Why Hack PrestaShop Stores and How to Protect Yourself: Practical Security for Your Online Business🛡️

The security of an online store is not just a technical issue — it’s the foundation of your business’s stability. If your PrestaShop-based store is hacked, cybercriminals can gain access not only to your customers' data but also to your server and all internal resources. Let's explore why online stores are targeted, how hacks are carried out, and what you can do to protect yourself, including modern tools such as a virus scanner and a real-time monitoring system.

🧨 Why Hackers Target PrestaShop Stores

This is one of the most frequent questions from online store owners. In reality, there are several reasons why attackers target PrestaShop-based websites:

• Stealing customer data: Including emails, phone numbers, passwords, and addresses.

• Sending spam and malware: Hacked websites are used to send bulk spam or distribute malicious software.

• DDoS attacks from your server: Your store may become part of a botnet and attack other websites.

• Modifying the payment system: Hackers replace the payment form with a phishing version, redirecting customer funds to their own accounts.

• Placing external links or redirects: Search engines may blacklist your site for spreading harmful links.

• Cryptojacking: Some attacks inject code that secretly mines cryptocurrency using your server’s resources.

In all of these cases, you may not immediately notice the attack — but your customers, reputation, and income will suffer greatly.

💣 How Hackers Break In: The Most Common Methods

Here are the main ways cybercriminals gain access to your PrestaShop store:

• Outdated modules and themes: Vulnerabilities in unupdated extensions give hackers an easy entry point.

• Use of nulled software: Downloading modules and themes from suspicious sources (like “nulled” sites) often includes built-in malicious code. Read more here

• Weak passwords: Passwords like admin123 are still surprisingly common.

• Open file permissions and misconfigured servers: These allow attackers to upload scripts and execute harmful commands.

• Access credentials shared with third parties: If you’ve ever shared access, change passwords immediately afterward.

• SQL injections and code vulnerabilities: Especially relevant when using poorly written custom modules.

🛡️ How to Protect Your PrestaShop Store

Security is not a one-time step — it’s a continuous process that includes:

• Regularly updating the CMS, modules, and themes.

• Using strong passwords and changing them periodically.

• Installing modules only from verified sources.

• Keeping regular backups.

• Monitoring unusual activity and access attempts.

• Limiting access rights for external developers.

One of the most efficient ways to improve your store's security is using modern tools — such as the Ewonta.Shop platform.

🚀 Ewonta.Shop: A Big Step Toward a Secure PrestaShop Store

The Ewonta.Shop platform is designed for store owners who value stability and control. Here’s what it offers:

🔍 Advanced Virus Scanner

Scans not only files but also the database, detecting deeply hidden malicious code and altered admin access scripts. Searches for vulnerabilities specific to PrestaShop.

🤖 Intelligent Bot Protection

Blocks automatic registration and the abuse of contact forms by bots and spam scripts.

🧹 System Cleaner

Removes temporary and obsolete files and cleans the database from junk entries that accumulate over time and slow down the site.

📊 Uptime and Status Monitoring

Tracks site availability 24/7 — you'll be notified immediately if the site goes down or is overloaded.

🔐 Integrating DDoS Protection at the Hosting Level

Enhance your security by integrating server-level DDoS protection offered by modern hosting providers.​

Benefits include:

• Shielding your store from overloads caused by multiple simultaneous requests.​

• Reducing the risk of downtime due to automated attacks.​

• Improving stability and page load speeds, even under heavy traffic.​

This is particularly vital for PrestaShop-based online stores handling numerous daily user interactions.

We recommend enabling monitoring, scanning, and cleaning features on a regular basis. This helps avoid unpleasant surprises and keeps your online business running smoothly, quickly, and safely 🛒🔒

💬 Have you ever wondered why online stores are hacked? Share your thoughts in the comments — let’s make PrestaShop more secure together!