Shopify store security: a complete guide

Shopify as a SaaS platform offers many built-in security features:

• SSL/TLS — encrypted connections for the entire store, no manual certificate installation.
• PCI DSS Level 1 — highest level of payment card security standards; Shopify is certified and responsible for transaction security.
• Fastly CDN — global content delivery network with built-in DDoS protection.
• Automatic updates — Shopify updates infrastructure without downtime and without action from the store owner.
• Data isolation — each Shopify store runs in an isolated environment.

One of the simplest and most effective security measures is mandatory 2FA for all admin accounts. Shopify Plus allows enforcing 2FA for all organisation users via Organization Settings:

• Configuration in Shopify admin → Settings → Users and permissions → Security.
• Supported methods: authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy), hardware security key (YubiKey).
• Shopify Plus: ability to enforce 2FA for the entire organisation from Organization Settings.

Principle of least privilege is the foundation of secure store management:

• Each employee should have only the permissions necessary for their job.
• Shopify offers granular roles: view-only, orders only, marketing, customer service, developer.
• Regularly review user list and immediately remove former employees' accounts after departure.
• Log accesses — Shopify admin shows activity history.

Each installed Shopify app has access to store data according to granted permissions. Rules for secure app management:

• Only install apps from Shopify App Store that have passed Shopify's review.
• Check permissions before installation — a review app does not need access to financial data.
• Regularly review installed apps and remove unused ones.
• Monitor API permissions of installed apps in settings.

Stores operating in the EU must comply with GDPR:

• Privacy policy — clear, understandable and accessible; Shopify offers a privacy policy generator.
• Cookie consent — cookie consent banner compliant with requirements: Cookiebot, OneTrust or Shopify's built-in module.
• Right to be forgotten — ability to delete customer data on request, available in Shopify admin.
• Data Processing Agreements — Shopify offers GDPR-compliant DPA for all EU stores.
• Data minimisation — collect only data necessary for order fulfillment.

Shopify offers several layers of protection against fraudulent orders:

• Shopify Fraud Protect (for Shopify Payments) — automatic protection; if order is classified as protected, Shopify covers losses in case of chargeback.
• Fraud Analysis — built-in risk analysis for each order with High/Medium/Low risk score.
• Signifyd — advanced anti-fraud platform with chargeback guarantees.
• NoFraud — Signifyd alternative with pay-per-protected-order model.

Shopify stores customer passwords as bcrypt hash — a secure algorithm resistant to brute force attacks. When migrating from older platforms, passwords may require customer reset if the old platform used weaker hashing.

Shopify store security is a combination of the platform's built-in safeguards and actions by the store owner. Shopify handles infrastructure and PCI DSS, but access management, GDPR, third-party apps and anti-fraud require active engagement.

Want a security audit of your Shopify store? Contact us.