Once you have opened the Generate CSR tab fill in the form with the necessary information and submit your request.

The post Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) to issue an SSL Certificate a Website Hosted with AwardSpace appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

To top it all off, these days it is easier to get an SSL than ever before. And if you are on a tight budget or you are just starting your website, you can save money by taking advantage of a completely free SSL certificate.

In this article, we will briefly list the most important reasons you should consider buying an SSL. We will then proceed to show you how to get an SSL certificate on our hosting platform. You can read the entire article if you wish, or you can jump to the section that interests you:

• Why Do I Need to Get an SSL Certificate?
• What Are the Differences Between Paid and Free SSL Certificates?
• Should I Get a Paid or a Free SSL Certificate?
• What Are the Requirements to Use an SSL Certificate?
• How Can I Get an SSL Certificate?
  • How Can I Get a Free SSL Certificate?
  • How Can I Get a Premium SSL Certificate?
  • How Can I Get an SSL Certificate From a Third Party?
• What Should I Consider When Buying an SSL?
• Can I Use a “.well-known” Folder for Authentication During the SSL Issuing Process?
• Can I Get an SSL Certificate for a Subdomain?
• Can I Use a Single SSL Certificate With Multiple Hostnames?

Why Do I Need to Get an SSL Certificate?

Getting an SSL certificate will have a positive effect on your website thanks to several important SSL features. These are:

• data encryption ensures that all information between your site and your visitors is transmitted in a secure manner.
• better search ranking in major search engines like Google.
• accepting online payments on your site using credit and debit cards as well as other payment methods.
• increased user trust makes your visitors more comfortable when it comes to sharing personal or sensitive information.
• proof of legitimacy showing that your website is authentic and not a scam or a phishing attempt.
• enhanced brand recognition that sets your site apart from competitors with less secure websites.

What Are the Differences Between Paid and Free SSL Certificates?

Earlier in the article, we briefly mentioned that is possible to get an SSL certificate absolutely free of charge. With that in mind, you may be wondering why you should pay for an SSL certificate when you can get one without a price tag.

Generally speaking, there are four major differences between paid and free SSL certificates:

• certificate duration – most free SSL certificates expire in 1-3 months while paid SSL certificates usually last 1-2 years.
• level of support – due to the sheer number of users employing free SSL certificates, most free SSL providers offer minimal technical support or sometimes no support at all. SSL certificates that cost money, on the other hand, always have dedicated support teams that are ready to assist you in case you run into any issues.
• level of authentication – free SSL certificates offer only the most basic domain-level authentication. This means that a free SSL will only vouch that you are the owner of the domain name in question. In contrast, some paid SSLs can perform extensive validations of the company or organization that has requested the SSL.
• warranty – as you might imagine, free SSL certificates come as-is with no implied warranties. If something breaks on the issuer’s side and your free SSL becomes invalid, there will be no recourse available to you. With a paid SSL, on the other hand, you will be eligible for monetary compensation. The compensation amount will vary depending on the severity of the issue and the particular SSL that you have purchased.

One of our core beliefs is that SSL makes the web a safer place. As such, we have taken steps to mitigate some of the drawbacks of the free SSL certificate option.

When you host your domain on AwardSpace and get a free SSL certificate from us, we will handle all certificate renewals for you. What is more, our 24/7 Technical Support Team is ready to assist you in case you have any issues with your SSL. All that you need to do is to make sure that you are using one of our paid hosting plans to take advantage of our free SSL features.

Should I Get a Paid or a Free SSL Certificate?

As a general rule, we recommend getting a free SSL certificate if you:

• run a small blog or a personal site.
• have a portfolio or a CV online.
• are still in the process of building and testing your website.

Conversely, a paid SSL certificate will be better suited if you:

• run an online store.
• perform any financial transactions on your site.
• collect sensitive information such as bank or contact details.
• own or manage the online presence of a large company.

In the sections below, we will provide instructions on how to get a paid or a free SSL certificate, but before doing so, we will briefly touch on the requirements that must be met to activate an SSL certificate.

What Are the Requirements to Use an SSL Certificate?

Using an SSL is a premium feature. As such, you need to be using one of our paid hosting plans or Semi-Dedicated servers. If you happen to be using our free website hosting service, you should consider upgrading as our free hosting does not support SSL.

Additionally, each SSL certificate requires the use of a Private IP address. Therefore, purchasing a Private IP is necessary for the activation and continued operation of the SSL certificate. For additional information, read our article on what happens if the IP for SSL expires.

Now that you have an idea of the requirements that must be met to use an SSL, you can proceed to learn how to get an SSL certificate for your website.

How Can I Get an SSL Certificate?

Depending on your preference and needs, there are three ways you can obtain an SSL – you can get a free SSL certificate from AwardSpace, purchase a premium SSL from AwardSpace, and upload a custom certificate that you have acquired through a third party. We will examine each approach in greater detail below.

How Can I Get a Free SSL Certificate?

To get a free SSL certificate through AwardSpace, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the domain name that you wish to secure with SSL.
3. Open the Upload Your Certificate tab.
4. Scroll past the Certificate, Private Key and CA Certificate fields and click on the Create Free Certificate button.

Once you click on the Create Free Certificate button, the free SSL certificate should be automatically installed and in a few moments, you will see a notification that the installation has been completed successfully. If you receive an error message instead, make sure that your domain name is using our nameservers, wait an hour, and then try creating a free SSL certificate one more time. If the issue persists, you can get in touch with our 24/7 Technical Support Team for further assistance.

How Can I Get a Premium SSL Certificate?

You can get a paid SSL by performing the steps outlined below:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the domain name that you wish to secure with SSL.
3. Open the Buy SSL Certificate tab.
4. Click on the Get an SSL Certificate button.
5. You will be taken to a page where you need to place a checkmark before the name of the SSL that you wish to purchase. Currently, we offer the following premium SSL certificates:
   • RapidSSL
   • GeoTrust QuickSSL
   • GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium
   • GeoTrust True BusinessID
   • GeoTrust TrueBizID with EV
   • GeoTrust TrueBizID Wildcard

You can check the GeoTrust SSL comparison page to get more information on the differences between the various paid SSL options. If you are still unsure which certificate to pick, you can contact our 24/7 Sales Team for a quick consultation.

6. After you have placed a checkmark before the SSL that you intend to purchase, enter the domain name that you wish to secure in the Hostname field that pops up.
7. Scroll to the bottom of the page and place a checkmark before the IP for the SSL option.
8. In the Hostname field, enter the same domain as you did earlier.
9. Press the Continue button.
10. Select a payment method, verify that your billing information is correct, and proceed with the payment.
11. Once the payment is made successfully, allow a few hours for the SSL to be issued. Our Sales team will install it on your domain name on your behalf.

How Can I Get an SSL Certificate From a Third Party?

The great thing about our hosting platform is that it is compatible with most third-party SSL providers such as Comodo, Digicert, GeoTrust, GlobalSign, Thawte, and others. So if you decide not to use our built-in SSL solutions, you may do so. The main downside of getting an SSL certificate through a third party is that you will need to install the SSL manually.

Follow the steps below to learn how to get and install an SSL certificate from a third party:

1. In most cases, you would need to generate a CSR. A CSR (Certificate Signing Request) is commonly used while issuing your SSL certificate. You can generate a CSR using the SSL Manager. For more information on this process, you can check our guide on how to generate a CSR.

1. With the CSR now ready, you can contact your SSL issuer and ask them to issue your SSL. At some point in this process, you will be prompted to specify the type of web server that is powering your site. You need to select Apache + MOD_SSL.
2. Depending on your SSL issuer, it may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days for your SSL to be issued. Once your SSL is issued, go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
3. Click on the domain name where you wish to upload your custom SSL certificate.
4. Open the Upload Your Certificate tab.
5. Paste the values of your SSL certificate into the Certificate, Private Key, and CA Certificate fields. If you have trouble doing so, read our tutorial on how to install a custom SSL certificate.
6. Once you have pasted the SSL values, press the Upload SSL Certificate button.
7. If everything goes well, you should see a confirmation message informing you that your SSL certificate was successfully uploaded. If you run into any issues, you can always contact your SSL provider or our Support Team for help.

Getting an SSL certificate from a third party gives you a lot of choice and freedom to pick the certificate that is right for you. However, not all certificates are created equal. In the section that follows, we will discuss some SSL characteristics that you should keep in mind when buying an SSL certificate.

What Should I Consider When Buying an SSL?

The SSL certificates offered by different vendors can vary in their features, compatibility, and security. Below, we will show you how to get the right SSL certificate by listing a few noteworthy features that your SSL should support:

• Server support. An SSL certificate will be of little use to you if it is not compatible with the server that powers your site. As such, making sure that the SSL can be installed on the server is a must. Our servers use Apache + MOD_SSL.
• Intermediate CA certificate availability. Intermediate CA certificates are optional parts of the SSL, but they increase web browser compatibility. Your SSL issuer should be able to provide you with an Intermediate CA certificate along with your main certificate. To learn more, read our article on what is the purpose of the CA certificate.
• SHA-256 support. SSL certificates are only as strong as the cryptographic algorithm that they are using. You should get an SSL that comes with SHA-256 (also known as SHA-2) and steer clear of any SSL providers that still offer SSLs that use SHA-1. You can get more information on SHA-1 and SHA-256 in our article on how to upgrade an SSL from SHA-1 to SHA-256.
• Support for www/non-www. Some SSL issuers may be able to issue a certificate only for the “www” or “non-www” version of your domain name and not both. You can learn what the implications are of this partial support in our article on whether separate SSLs are needed for the “www” and “non-www” versions of your domain. The good news here is that even if your SSL supports only one version of your domain name, you can learn how to redirect all traffic to the SSL-enabled version.

Can I Use a “.well-known” Folder for Verification Purposes During the SSL Issuing Process?

When you apply for an SSL certificate, the issuer needs to carry out essential verification to prevent fraud. The most basic verification is proving that you are the owner of the domain name that you are requesting an SSL for.

Verifying that a person or a company owns a specific domain name is often conducted via ACME challenges. The most commonly used ACME challenge is referred to HTTP-01 and it involves uploading a special file into a folder titled .well-known on the server. Unfortunately, on our shared hosting platform, this folder is reserved and cannot be used for domain verification.

There are two possible solutions to this restriction. You can either upgrade to a Virtual Private Server package or you can use a different ACME challenge. We recommend using the DNS-01 challenge which instructs you to add a specially-crafted TXT record to your domain’s DNS. This can be achieved using the Domain Manager section of our Control Panel.

Can I Get an SSL Certificate for a Subdomain?

Yes! The process of securing subdomain names is identical to securing regular domain names. So once you learn how to get an SSL certificate for a domain name, you can use the same steps to protect your subdomains as well.

Can I Use a Single SSL Certificate With Multiple Hostnames?

There is a special kind of certificate called a wildcard SSL certificate that is able to secure all subdomain names out of a given domain name. Currently, we offer GeoTrust TrueBizID Wildcard which is a premium SSL certificate that can protect one domain name as well as all subdomains created out of that domain.

At this time there are no mainstream SSL certificates that can protect multiple domain names at the same time. As such, if you are looking to secure two or more separate domains, you should consider purchasing an SSL certificate for each.

Conclusion

Learning how to get an SSL certificate and using the SSL to secure your domain or subdomain are essential steps in running a successful website. The sheer number of benefits that an SSL can bring you makes it well worth the effort. In fact, we recommend that all website owners get an SSL certificate even if no sensitive information is stored or transmitted through the site.

The post How Can I Get an SSL Certificate? appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

One of the main ways website owners protect our data is by using SSL certificates. In this article, we will examine what exactly an SSL certificate is, what benefits it brings, and how to secure a website by installing an SSL certificate on it.

What Is an SSL Certificate?

The term SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer and it enables the HTTPS protocol. This is a security protocol that allows information to be sent securely over the web. Most web browsers confirm that a connection is secure by adding a padlock icon to the address bar.

SSL achieves this higher level of security by encrypting all data that is transmitted between the server and the visitor’s web browser. Once the data is encrypted, only the server itself and the visitor’s web browser can decipher it. If a third party, such as a hacker or an advertising company, gets a hold of the information, all they would see is gibberish that makes no sense to them.

What Are the Advantages of an SSL Certificate?

When you visit a website that employs an SSL certificate, you can rest assured that the information you supply will not be intercepted by a third party. As such, your data remains confidential and it cannot be altered by someone along its route.

If you own a website that collects sensitive information about your visitors, such as their passwords or bank details, you should definitely install an SSL certificate on your website. That said, it is highly advisable to have an SSL certificate even if you do not collect any personal information.

Offering a secure connection instills confidence in your site visitors and makes it more likely that they will return in the future. What is more, popular search engines like Google are likely to give you a boost in search ranking when they detect that you have installed an SSL certificate and are offering a secure connection to your visitors.

What Are the Parts of an SSL Certificate?

Each SSL certificate is comprised of three parts: the root certificate, the CA (intermediate) certificate, and the private key. All three parts are necessary to properly install the SSL certificate. Most SSL issuers allow you to download the SSL certificate data as a small .ZIP archive.

How Can I Obtain an SSL Certificate?

There are three main ways you can obtain an SSL certificate on our hosting platform:

• you can purchase an SSL certificate through the AwardSpace website.
• you can get a free SSL certificate provided by Let’s Encrypt.
• you can purchase your SSL certificate through a third-party SSL provider.

To learn more about the three ways of obtaining an SSL certificate for your website, you can read our dedicated article on how to get an SSL certificate.

Where Should I Install the SSL Certificate?

If you mostly work with your website through a content management system like WordPress, you may be tempted to think that you can install the SSL certificate directly through the CMS. That, however, is not the case.

SSL installation needs to be carried out in the SSL Manager section of our Hosting Control Panel if you are using one of our shared hosting packages. The shared hosting plans that include SSL functionality are our premium shared hosting and our Semi-Dedicated web servers. Due to its advanced nature, the ability to install an SSL certificate is not possible on our free website hosting.

The only notable difference is found with our Virtual Private Server packages. If you own a VPS, then you need to perform the SSL installation manually through the command line. Since all VPS instances are standalone servers, they do not have access to our Hosting Control Panel and the SSL Manager in particular.

How Do I Install an SSL Certificate?

Installing an SSL certificate on our shared hosting platform may sound like a daunting task, but it is actually quite simple thanks to our SSL Manager. Below, we will look at the three different ways you can install an SSL certificate on your domain.

Option 1: Purchase an SSL Certificate Through AwardSpace.

If you opt to purchase your SSL certificate through us, we will handle the entire installation process for you! To purchase your SSL certificate, follow the steps below:

1. Open the SSL Manager section of our Control Panel.
2. Click on the name of the domain that you wish to secure with SSL.
3. From the three tabs that pop up, open the Buy SSL Certificate tab.

4. In the Buy SSL Certificate tab you will be presented with a brief overview of the benefits you will gain when you install an SSL certificate. To proceed, click on the Get an SSL Certificate button.

5. You will be presented with the list of premium SSL certificates that we offer. Select your preferred one by placing a checkmark before its name. To learn more about the various SSL certificates that we offer, you can read our dedicated guide on getting an SSL certificate.
6. When you place the checkmark, an additional Hostname field will appear. In this field, you should enter the name of the domain or subdomain that the SSL will be issued for. In our example, we will be securing example-website.atwebpages.com, so we will enter simply example-website.atwebpages.com. Do not enter the http:// or https:// prefixes.
7. Place a checkmark before the I’ll use this SSL in my hosting account. option.

8. Scroll further down the page and you will arrive at the Private IP (SSL) section. A Private IP address is necessary for the proper installation of the SSL certificate, so place a checkmark before the IP for SSL option.
9. In the Hostname field you need to enter the name of the domain or subdomain that you are securing. You should enter the exact same domain/subdomain as you did three steps ago for the SSL certificate field itself.

10. Press the Continue button to proceed.
11. Finish the order process by selecting a payment method and entering your payment details.

Once the payment is made, simply allow a couple of hours for the Sales team to process your order, issue the SSL certificate, and then install it on your domain name on your behalf. If there are any issues with the SSL installation, the Sales team will contact you via email with more information.

Option 2: Get a Free SSL Certificate Provided by Let’s Encrypt.

Apart from our premium SSL certificates, we also provide a free SSL alternative, courtesy of Let’s Encrypt. As long as you are using a paid hosting plan, you will be able to take advantage of our free SSL option. To get your website secured with an SSL certificate for free, follow the steps below:

1. Open the SSL Manager section of our Control Panel.
2. Click on the name of the domain that you wish to install a free SSL certificate.
3. From the three tabs that appear, choose the Upload Your Certificate tab.

4. Scroll down to the bottom of the options list and you will find a button called Create Free Certificate. Click on it.

That’s it! At this point, you should see a confirmation message that your free SSL certificate was installed successfully. You can read our article on the differences between free and paid SSL certificates if you wish to learn more about how the SSL certificate provided by Let’s Encrypt differs from the premium options that we have available.

Option 3: Upload Your Own Certificate.

The last option that we have available when it comes to installing an SSL certificate is the ability for you to upload your own SSL certificate that is issued by a third party. To perform this task, follow the steps below:

1. Open the SSL Manager section of our Control Panel.
2. Click on the name of the domain where you wish to upload your own custom SSL certificate.
3. From the three tabs that appear, choose the Upload Your Certificate tab.

4. You will notice three text fields: Certificate, Private Key, and CA Certificate. You need to enter your certificate information into these fields. If you have trouble doing so, contact your SSL issuer or read our overview of the SSL Manager to get more information. Additional information on the CA Certificate can be found in our article on what is the purpose of the Intermediate Certificate Authority.

5. Once all fields have been filled, press the Upload SSL Certificate button.

Your SSL certificate is now installed on the server! But in order to activate it, you need to also purchase a Private IP address. Continue reading to learn how to do so.

How Can I Purchase a Private IP for My SSL Certificate?

If you opt to upload your own SSL certificate, you will still need a Private IP to activate it. To obtain a Private IP address, follow these steps:

1. Open the SSL Manager section of our Control Panel.
2. Click on the name of the domain where the Private IP address should be added.
3. From the three tabs that appear, choose the Buy IP for SSL tab.

4. You will be presented with a brief description of what a Private IP is. To get started with the purchase process, click on the Get an IP for SSL button.

5. You will be taken to our SSL/IP ordering page. Just scroll past our premium SSL offers until you reach the Private IPs (SSL) section.

6. Place a checkmark before the IP for SSL option.
7. In the Hostname field, you need to enter the name of the domain or subdomain that you will be securing. The value that you enter here must match exactly the hostname that the SSL is issued for.
8. Proceed by clicking on the Continue button.
9. Finish the order process by selecting a payment method and entering your payment details.

Keep in mind that your IP for SSL needs to be renewed every year. Otherwise, your website may stop functioning as expected. To learn more, read our article on what happens when a dedicated IP for SSL expires.

Why Is My Website Not Loading Securely Now That I Have SSL?

Even after you successfully install an SSL certificate on your domain name, you may still see a Not Secure warning when visiting your website in a browser. This could be due to three main reasons which we will outline below:

1. The most likely reason is that your website is not configured to force a secure connection. In other words, unless your site visitors explicitly type https:// before the start of your domain name, your website will not load securely. This is fixed by setting up the server or your CMS to automatically redirect all unsecured traffic to the secure versions of the requested URLs.
2. The second reason you could be experiencing security warnings is if some of your website elements like images or CSS files are loaded by a plain HTTP connection rather than HTTPS. As a rule of thumb, we recommend all connections, links, and resources on secure pages be loaded via HTTPS.
3. Lastly, the reason could be as simple as your browser keeping an outdated copy of your website in its cache for faster loading. Try clearing your browser cache as this can fix the issue.

If you need additional help getting your pages to load securely, you can read our in-depth guide on how to force a secure connection to a website.

Conclusion

Nowadays, having an SSL-enabled website is more important than ever. A website secured with an SSL Certificate will have increased user trust, enhanced security, and better search ranking. You can get all of those perks and more by purchasing a premium SSL certificate or even just using our free SSL option.

The post How Do I Install an SSL Certificate? appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

As such, if you own a website, even if it is a small one, you should consider securing it with SSL. In this article, we will show you how to do so by examining the various features that the SSL Manager section in the Hosting Control Panel has to offer.

You can read through the entire article to familiarize yourself with all functions of the SSL Manager, or you can jump to a specific topic that interests you:

• What Is an SSL Certificate and How Does It Work?
• Which Hosting Plans Support SSL Certificates?
• How Can I Tell Whether My Website Has an SSL Certificate Installed?
  • Why Is My Domain Listed Twice in the SSL Manager?
• How Can I Install an SSL Certificate?
  • How Can I Purchase and Install an SSL Certificate Through AwardSpace?
  • How Can I Install a Free SSL Certificate?
  • How Can I Install a Custom SSL Certificate?
• What Is a Private IP Address for SSL and How Does It Work?
• How Can I Purchase a Private IP for My SSL Certificate?
• What Would Happen If My SSL Certificate Expired?
• How Do I Renew My SSL Certificate?
  • How Do I Renew an SSL Certificate Purchased From AwardSpace?
  • How Do I Renew My Free SSL Certificate Provided by Let’s Encrypt?
  • How Do I Renew an SSL Certificate Purchased From a Third Party?
• How Can I Renew My Private IP for SSL?
• How Can I Uninstall an SSL Certificate?
• How Can I Replace an SSL Certificate?
• Where Can I View and Manage My Purchased SSL Certificates?
  • How Can I View Detailed Information About My SSL Certificate?
  • How Can I Export My SSL so That I Can Use It With a Different Hosting Provider?
  • How Can I Show My Visitors That My Site Is Using an SSL Certificate?
• How Do I Generate a CSR?
• Where Can I View My Existing CSRs?

What Is an SSL Certificate and How Does It Work?

Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, is a security protocol that facilitates the use of HTTPS on a website. HTTPS allows you to access the contents of a webpage safely and privately without any third parties monitoring your web traffic. Most modern web browsers indicate that a connection is secure by placing a padlock icon in the address bar.

This high level of protection and privacy is achieved by using data encryption. In fact, when you are browsing a website via a secure connection, only your web browser and the server can decode the data that is transmitted back and forth. Any other person who might intercept your Internet traffic will not be able to gain any information from the captured data.

Which Hosting Plans Support SSL Certificates?

The use of SSL encryption is considered an advanced web hosting feature. As such, it is available on our premium shared hosting plans as well as our Semi-Dedicated web servers. If you happen to be using our free website hosting plan, the SSL Manager will not be available to you and you should consider upgrading to one of our premier plans.

How Can I Tell Whether My Website Has an SSL Certificate Installed?

If you are using one of our paid shared hosting plans, you can head to the SSL Manager section of our Control Panel. There, you will see a list of all domain and subdomain names that are part of your hosting account.

You can check the Status column for information on whether a certificate is active for the hostname in question. If there is an active certificate, you can learn more about the type of SSL certificate that is used in the Certificate column.

Why Is My Domain Listed Twice in the SSL Manager?

If you own a domain name, you may have noticed that the SSL Manager lists your domain two times – once with the “www” prefix and once without the “www” prefix.

The SSL Manager is designed to list all domain and subdomain names that are hosted on your account. The “www” version of your domain name is technically a subdomain and as such, it is also included.

How Can I Install an SSL Certificate?

The SSL Manager supports three methods of SSL installation depending on the SSL that you wish to install. Currently, it is possible to:

• purchase a premium SSL certificate through the SSL Manager.
• get a free SSL certificate provided by Let’s Encrypt.
• upload a custom certificate that was issued by a third party.

You can learn more about the differences between the three types of SSL certificates that you can install on our platform in our dedicated guide on getting an SSL certificate.

How Can I Purchase and Install an SSL Certificate Through AwardSpace?

To purchase an SSL certificate through AwardSpace, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the domain name that you wish to secure.
3. Open the Buy SSL Certificate tab that appears.
4. Click on the Get an SSL Certificate button.

5. You will be taken to a page where you need to pick your preferred SSL certificate. Place a checkmark before the type of SSL certificate that you wish to purchase. You can read our dedicated guide on buying an SSL certificate to learn what the differences are between the various certificates that we offer.
6. Enter your domain name in the field that appears.

7. Scroll down the page and place a checkmark before the IP for SSL option.
8. Enter the exact same domain name in the field next to the IP for SSL option.
9. Proceed by clicking on the Continue button.
10. Choose a payment method and fill in your payment details in order to complete the purchase.
11. Once the payment is made successfully, allow a few hours for the Sales team to process your order and install your SSL certificate.

You can learn even more about the SSL purchasing process by reading our step-by-step tutorial on how to buy an SSL certificate from AwardSpace.

How Can I Install a Free SSL Certificate?

There are only two requirements that you need to meet in order to install a free SSL certificate on your domain name:

• you must be using one of our paid hosting plans.
• your domain needs to be hosted with us and must be using our nameservers.

If you meet both of the criteria above, follow these steps to set up a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate on your domain name:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the domain name that you wish to secure.
3. Open the Upload Your Certificate tab.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Create Free Certificate button.

At this point, you should see a notification message informing you that your free SSL certificate was successfully installed on your domain name. If you are curious about how a free SSL differs from its paid counterparts, you can view our comparison between free and paid SSL certificates.

How Can I Install a Custom SSL Certificate?

The great thing about our SSL Manager is that it is fully compatible with certificates issued by third parties. To manually upload your custom SSL certificate, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the domain name that you wish to secure.
3. Open the Upload Your Certificate tab.
4. You will notice three large text fields – Certificate, Private Key, and CA Certificate. Fill in those fields using the information provided to you by your SSL issuer. You may optionally learn more about the CA Certificate by reading our article on what is the purpose of the Intermediate Certificate Authority.
5. Press the Upload SSL Certificate button to complete the installation process.

At this point, your custom SSL certificate should be successfully uploaded to the server. But you may notice that it is not active. To activate your SSL certificate, you also need to purchase a private IP address.

What Is a Private IP Address for SSL and How Does It Work?

The core premise behind shared hosting is to have one server powering the websites of multiple clients. This is great when it comes to cost savings, but it also presents a few problems when trying to secure a website with SSL.

To work around these technical issues, we allow the purchase of Private IP addresses. These IP addresses are made available exclusively to clients who wish to protect their websites with SSL. Once a Private IP for SSL is purchased, your website will start using this new IP address in place of the old one that is shared among multiple clients.

How Can I Purchase a Private IP for My SSL Certificate?

You can buy an IP for SSL at any time through the SSL Manager. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the domain name where you wish to set up the IP for SSL.
3. A row of tabs will appear. Open the Buy IP for SSL tab to proceed.
4. To start the order process, click on the Get an IP for SSL button.

5. Scroll past the premium SSL certificates that we offer for sale until you reach the Private IPs (SSL) section. Place a checkmark before the IP for SSL option.
6. In the hostname field, enter the name of the domain where you wish to add an IP for SSL. Do not include the http:// or https:// prefixes.
7. Press the Continue button to proceed.
8. Choose a payment method and fill in your payment details in order to complete the purchase.
9. After the payment is made, please allow a few minutes for the Sales team to process your order.

One thing to keep in mind is that all of our IPs for SSL are products that need to be renewed annually. If you forget to renew your IP for SSL, your website will start showing a security error. As such, it is important to renew your IP for SSL on time. If you ever find yourself with an expired IP for SSL, you can read our article on what to do when an IP for SSL expires where you will learn how to rectify this problem.

What Would Happen If My SSL Certificate Expired?

Similar to an expired IP for SSL, once the validity of an SSL certificate ends, your website will display a warning message. In most modern web browsers this warning will be shown before any of your site content loads and people will be encouraged not to visit your website.

An expired SSL certificate can seriously undermine user trust and such issues should be resolved as quickly as possible. The best way to fix a problem like this is to consider renewing your SSL certificate.

How Do I Renew My SSL Certificate?

SSL renewal is carried out differently depending on the type of SSL that is in use. Below, we will examine how to renew a premium SSL certificate that you have purchased through AwardSpace, how to renew a free Let’s Encrypt certificate, and how to renew a certificate from a third-party SSL vendor.

How Do I Renew an SSL Certificate Purchased From AwardSpace?

To renew an SSL certificate that you have purchased from us, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the domain name where the SSL that is due for renewal is located.

3. A couple of tabs will appear. Open the Renew Certificate tab.

4. You will be presented with a single option prompting you to renew your SSL certificate. To proceed, click on the Renew SSL Certificate button.

5. You will be taken to our services renewal page. Place checkmarks before the SSL certificate that you wish to renew as well as the Private IP for SSL that is assigned to your domain name.

6. Proceed by clicking on the Continue button.
7. Choose a payment method and perform the payment.
8. Once the payment has been processed, please allow a few hours for the Sales team to issue a new SSL certificate for you and to install it on your domain name.

To help you avoid any accidental SSL renewals, we allow you to renew your SSL certificate only if it has already expired or is about to expire. More specifically, the SSL’s expiration date should be less than three months away for you to renew it.

How Do I Renew My Free SSL Certificate Provided by Let’s Encrypt?

Our system is designed to automatically renew the free Let’s Encrypt certificates that we offer. As such, if you have opted to install a free SSL certificate on your domain name, you should never have to manually renew it. If for some reason your free SSL fails to work properly, you can contact our 24/7 Technical Support Team and they will assist you with this issue.

How Do I Renew an SSL Certificate Purchased From a Third Party?

If you have purchased your SSL certificate from a vendor other than AwardSpace, you would need to follow these steps to properly renew your SSL certificate:

1. You should contact the SSL issuer and ask them to renew your SSL certificate. For best results, generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) and present it to the SSL issuer. Also, specify that the SSL should be issued for a server running Apache + MOD SSL.
2. Once the new SSL has been created, request your Certificate and CA Certificate from the SSL issuer.
3. Next, you need to uninstall the SSL certificate that has expired or is about to expire.
4. And finally, you need to install the new SSL certificate that was provided to you. For the installation, you need to use the Certificate and CA Certificate from the SSL issuer as well as the Private Key from the CSR.

How Can I Renew My Private IP for SSL?

It is important to note that all of our IP for SSL purchases are valid for one year. As such, you need to make sure that your IP for SSL is renewed every year in order to keep your SSL certificate active at all times. You can read our article on what happens when a Private IP for SSL expires for further details.

To renew your Private IP for SSL, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the domain name where you wish to renew your Private IP for SSL.
3. A row of tabs will appear. Click on Renew IP for SSL to proceed.

4. To start the renewal process, click on the Renew IP for SSL button.

5. Scroll past the premium SSL certificates that we offer for sale until you reach the Private IPs (SSL) section. Place a checkmark before the IP for SSL option.
6. In the hostname field, specify which domain should have its IP for SSL renewed by entering the name of the domain. Do not include the http:// or https:// prefixes.

7. Press the Continue button to proceed.
8. Choose a payment method and fill in your payment details in order to complete the purchase.
9. After the payment is made, please allow a few minutes for the Sales team to process your order.

How Can I Uninstall an SSL Certificate?

From time to time, it may be necessary to remove an SSL certificate from your domain. The most common reason for uninstalling an SSL certificate is the expiry of the currently installed certificate, but you will also need to uninstall the current certificate if you wish to start using a different one. To remove an SSL from your domain name, follow these steps:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the domain name that holds the SSL that is to be uninstalled.
3. Choose the Uninstall Certificate tab.

4. Confirm that you wish to uninstall your SSL certificate by clicking on the Uninstall Certificate button. Make sure that you are removing the correct SSL certificate, as this action cannot be undone!

How Can I Replace an SSL Certificate?

The SSL Manager offers a handy feature that allows you to replace the current SSL certificate for a domain name with a new one. The ability to replace an SSL certificate is a one-click solution to the process of uninstalling one certificate and then installing a different one in its place. The only caveat is that the new certificate needs to be purchased through AwardSpace.

To take advantage of this certificate replacement feature, follow the steps below:

1. Purchase an SSL certificate through AwardSpace.
2. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
3. Click on the domain name that holds the SSL which you wish to replace.
4. From the list of tabs that appear, choose the Replace Certificate tab.

5. Use the Choose an SSL Certificate dropdown menu to select your new SSL certificate. This dropdown will only list premium SSL certificates that have been purchased from AwardSpace for this particular domain name. All listed certificates will be active as the expired ones are omitted automatically.
6. Once you have chosen the new certificate for the domain name, click on the Replace Certificate button.

Where Can I View and Manage My Purchased SSL Certificates?

The SSL Manager comes with a dedicated section where you can view and manage all of the SSL certificates that you have purchased through AwardSpace. To access this dedicated section, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the My Certificates tab at the top.

You will be presented with a list of all purchased SSL certificates. The list will include the SSL certificates for all domain names and it will also include any expired SSL certificates that are still associated with your hosting account. If you wish to have the expired SSL certificates removed from your hosting account, you can contact our 24/7 Technical Support Team.

In this section of the SSL Manager, you can perform basic SSL management operations. These include:

• the ability to get more information about a specific SSL certificate.
• the option to export the SSL certificate for use on a different platform.
• the ability to renew your SSL certificate.
• if supported by the SSL, the option to integrate an SSL seal into your website.

We will look at those options in greater detail below.

How Can I View Detailed Information About My SSL Certificate?

If you have purchased your SSL certificate through AwardSpace, you can get in-depth information on the certificate through the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel. To view the available information for your SSL, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the My Certificates tab at the top.
3. Click on the SSL certificate that you wish to learn more about.
4. From the list of tabs that appear, choose the Information tab.

In the Information tab, you will find your SSL certificate’s details. We will list the data that you will find in the next few screenshots below:

• Certificate Type is the type of SSL certificate that you have purchased.
• Hostname is the domain or subdomain that the SSL is issued for.
• Status represents the SSL’s current status.
• Approver Email is the email address that is used to manage and initially approve the SSL certificate.
• Validity Period is the duration of the SSL certificate.
• Expiration Date lists the day on which the SSL will expire.
• Encryption is the level of protection that the SSL certificate affords. Currently, 256 bit is the industry standard.
• Wildcard denotes whether the SSL can be used on multiple hostnames. Normally, only the most premier certificates come with wildcard functionality.

• Site seal is a special image that can be embedded on your website. This seal aims to emphasize the fact that you are using an SSL certificate and that all sensitive information that your visitors enter will be protected.
• SSL Certificate is your actual SSL certificate in text form.
• CSR is the Certificate Signing Request that was initially used to issue your SSL certificate.
• Private Key is the private key that is assigned to your SSL certificate.

• CA Certificate is the intermediary certificate that increases your SSL’s compatibility with different web browsers.
• X.509 Details are the details contained within your certificate’s public key. This is the information your site visitors will be able to view through their web browsers if they choose to do so.

How Can I Export My SSL so That I Can Use It With a Different Hosting Provider?

The great thing about buying an SSL certificate from AwardSpace is that you are free to use this certificate on any third-party hosting platform and even in other environments. There are two major ways you can export your SSL certificate – either as raw text or as files.

If you are interested in obtaining a textual representation of your SSL certificates, head to the Information tab and copy the contents of the SSL Certificate, Private Key, and CA Certificate fields. You may optionally also copy the contents of your CSR.

Apart from a raw text backup, you can also export your SSL certificate. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the My Certificates tab at the top.
3. Click on the SSL certificate that you wish to export.
4. From the list of tabs that appear, choose the Export tab.

5. Choose your preferred Export Format. If you are not sure which format is most appropriate for your needs, it is best to contact the company where you will be uploading your SSL certificate for further details.
6. Choose your preferred File Extension. Like with the Export Format option, you can consult with the company where you will be uploading your SSL certificate to learn which is their preferred file extension.
7. To begin the exporting process, click on the Export Certificate button.

At this stage, your web browser should prompt you to download your SSL certificate in the format you have just specified.

How Can I Show My Visitors That My Site Is Using an SSL Certificate?

An important part of having an SSL certificate is making sure that your visitors know that their connection is secure. One way to communicate this to your visitors is by using a site seal. A site seal is a special image that lets people know that your website is using encryption and that any sensitive data that is entered will remain private. Site seals are most useful on order checkout and user login pages.

Depending on the SSL certificate that you have ordered, you may be eligible to use a site seal. Follow the steps below to download your site seal, if you have one:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the My Certificates tab at the top.
3. Click on the SSL certificate whose site seal you wish to view.
4. From the list of tabs that appear, choose the Site Seal tab. If you do not see this tab, then your SSL certificate does not come with a site seal.

5. On the Site Seal tab, you will notice your site seal, as is shown in the screenshot below:

You can implement this site seal into your website by first downloading it. Just right-click on the site seal image and save it to your computer. Then, incorporate this image into your website’s design, placing it in a prominent position, so your visitors know that their data is protected.

How Do I Generate a CSR?

A CSR, or a Certificate Signing Request, is a special string of text that is used when generating an SSL certificate. The CSR holds the SSL owner information as well as the name of the domain or subdomain that the SSL is issued for.

CSR generation is only necessary when you decide to purchase an SSL certificate through a third party. If you opt to get an SSL certificate through AwardSpace, then we will handle the CSR generation and we will even install your SSL certificate for you.

To generate a new CSR through our SSL Manager, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the Generate CSR tab at the top.

The first thing that you will note is the CSR generation form:

To create your CSR, make sure that all fields are filled in:

• Common Name is the name of your domain. You must ensure that you own a fully-qualified domain name if you wish to generate a CSR for it. An example of a fully-qualified domain name is www.example-domain.com.
• Organization is the name of your company. The listed organization must also be the legal registrant of the domain name in the certificate request. If you are enrolling as a small business or a sole proprietor, please enter the certificate requester’s name.
• Department can be used to differentiate between the different divisions in the organization. For example, you can enter Engineering or Human Resources. If you are enrolling as a small business or a sole proprietor, please enter your DBA (doing business as) name here.
• City should list your city. Do not use abbreviations or shorthands.
• State/Province should list your state or province. Do not use abbreviations or shorthands.
• Country should list your country. Use the dropdown list to make your selection.
• RSA Key (bit length) is the level of security your SSL certificate will provide. The higher the value, the better.

When you have filled all of the fields above, press the Submit Request button. Doing so will generate your CSR. To view your newly created CSR, move on to the next section.

Where Can I View My Existing CSRs?

You can view your existing Certificate Signing Requests right below the CSR generation form in our SSL Manager. To access your existing CSRs, do the following:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of the Control Panel.
2. Click on the Generate CSR tab at the top.
3. Scroll past the CSR creation form until you reach the list of your existing CSRs. Click on the Common Name for the CSR that you wish to view in greater detail.

You will be presented with three tabs: Private Key, CSR, and Delete Request.

Clicking on the Private Key tab allows you to view the Private Key for your future SSL certificate. This key will be necessary when installing your SSL certificate.

The second option called CSR actually contains your CSR. You need to present the CSR to the SSL issuer so they can generate the SSL for you. The great thing is that you can reuse your CSR when it comes time to renew your SSL certificate, providing all of the details you initially entered when creating the CSR are still valid.

The last option you have available is Delete Request. Use this option whenever a CSR is no longer necessary and you wish to remove it.

Conclusion

The SSL Manager is a paid feature that offers robust tools for working with your SSL certificates. As long as you are using a premium shared hosting plan, you will be able to take full advantage of our SSL Manager. Through it, you can purchase an SSL certificate for your website, upload your own SSL certificate, and even get a free SSL provided by Let’s Encrypt.

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