SSL Certificates Guide
Welcome to your Digital Certificate Handbook. An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate creates an encrypted tunnel between your web server and your visitors’ browsers. This ensures that sensitive data—like passwords and credit card numbers—remains private and that your website is authenticated as genuine.
Today, security is mandatory. Modern browsers display “Not Secure” warnings for sites without encryption, and search engines prioritize secure sites in their rankings. This guide serves as your central hub for the entire SSL lifecycle:
- Getting Started: Learn the basics of What an SSL Certificate Is and how to Order a Standard or Premium SSL.
- Setup: Before installation, you must Generate a CSR and Verify Ownership of your domain.
- Installation: We provide step-by-step guides to install certificates on Linux Command Line, WHM / cPanel, Plesk, or InterWorx (SiteWorx).
- Maintenance: Keep your site secure by learning how to Renew your SSL or Troubleshoot Common Errors like “Connection Not Private.”
SSL Certificate Articles
This SSL Certificates Guide is a collection of articles that will guide you through understanding, installing, and managing SSL certificates for your website.
Ordering an SSL Certificate
Read more: Ordering an SSL CertificateSSL certificates secure web traffic with public key encryption. Verify website legitimacy with SSL. This article focuses on ordering SSL certificates.
Renewing an SSL Certificate
Read more: Renewing an SSL CertificateAll SSL certificates eventually expire. This guide walks you through the renewal process, which is very similar to ordering a brand new certificate.
Renewing an SSL Certificate on a Windows Core Managed Server
Read more: Renewing an SSL Certificate on a Windows Core Managed ServerRenewing an SSL Certificate on Windows Core Managed server via IIS is straightforward. Save the renewed certificate as a .cer file on the server and complete the renewal with these steps.
SSL Checker Tool
Read more: SSL Checker ToolWe’ve created a one-stop shop tool for our customers to use for troubleshooting their site. In here, you’ll find tools and articles to guide you through an SSL check.
Troubleshooting: SSL Errors
Read more: Troubleshooting: SSL ErrorsSSL certificate issues can disrupt online business operations. If your site displays an Insecure Status or other errors despite SSL installation, the problem likely falls into common categories. We can diagnose and resolve these issues to ensure your website’s security and smooth functioning.
Troubleshooting: Your Connection Is Not Private/Secure/Trusted
Read more: Troubleshooting: Your Connection Is Not Private/Secure/TrustedSeeing a privacy error for cPanel, WHM, or Plesk? Your server is likely using a self-signed SSL certificate, which browsers don’t automatically trust.
Use Let’s Encrypt for SSL Encryption with Plesk
Read more: Use Let’s Encrypt for SSL Encryption with PleskLearn how to install a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate on Plesk servers. This guide shows adding the extension to secure your domain.
Verifying an SSL Certificate
Read more: Verifying an SSL CertificateWhen setting up SSL for your site, you must verify your ownership. This article guides you through the verification process.