Let’s Encrypt is a free, trusted certificate authority which provides SSL/TLS certificates for website encryption. Implementing an SSL certificate surely establishes a secure connection between your website and visitors’ browsers, protecting data transmission and enhancing user trust. This guide significantly outlines the steps involved in installing a Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate on your website using cPanel.
Steps to Install Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificate
1. Navigate to cPanel’s login page and enter your cPanel username and password.
2. After that within the cPanel interface, search for the “Security” section. This is displayed prominently on the homepage or categorized under a broader section.
3. Click on the option labeled “Let’s Encrypt SSL” or a similar icon/menu item within the “Security” section. This will display functionalities for managing Let’s Encrypt certificates for your domains.
4. Look for a button or option labeled “Issue” or “Issue a new certificate.” This will indeed initiate the process of obtaining a Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate for your website.
5. A list of your domain names associated with the cPanel account might be displayed. Choose the domain name for which you wish to install the Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate.
6. Let’s Encrypt offers different validation methods to verify your ownership of the domain. The default option (typically "http-01") is often the most convenient, as it involves placing verification files on your web server.
7. Alternatively, you might have options for DNS validation, which requires modifying DNS records at your domain registrar.
8. Depending on your cPanel configuration, you might have additional options such as including wildcard certificates (covering subdomains) or adding cPanel subdomain certificates.
9. Consult BigCloudy’s documentation or support team for guidance if needed.
10. Once you’ve selected the domain name, validation method, and any additional options, click the button labeled “Issue” (or similar action) to initiate the Let’s Encrypt certificate issuance process.
Installation and Verification
cPanel will typically handle the certificate issuance process automatically. Once complete, you might need to perform additional steps depending on your specific cPanel configuration:
- Installing the Certificate
Some cPanel interfaces might require manual installation of the issued certificate. If necessary, follow the on-screen prompts or consult your web hosting provider’s documentation for specific instructions.
- Verification
You can verify that the SSL certificate is installed correctly by visiting your website with the "https://" prefix. Verification of a secure connection is provided by most browsers through a padlock symbol located in the address bar.
In other words, you have successfully installed a Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate on your website using cPanel. This indeed enhances the security of your website and fosters trust with your visitors.
