Web-based tool, no need to install extensions or plugins on your Magento store.
- Provides a handy checklist to guide you in fixing vulnerabilities found during the scan.
- Trusted by the Magento community worldwide, making it a reliable security tool for your store.
Limitations
While MageReport is a powerful tool, it does have some limitations:
- Limited to Known Vulnerabilities: MageReport can only scan for known vulnerabilities. It may not detect new or unknown threats to your Magento store.
- No Automated Fixes: MageReport identifies vulnerabilities but doesn’t fix them. Store owners will need to address these issues themselves or seek professional help.
- No Continuous Monitoring: MageReport provides a one-time scan. It doesn’t offer continuous monitoring or real-time alerts for security issues.
Pricing
One of the best things about MageReport is that it’s completely free.
3. Improved Admin Security by Swissuplabs
Improved Admin Security stands out as a robust tool designed to enhance the security of your Magento store’s admin panel. Developed by Templates Master, this extension is designed to fortify your store against unauthorized logins and potential hacker attacks. It employs two-factor authentication based on the Google Authenticator application, adding an extra layer of security to your admin login process.
Features
- Two-Factor Authentication
- Selective Two-Factor Authentication
- Admin Login Actions Logs
- IP Address Restrictions
- Admin Activity Logs
- Detailed Change Logs (config and product changes)
Compatibility
- Magento Community Edition (CE): CE 1.9.4.5, CE 1.9.4.4, CE 1.9.4.3, CE 1.9.4.2, CE 1.9.4.1, CE 1.9.4.0
- Magento Enterprise Edition (EE): EE 1.14.2.0, EE 1.14.1.0, EE 1.14.0.1, EE 1.13.1.0, EE 1.13.0.2, EE 1.13.0.0
Limitations
While the Improved Admin Security extension offers robust security features, it’s important to note that it doesn’t guarantee protection if FTP access or an admin session is acquired by attackers.
Pricing
The Improved Admin Security extension is available for purchase at $79.
4. Spam And Bot Blocker For Magento 2 by MageAnts
The Magento 2 Spam and Bot Blocker Extension by Mageants is designed to automatically block spammers and bots from causing any harm to your web store. It is a powerful tool that can protect your site from spammers, block .ru emails from registering onto your site, and even allows you to add bot names to the bot list for further action.
Features
- Blocks spammers by domain name, email ID, IP address, and first name length.
- Prevents bots from creating fake sign-ups and allows bot list management.
- Restricts fake registrations through error messages for IP, domain, and email blocks.
- Blocks registration from .ru email addresses.
Compatibility
- Magento Version 2.0.x – 2.4.x.
Limitations
It may not block all types of spam or bots, so additional security measures are recommended.
Pricing
Pricing starts at $59.
5. Magento 2 Security by Magedelight
Magento 2 Security by Magedelight, also known as CyberSource Secure Acceptance, is a robust solution designed to enhance the security of your Magento 2 store with safe and fast transaction data transfer. This comprehensive solution is popular for providing a secure customer checkout experience. With the most secure payment transactions, it allows store owners to accept payments globally on web or mobile browsers. This extension facilitates merchants with features like saving customer credit card details on the CyberSource server and allowing customers to pay on the CyberSource website only.
Features
- Support for Accept.js: This feature allows for the secure handling of customer payment information, reducing the risk of data breaches.
- Save New Credit Cards: While placing an order, customers can enter new card details on the CyberSource Secure Acceptance website, and the card details will be saved on its secure server only.
- Manage Saved Cards: Customers can manage and edit existing cards and add new ones from the ‘My Account’ section.
- Generate Multiple Invoices: Allows the admin to generate multiple invoices for the same order for each or different quantity of the items from the back-end.
- Manage Refunds: Admin can manage and update the orders with all the details of refund (quantity and price).
Compatibility
Compatible with Magento Open Source (CE) 2.3.x – 2.4.x, Magento Commerce (EE) 2.3.x – 2.4.x, and Magento Commerce Cloud (ECE) 2.3.x – 2.4.x.
Limitations
The extension was discontinued on December 9, 2022, and may not receive further updates or support. It redirects customers to CyberSource’s webpage, which may not be suitable for all customers.
Pricing
Since the extension was discontinued, it was priced at $199, with additional costs applied for different Magento editions and installation services. However, starting from August 15, 2023, a subscription model for extension purchases will be launched.
6. Security Suite by Amasty
The Security Suite by Amasty is a comprehensive solution designed to protect your Magento 2 store from a variety of cyber threats. It helps you take control of your store management and eliminate all potential security issues like external hacker attacks, spamming, phishing, and even malicious actions by admin users.
Features
- Google Invisible reCaptcha: Protects your store from spam and bots, remaining invisible to customers unless suspicious activity is detected.
- Detailed Backend Activity Logs: Monitor all admin users’ actions, view detailed information, track active sessions, and access page visit history.
- Login Attempt Notifications: Receive alerts for suspicious login activity and logins from unfamiliar geolocations.
- Two-Step Authentication: Enhance security with mobile-based two-step authentication in addition to login credentials.
- User Permission Management: Easily assign role permissions to store managers, limiting access to specific products, categories, store views, and more.
Compatibility
The Security Suite by Amasty is compatible with Magento 2.3 and 2.4 versions, supporting both Community and Enterprise editions.
Limitations
While the Security Suite provides comprehensive security, no tool can offer 100% protection. Use it alongside other security measures like updates, strong passwords, and regular monitoring.
Pricing
The Security Suite by Amasty Pricing starts at $419, inclusive of 12 months of updates and support. Updates and support prolongation cost $255.
7. Magento 2 Security by Mageplaza
Magento 2 Security by Mageplaza is a comprehensive security solution designed to protect your online store from potential cyber threats. This extension is specifically built for Magento-based e-commerce platforms and is equipped with an effective warning system to alert you of any suspicious activities.
Features
- Blacklist/Whitelist IPs: This feature allows you to control access to your store by blacklisting or whitelisting specific IP addresses. This can help prevent unauthorized access and protect your store from potential cyber threats.
- Effective Warning System: The extension comes with an effective warning system that alerts you of any potential security risks. This can help you take immediate action and prevent any damage to your store.
- Admin Actions Log: This feature allows you to track all activities in your admin panel. This can help you monitor your store’s operations and identify any suspicious activities.
- Security Checklist: The extension provides a comprehensive security checklist that guides you through the process of securing your store. This can help you ensure that all necessary security measures are in place.
Compatibility
Magento 2 Security by Mageplaza is compatible with all Magento 2 versions.
Limitations
While Magento 2 Security by Mageplaza offers a range of features, it does not include some advanced security features such as two-factor authentication and a web application firewall. These features are typically available in premium security extensions.
Pricing
The pricing of Magento 2 security by Mageplaza starts at $99.
How Host Duplex’s Magento Hosting Services Enhance Security
The security of your Magento store doesn’t stop at extensions. Your hosting service plays a big role in providing a secure atmosphere for your Magento site.
Host Duplex’s Magento hosting services are designed with a high level of security in mind. Partnering with CloudFlare, Host Duplex provides an advanced web application firewall, shielding your Magento store from cyber threats. This collaboration ensures a secure environment for your business, safeguarding sensitive customer information.
Host Duplex also emphasizes the importance of security audits. They conduct regular audits to maintain a secure hosting environment. Various media outlets have recognized their security research, highlighting their commitment to security.
Additionally, Host Duplex provides 24/7 support. Engineers are always ready to assist with any security-related issues, ensuring your Magento store remains secure and operational.
Final Thoughts
Magento 2 security extensions protect your online store from cyber threats. From brute force attacks to suspicious login attempts, these extensions provide a robust defense mechanism, ensuring the safety of your customer data and the integrity of your Magento store.
We’ve explored top Magento security extensions’ features, limitations, and pricing, each offering unique capabilities to protect your e-commerce store. However, the security of your Magento store doesn’t stop at extensions. As we’ve discussed, choosing a reliable Magento hosting service like Host Duplex can further enhance your store’s security.
7 Top Magento 2 Security Extensions for Your E-commerce Store