With the approach of high demand dates such as Christmas and Black Friday, e-commerce in Brazil is preparing for a significant increase in cyber attacks.To ensure the security and stability of its platforms, many companies are already taking preventive measures to avoid problems during the shopping period.
These efforts include reviewing security breaches, fixing slowdowns, and errors that can result in attacks and fraud, affecting both user experience and brand reputation.A PwC study shows that more than half of consumers (55%) would avoid buying from a company after a negative experience, and 8% would give up after a single unfavorable incident.
“Investing in the quality and security of digital systems not only avoids financial and image losses, but also ensures a positive experience for users, strengthening brand trust and promoting success in high traffic” events, says Wagner Elias, CEO of Conviso, a company specializing in application security (AppSec).
Recent cases, such as the Facebook data leak and the Latam/Multiplus system failures, highlight the importance of robust preparation.According to a report by the Consortium for Information & Software Quality (CISQ) of 2020, the number of system failures increases by about 15% per year.In addition, Security Magazine revealed that software failures caused a loss of 2.4 trillion dollars in the United States in 2022, with a growth of 1.52 trillion dollars in the technical“divide”, referring to the rework of software deficiencies.
Application Security
The protection of e-commerce software is carried out through application security, a market that is expected to grow globally, reaching US$ 25 billion in 2029, according to Mordor Intelligence. This work involves a comprehensive and detailed view of the vulnerabilities of a system and the implementation of early defense mechanisms.
“In a comparative way, it works like this: when you park your car, you consider if the place is safe and if there are measures to be taken to protect the vehicle. Likewise, problems are anticipated and strategies are created to avoid” risks, explains Luiz Henrique Custodio, TechLead at Conviso.
Custos suggests that companies constantly review their platforms to identify and fix potential security breaches, creating a culture of security.In addition, for large events, it is crucial that companies invest in robust infrastructure and perform load testing to ensure their systems can handle access spikes.
Consumers Should Stay Attentive
Wagner Elias emphasizes that precaution is critical for both businesses and consumers. For consumers, this involves following safe practices when browsing and transacting online.“Always opt for secure payment methods such as Google Pay, Apple Pay or credit cards, which offer legal protection in case of problems with the salesperson”, advises Elias.
It also highlights the importance of keeping smartphone and PC software up to date, as criminals often exploit security loopholes in outdated systems. “Avoid downloading apps and software from suspicious sources, and if you need to download a link, carefully check the information and ratings of the” app, Elias warns. “Watch offers that seem too good to be true; they can hide fraudulent intentions.”
Fraudulent websites often mimic known stores to steal personal and financial information. Elias suggests always checking if the website URL starts with 'HTTPS’ and features a padlock icon in the address bar. “Fake websites usually do not have these features. Also, be aware of grammatical and typing errors, and make sure the website provides clear contact information such as email, phone, and physical address”.
Other common fraud strategies include phishing scams, where criminals try to obtain personal information through fake messages, and fake apps, which often contain malware. “To avoid these problems, download apps only from official stores such as the App Store and Play Store. Also be aware of pop-ups that offer fake antivirus downloads, as they can be used to steal sensitive data”, concludes Elias.