Shopify Penetration Testing Tips for Securing Your Store

Let me just start by saying this. Shopify penetration testing is not like testing your own website or app. You do not get to throw tools at it and see what breaks. That is the fastest way to get into trouble.

But if you are responsible for securing a Shopify store — whether it’s your own or your client’s — then yes, Shopify penetration testing still has a place. You just need to approach it carefully.

I have worked with a few Shopify setups, and honestly, the security model is different. So, here’s a breakdown of what I’ve learned from doing security checks in and around Shopify.

First Thing — Know Shopify Penetration Testing Rules

Before you touch anything, understand this.

You cannot just go and test Shopify’s core infrastructure. That part is managed by them. You do not own the servers, the backend, the database, or the platform code. Shopify does.

And Shopify has a bug bounty program for researchers, but it comes with clear boundaries. Trying to test parts of the platform that are not yours is a no go. So, make sure you read their policies before doing anything else.

If you are testing your own store, though, that is a different story.

Similar Guide: Oracle Cloud Penetration Testing Tips

So, What Can You Test Safely During Shopify Pen Test

When it comes to Shopify penetration testing, your scope is usually the stuff you control. That means:

• Themes and custom code
• Third party apps you’ve added
• Any liquid templates and JS you’ve modified
• Public facing parts of your store
• Admin access and account protections

That is your playground. And trust me, there is plenty to look into there.

Look At Themes and Templates

This is one of the first places I check. Because stores often bring in developers or freelancers to build custom themes. And that can mean risky code slips in.

Look for things like:

• Reflected inputs in templates
• Custom forms that do not validate input
• Unescaped user data being rendered in HTML

Even small mistakes here can lead to things like stored cross site scripting. And since Shopify lets you edit themes right from the dashboard, a lot of people do not go through code reviews or security checks.

Don’t Ignore JavaScript

JavaScript files can leak more than you expect. So, check JS also during Shopify Penetration testing.

I once saw a store that had debug logs printing out sensitive user info in the browser console. Totally unintentional. But still very risky.

Look through your custom scripts. Check what data is being stored or sent. Make sure nothing sensitive is sitting in the client-side code for anyone to see.

Third-Party Apps Deserve Attention

A lot of Shopify stores rely on apps from the app store. And most of them are fine. But some of them ask for more permissions than they need.

As a tester, I like to look at what apps are installed and what scopes they’ve been given. Are they reading order data? Customer info? Can they make changes?

You might not be able to audit their backend, but you can still test how they behave in your store. Look for insecure redirects, exposed APIs, or broken integrations.

Check Access Controls

Sometimes, security is not about finding a big exploit. It is just about spotting lazy access settings.

Does everyone use strong passwords? Is two factors turned on for all admin accounts? Are former employees still active?

Try logging in with a test user. See what they can access. Try reaching admin pages without logging in. Or editing your browser cookies to switch roles.

These small checks can prevent real headaches later. So, this also when you start Shopify penetration testing.

Respect the Shared Responsibility

One thing I have learned with platforms like Shopify is that security is shared. Shopify handles the heavy lifting — server security, backend code, payment processing and so on.

You, the store owner or developer, are responsible for the rest — theme code, app integrations, user management, and basic hygiene.

So, when you do Shopify penetration testing, you are not testing Shopify. You are testing how your store is built on top of it.

That shift in mindset makes all the difference.

Some Quick Do’s and Don’ts

Do

• Test only what you own or control
• Review theme and app code regularly
• Use staging environments when possible
• Follow Shopify’s security guidelines

Don’t

• Try to bypass platform protections
• Scan or attack Shopify infrastructure
• Assume apps are always secure
• Forget to clean up test accounts or data

Wrapping It Up

Shopify might feel like a closed platform at first. But once you understand what yours is to test, it opens up.

Shopify Penetration testing in this space is less about breaking the platform and more about building smart, secure stores. It is about catching the small things — the open redirect, the bad form input, the old app nobody uses but still has full access.

If you are working on a Shopify store, or helping someone secure one, my advice is simple start with what you control. Review the theme. Check the apps. Strengthen access. And keep security in your workflow from day one.

And if you have done some testing in Shopify and found something interesting, feel free to share. We all learn better when we keep the conversation going.

Let’s keep building safe stores that don’t just look good but stay secure too.