SPONSORED The best hosting optionReview
SSL

How to Obtain and Install an SSL Certificate for a Subdomain

By
2 Mins read
32
0
Share

In the digital landscape, securing user data is essential, and SSL certificates play a vital role in this effort. But what if you need an SSL certificate specifically for a subdomain? This guide will walk you through the process of obtaining and installing an SSL certificate for a subdomain, ensuring optimal SSL security for your website’s ecosystem.

Why Do You Need an SSL Certificate for a Subdomain?

An SSL certificate secures the communication between a user’s browser and the server, protecting data from interception. For websites with multiple subdomains, such as blog.yourwebsite.com or shop.yourwebsite.com, it’s crucial to ensure that each subdomain is secure. While some certificates cover multiple subdomains, certain configurations or security policies may require individual SSL certificates for each subdomain.

Types of SSL Certificates for Subdomains

When it comes to SSL certificates for subdomains, you have a few options:

  1. Wildcard SSL Certificate: This type of SSL is ideal if you need to secure all first-level subdomains under a main domain. For instance, *.yourwebsite.com covers shop.yourwebsite.com, blog.yourwebsite.com, etc.
  2. Single-Domain SSL Certificate: If you only need to secure one specific subdomain, a single-domain SSL certificate may be more cost-effective.
  3. Multi-Domain SSL Certificate (SAN SSL): This certificate type allows you to secure multiple domains and subdomains within one SSL.

Choosing the right SSL certificate depends on your site’s structure, security needs, and budget.

Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining and Installing an SSL Certificate for a Subdomain

Step 1: Choose a Certificate Authority (CA)

To begin, select a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) such as Let’s Encrypt, DigiCert, or GlobalSign. Many providers offer SSLs for various needs, including SSL security for subdomains.

Step 2: Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request)

A CSR is a block of encoded text containing details about your domain and organization. Here’s how to generate it:

  1. On your server, open your command line interface.
  2. Use the OpenSSL command:
    csharp
    openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout yoursubdomain.key -out yoursubdomain.csr
  3. Enter the relevant details, including the subdomain you wish to secure.

Step 3: Submit the CSR to Your CA

Once you have the CSR, submit it to your Certificate Authority. The CA will verify your identity before issuing the SSL certificate.

Step 4: Download the SSL Certificate

After approval, the CA will provide you with your SSL certificate files. Typically, these include the certificate file (.crt), intermediate certificate, and root certificate.

Step 5: Install the SSL Certificate on Your Server

Installation steps vary depending on your server type:

  • For Apache:
    1. Open your Apache configuration file.
    2. Locate the virtual host for your subdomain.
    3. Add the following lines:
      vbnet
      SSLEngine on
      SSLCertificateFile /path/to/yoursubdomain.crt
      SSLCertificateKeyFile /path/to/yoursubdomain.key
      SSLCertificateChainFile /path/to/intermediate.crt
    4. Save and restart Apache.
  • For Nginx:
    1. Open the Nginx configuration file.
    2. Add the following lines:
      vbnet
      server {
      listen 443 ssl;
      server_name yoursubdomain.yourwebsite.com;      ssl_certificate /path/to/yoursubdomain.crt;
      ssl_certificate_key /path/to/yoursubdomain.key;
      ssl_trusted_certificate /path/to/intermediate.crt;}

    3. Save and restart Nginx.

Step 6: Test Your SSL Installation

To ensure your SSL certificate is installed correctly, use an SSL checker tool like Qualys SSL Labs. These tools test your SSL security and provide a report on any issues.

Maintaining SSL Security for Subdomains

Once installed, regularly check your SSL certificate‘s expiry date and renew it as necessary. If you use Let’s Encrypt, consider automating renewals to ensure your SSL security remains intact.

Securing subdomains with SSL certificates is essential for a safe and trustworthy website experience. By following these steps, you’ll establish solid SSL security across your site, giving users confidence in the privacy of their data.

32
0
Share