SSL certificates are data files used to bind a cryptographic key to an organization. These certificates are necessary as they provide data integrity, security, and privacy. Without them, a browser’s personal information can be accessed by third parties looking to steal information such as passwords, credit card numbers and usernames.
What Are the Different Types of SSL Certificates?
You can choose from extended validation certificates, organization validated certificates, domain validated certificates, multi-domain certificates, and wildcard certificates.
- Domain validated certificates offer basic data encryption, with the additional benefit of being issued in a matter of minutes. However, they provide a low level of trust
- Extended validation certificates offer more than your basic data encryption. They come with a green address bar which is a symbol of trust
- Organization validated certificates offer the same level of security as extended ones, but they do not come with the green address bar
- Multi-domain certificates are ideal if you have multiple domains and you do not want to install separate SSL certificates for each of them
- Wildcard certificates are big money-saver certificate because with the single certificate you can secure your main domain and its multiple sub-domains.
Before embarking on the steps provided below, it is important to note that you cannot use an SSL certificate for shared hosting without a dedicated IP address.
Step 1
You will need to purchase SSL certificate from your client area. The purchase will be a permanent one, so it would be in your best interest to choose a certificate that suits your needs. It is also wise to find out the best deal from different sellers of certificates as the prices vary from one seller to another.
Step 2
After purchasing your choice of SSL certificate, you will get a confirmation email from your issuer, with a link for you to click on to confirm your purchase.
Step 3
From your Control Panel, choose the domain you want to create the CSR for. You cannot fill a CSR that has not been generated. When asked for the certificate name type in the name of your domain. From there select the number of bits.
As you fill in the different fields, ensure the information you are typing is the same as the information you filled in the purchase form. When prompted to fill in your city and state, write them in full. Do not abbreviate them.
Step 4
After you enter all the fields, click on “Request”. You will be taken back to the certificates screen after which you should click on the certificate you have made. At the bottom of your screen, you will find the CSR which you should copy and paste in your client area.
Step 5
The step involves filling in an email address which will be used as the Certificate Approver Email. For this reason, it is important that the email is a permanent one. Click on “Continue” and a message will pop up confirming that the configuration is complete. You will get a confirmation message sent to the email address. Open the email and click on “I Approve”.
After clicking on the approval button, you will receive another email stating that your certificate is ready for installation.
Step 6
After receiving the certificate you should login in and choose the domain that will use that particular certificate. Click on “Certificate field” and copy the Web Server Certificate and fill it into that text box. Use the “Intermediate CA” to fill in the “CA certificate” text box. Click on the “send” button.
For secure hosting, click on your Control Panel, select your IP address and choose the IP address assigned to your server. In the certificate field, include the new certificate that you just created. Before your certificate is active, you will need to click on “Service Management” and switch off the web server. Switch it back on and your SSL certificate will be fully installed.
The whole process, from start to finish, shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes especially if you entered all the fields correctly.