How to apply for an SSL encryption certificate? Super detailed operation step guide

when HTTPS has become the standard of website security, SSL encryption certificate has become one of the core elements of building a secure website. It can not only encrypt the data transmission between users and servers, but also improve the trust and ranking of websites in search engines. However, many novice webmasters or enterprise managers are not familiar with the application process of SSL encryption certificates, and often encounter obstacles in the selection of types, submission materials, deployment verification and other links. This article will sort out a complete set of SSL encryption certificate application operation guidelines for you from pre-preparation to post-maintenance, and help you complete the application and configuration of certificates efficiently.

What should I do before applying for an SSL encryption certificate?

before formally applying for an SSL encryption certificate, adequate preparation can greatly improve the application efficiency and avoid process delays caused by incomplete materials or information errors.

1 Confirm the ownership of the website domain name

SSL encryption certificate is bound to the website domain name, you must ensure that you have full control of the domain name before applying, and can prove ownership through domain name resolution, email verification, etc. If it is a corporate domain name, you need to prepare relevant information when registering the domain name to avoid problems in the verification process.

2, organize the application required qualification materials

different types of SSL encryption certificates have different qualification requirements, DV certificates only need to verify the ownership of the domain name, EV and OV certificates need to prepare the main qualification materials such as business licenses and organization code certificates, and some platforms also require power of attorney.

3, clear server operation authority

SSL need to be deployed to the server after the encryption certificate application is completed, so make sure you have the administrative rights of the server, you can modify the server configuration file or install the certificate through the host control panel to avoid the normal deployment after the certificate application is successful.

How to choose the right SSL encryption certificate type?

SSL encryption certificate is not a uniform type, different certificates have differences in verification level, applicable scenarios, security strength, and choosing the type that suits your needs is the key first step in the application.

1, DV type SSL encryption certificate

DV SSL encryption certificate is the lowest level of verification, only need to verify the ownership of the domain name, the application process is simple, the review speed is fast, usually within 10 minutes to complete the issuance. This kind of certificate is suitable for personal blogs, small information websites, can meet the basic data encryption needs, but can not show the main information of the enterprise.

2, OV type SSL encryption certificate

OV SSL encryption certificate needs to verify the ownership of the domain name and the qualification of the enterprise subject at the same time, the audit cycle is generally 1-3 working days, the certificate will display the enterprise name in the browser address bar, which can enhance the user's trust in the website, suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

3, EV type SSL encryption certificate

EV SSL encryption certificate is the highest level of verification, the audit process is strict, the need for a comprehensive background investigation of the enterprise subject, the audit cycle of about 3-7 working days. After the certificate takes effect, the browser address bar will display the green enterprise name and lock logo, the security level is extremely high, suitable for financial, government and other strict security requirements of the website.

3. Mainstream platform SSL encryption certificate application operation process?

there are many platforms that provide SSL encryption certificate services on the market, taking Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud and other mainstream cloud platforms as examples, the application process is roughly the same, the following are the standardized operation steps.

1, select the certificate type and submit the order

log in to the SSL certificate management console of the cloud platform, select the corresponding SSL encryption certificate type according to the website needs, fill in the domain name information, contact email and other basic information and submit the order, some free SSL encryption certificates can be directly received, and paid certificates need to complete the payment process.

2, complete the domain name and subject verification

submit the order, the platform will initiate a verification request according to the certificate type. DV certificates are usually verified by adding DNS resolution records or sending verification emails to the domain administrator mailbox. OV and EV certificates need to upload enterprise qualification materials and wait for the platform to manually review. After the review, you can enter the certificate issuance process.

3, download and save the certificate file

verification is passed, the platform will automatically issue SSL encryption certificate, the user can download the compressed package containing the certificate file and the private key file in the console, and save it properly after downloading to avoid the leakage of the private key file, otherwise it will lead to the failure of the SSL encryption certificate and affect the security of the website.

4, SSL encryption certificate deployment and verification need to pay attention to what?

successfully apply for an SSL encryption certificate, the certificate needs to be deployed to the website server and verified to truly play its encryption role.

1 Deploy certificates based on server type

the deployment methods of different servers are slightly different, the Apache server needs to place the SSL encrypted certificate file in the specified directory, modify the htpd.conf configuration file to open the HTTPS service; the Nginx server needs to configure the certificate path and port 443 in nginx.conf; the cloud virtual host user can directly upload the certificate through the host control panel to complete the deployment, the operation is relatively simple.

2, Complete HTTPS access verification

After the deployment is completed, enter the HTTPS address of the website in the browser. If the address bar shows a lock logo and you can see the relevant information of the SSL encryption certificate after clicking, it means that the deployment is successful. At the same time, it is necessary to check whether all links in the website are converted from HTTP to HTTPS to avoid mixed content warnings and affect the user experience.

To sum up, the application of SSL encryption certificate is a complete process from preparation to deployment. In the early stage, we must prepare the domain name and qualification, select the appropriate SSL encryption certificate type according to the needs of the website, and then complete the application and verification through the mainstream platform. Finally, do a good job of certificate deployment and follow-up maintenance. As long as you follow this process, whether it is a novice webmaster or an enterprise manager, you can successfully complete the application of SSL encryption certificate and build a reliable security barrier for the website.