How to Get Free SSL (Secure Sockets Layers) for Your Website
If you have a website, it’s important to secure it with SSL (Secure Sockets Layers). Without SSL, you don’t know if any personal information or payment details are being intercepted, and you don’t want that to happen! Thankfully, getting free SSL certificates is relatively simple. This article will help you obtain an SSL certificate for your website without breaking the bank on the price of an official one.
Get a Free Certificate
In order to secure your website and obtain a free SSL certificate, you’ll need to begin by purchasing domain name. From there, you can either purchase an existing certificate through a provider like Namecheap or use Let’s Encrypt (which offers free wildcard certificates), if it is compatible with your web host. Both of these options are easy to do, so choose whichever option works best for you.
Use Cloud Flare
Cloud Flare is a free service that provides you with SSL. It’s as simple as changing your DNS settings and logging into their dashboard once every three months. They also provide some additional speed and security features, but if you’re trying to keep it totally free, just register your domain at GoDaddy, Namecheap or any other registrar and change your DNS settings via Cloud Flare’s one-click installation tool. You can get HTTPS up in about 15 minutes.
Visit your hosting provider's website.
The number one way to get free SSL is to just go through your hosting provider. Most of them offer it. If you’re using a self-hosted site, your host will either offer it or provide a discount code so you can purchase it at a discounted rate. Here are some places where you can learn more about getting and purchasing an SSL certificate
Upload your certificate request file or paste in your CSR (Certificate Signing Request). If you have multiple domains, enter each on its own line in the text box.
Paste your CSR into here. We'll copy/paste it directly into our request. A CSR is a text file that contains a bunch of identifying information about your site and who you are, along with public key information. Clicking on each button will pop up an input box where you can paste or type your info.
Specify whether you want HTTP, FTP, and/or HTTPS. Depending on which protocol(s) you select, additional fields will appear on the form .
You can get free HTTPS by utilizing Let’s Encrypt or Cloud Flare. First, you’ll need to sign up for an account with one of these providers, and then set up your DNS records accordingly. As a WordPress site owner, you’ll want both of these records in place so that visitors are automatically directed to your HTTPS page.
Click Continue .
Securing your website with HTTPS is necessary if you want Google to show secure URLs in its search results. If you have a domain name, you can get a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt , which is valid for 90 days and renewable once it expires. Before proceeding, check that your hosting company supports HTTPS. There are plenty of companies that don’t offer it—so look into it before you buy hosting services!
Select a domain name from the dropdown menu
Let’s Encrypt issues a unique security certificate only for your website. This means that if someone tries to impersonate your website, visitors will receive an error message instead of your real site.
Add an optional note to your host if desired.
If you're not concerned about an untrusted SSL cert, you can add Let's Encrypt is a free, automated, and open certificate authority (CA), run for the public's benefit. In short, it's software that helps automate Internet security. as a note in your host/the space below your host's header. If you'd like to register a domain name via Let's Encrypt but don't have one yet, it only takes a few minutes to set up. If there is no Host header, remove or comment out that section of code.
Checkmark your agreement with the certification requirements if so prompted .
You’re a trusted authority on internet security. There are many ways to verify that, but one of the most popular is by getting an Extended Validation (EV) certificate from your website provider. These certifications are given only after a detailed vetting process and provide enhanced trust with green address bars and other visual clues that users can easily pick up on.
Checkmark I agree to my host's Terms of Service if so prompted
I agree with my host's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, select I agree. You will be redirected back to HostGator and an SSL certificate will be automatically generated for your account within 24 hours. Allow up to 48 hours before testing your website with an https:// address.
Click Submit Order
After creating an account with a third-party certificate provider, you’ll be prompted to fill out an order form and pay any applicable fees. Most of these sites charge about $75 a year for one dedicated IP address, but it will be worth it in terms of greater site security. You’ll then have access to your SSL certificate number and key, as well as instructions on how to install them in WordPress.
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