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.
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AutoRenew for SSL Certificates
Read more: AutoRenew for SSL CertificatesMaintaining website security includes renewing SSL certificates regularly to encrypt server-customer communications. Liquid Web streamlines this process with AutoRenew for SSL certificates, ensuring timely updates.
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Forcing SSL Connections Using .htaccess
Read more: Forcing SSL Connections Using .htaccessFor a secure connection, use .htaccess rules to redirect insecure traffic from https://mysite.com to https://mysite.com, assuming you have an SSL installed. Familiarity with .htaccess files and file management is assumed.
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Generating an SSL Certificate Signing Request (CSR)
Read more: Generating an SSL Certificate Signing Request (CSR)Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) for your SSL. Find step-by-step guides for cPanel, Plesk, InterWorx, Cloud Sites, and command line.
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Generating an SSL Certificate Signing Request (CSR) from Command Line
Read more: Generating an SSL Certificate Signing Request (CSR) from Command LineGenerating a CSR for your SSL order in cPanel is straightforward. For Core-Managed or Self-Managed servers, we provide Command Line instructions.
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How to renew an SSL certificate (a paid SSL cert)
Read more: How to renew an SSL certificate (a paid SSL cert)Metaphorically, SSL certificates are like the bodyguards of your website. In this guide, we’ll show you how to renew an SSL certificate, no matter what kind of hosting you have.
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Install an SSL Certificate
Read more: Install an SSL CertificateLearn how to install your SSL certificate. This guide covers the final step of securing your site after you have generated a CSR and ordered your SSL.
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Installing an SSL Certificate in Linux Command Line
Read more: Installing an SSL Certificate in Linux Command LineSecure your site with an SSL certificate. Follow our step-by-step guide to obtain and install a Liquid Web SSL on a core or self-managed Linux server.
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Nexcess SSL Certificates
Read more: Nexcess SSL CertificatesSecure your site with free, automated SSL certificates on the Nexcess platform. Learn how to enable HTTPS for your domain directly from your portal.