How do I install an SSL certificate on my website?

How do I install an SSL certificate on my website?

To install an SSL certificate, you'll first need to purchase one from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). After that, you can follow these steps: 1. Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) on your server. 2. Submit the CSR to your CA. 3. Once you receive the certificate, upload it to your server. 4. Configure your web server to use the SSL certificate. 5. Test your installation using an SSL checker.

What is a CSR and how do I generate one?

A CSR, or Certificate Signing Request, is a block of encoded text that you send to the CA to apply for an SSL certificate. You can generate a CSR using your web server's control panel or command line. For example, on Apache, you can use OpenSSL with the command: openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout yourdomain.key -out yourdomain.csr.

Do I need to renew my SSL certificate?

Yes, SSL certificates have an expiration date, typically ranging from 1 to 2 years. You need to renew your certificate before it expires to maintain secure connections.

What happens if my SSL certificate expires?

If your SSL certificate expires, users will see a warning message when trying to access your site, which can lead to loss of trust and traffic. It's crucial to renew it on time.