Installing SSL Certificates With A Few Simple Steps



An SSL certificate is an abbreviation for Secure socket layer certificate. These certificates actually protect information on websites by not allowing outside sources to view them. As a result, other people cannot impersonate your identity. SSL certificates encrypt any data that is passed between a consumer’s personal computers or servers. Therefore, SSL certificates allow safe and secure business transactions by preventing any sort of impersonation attacks or threats.


Installing SSL certificates is An Easy Process

Before you start doing anything, it is important to determine the server you are using. It is also important to determine the type of certificate which you are using. Usually, an Apache server is used for installing SSL certificates. However, Microsoft and some other servers also use SSL certificates. SSL for Apache by Webspace Creations can be a good option. There are two different types of certificates:

●    Regular certificates
●    Extended Validation certificates

It is also important to confirm that there is a dedicated IP address associated with your website. In order to install SSL certificates, you need a dedicated IP address. Therefore, you will need to switch to it if you have a shared hosting plan.

A server and signer usually determine the installation process of SSL certificates. Therefore, steps to installation will always vary with different servers and signers. In order to install SSL certificates on an Apache server, you need to do go ahead as mentioned below.

First of all, you have to create a private key and a certificate signing request, which is also known as CSR. These are the first two steps while installing an SSL certificate. You will have to use a utility on the server which is known as openssl. This can be found in the bin directory on your server which is specific to a certificate. You should create compressed text files so that you can use them as random seeds when you go ahead with key generation.

You will have to use an RSA key generator command. This can be done by using the text files created by you. You should usually use 1024 bit encryption. Once you are done with this, you will be prompted for a password. You should choose a secure password. The password should be something which you can easily remember. It should contain upper as well as lower case letters. In case you lose your password, you will have to buy a new certificate. Therefore, it is important to note down the password in a safe place. The key should also be backed up on some sort of media device.

You have to use openssl utility with a special command so that you can generate a certificate signing request. Once you try to generate a certificate signing request, you will be asked for some information. This may include your details like name, company’s name, location, domain name etc. SSL for Apache by Webspace Creations ensures that you are able to verify the certificate by using a signing authority. You can even self sign the certificate

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