How to Get SSL Certificates for Sub-Domains?
In today’s digital age, website security is important and necessary. Many website owners focus on securing the main domains while often overlooking the security of their sub-domains, forgetting that sub-domains play a crucial role in website management and user experience. Many times, such negligence opens doors to potential cyber threats.
However, it raises a critical question: How do you protect sub-domain? Thankfully, the solution lies in Wildcard SSL certificates. It will seamlessly safeguard your main domain and sub-domains in a few clicks.
While most website owners are familiar with SSL certificates, regarding sub-domains, they navigate a dark maze of options and technical jargon. This guide aims to demystify the process, offering a straightforward guide regarding safeguarding SSL Certificates for Sub-domains.
Understanding Subdomains and SSL Certificates
Sub-domains and SSL certificates are crucial components of website security and its management. Meanwhile, subdomains serve as distinct branches under the main domain’s umbrella, offering a way to effectively segment and organize the website’s content.
SSL Certificates stand as the guardians of data transmission. It encrypts the data exchange between a user’s browser and the web server. SSL certificates ensure that any information shared remains confidential and secure from potential cyber threats.
How Subdomain’s Structure Works: Anatomy of Sub-domains
While delving into the structure of subdomains, we find that each subdomain operates under the main domain, serving as a separate entity designed for specific purposes. For example, blog.example.com might host your site’s blog, while store.example.com would host the e-commerce section.
When we consider the structure of a domain, with Top Level Domains (TLD) like .com or .org at the top and Second Level Domains (SLD), which are directly below the TLDs and signify the main domain (example in example.com), we find a hierarchy of importance and organization. Sub-domains further extend this structure, allowing specific areas within your site to be designated for different purposes.
Remember, the roles of top-level domains (TLDs) and second-level domains (SLDs) are more than just a technical deep dive — they’re critical aspects of enhancing website security and user experience. This knowledge directly impacts how SSL certificates are applied, ensuring each part of your website is protected.
The Essential Role of SSL Certificates for Subdomain Security
Securing subdomains with SSL certificates is necessary in today’s digital landscape. For instance, by implementing a Wildcard SSL certificate, a website owner secures sub-domains under a single Second-Level Domain (SLD) umbrella. This way, website owners simplify website security, protect sensitive data across all sub-domains, and foster a trustworthy navigation environment for users. Other benefits of SSL certificates will be like this:
Data Encryption
Data encryption is the prime function of SSL certificates that secures the data exchange between a user’s browser and a web server. Encryption makes it exceedingly difficult for unauthorized parties to intercept or decipher confidential data like username, address, and credit card details.
Authentication
SSL certificates also verify the authenticity of a website, ensuring that users interact with the legitimate site they intend to. Such authentication infuses trust among users by confirming the website’s identity.
Credibility
A visible indicator, such as HTTPS in the browser’s address bar, signals that a website is secured with SSL. This symbol of security increases users’ trust and establishes website credibility.
SEO Benefits
A HTTPS secured website gets recognized as safe by search engines like Google increasing their website ranking. A better google ranking results in better visibility and hence more traffic, which is the dream of every digital marketer!
Understanding the relevance of SSL certificates for subdomains is necessary for a safer internet experience and having a trustworthy, and SEO-friendly website.
Securing Domain and Subdomain with a Single SSL Certificate
You can use a separate SSL certificate to secure each subdomain. However, this approach is not at all cost-effective. If you have a large and complex website with multiple subdomains, it would be advisable to choose cost-effective and easy-to-integrate options. Wildcard SSL and Multi-domain SSL certificates are two such certificates that simplify website management and ensure consistent encryption and authentication processes across all your web properties. Let’s understand them better:
Wildcard SSL Certificate — Wildcard SSL certificate can secure unlimited subdomains associated with a main domain. The security of mail.example.com, shop.example.com, and any additional subdomains that follow the same pattern can be achieved easily with a cheap Wildcard SSL certificate. However, it should be noted that Wildcard SSL does not cover subdomains with more than one level, such as sub.sub.example.com.
Multi-domain SSL Certificate — A multi-domain SSL certificate provides a more versatile option by protecting numerous domain names and subdomains at various levels. This SSL certificate is perfect for companies that manage multiple domains or subdomains at different levels, including www.example.com, example.net, and blog.example.com.
However, data shows that a wildcard SSL certificate is a more popular and economical subdomain choice.
Important Considerations During Selection of SSL Certificates for Subdomains
Choosing SSL certificates for your subdomains can be a daunting task. From budget to requirements, compatibility to legal compliances there is a long list of things to keep in mind. To make this process a bit easier here is a list of key considerations to keep in mind during the selection process:
Encryption Strength
SSL Certificates come in various encryption strengths, most common are the 128-bit and 256-bit. Choosing an SSL certificate with minimum encryption strength of 256-bit is advisable as it provides adequate security for most websites. These bits ensure that the data transmitted between your server and a user’s browser is protected by a complex algorithm. The complexity of SSL encryption makes it highly resistant to potential cyber threats and breaches.
Compatibility
The SSL certificate should be compatible with your web server software and the browsers
you want to support. The best practice would involve testing the certificate to ensure a secure and seamless experience. Incompatible SSL certificates can lead to security warnings stopping visitors, weakening their trust and potentially affecting the websites traffic and conversions.
Reputation of the Issuer
A Certificate Authority (CA) validates a company’s identity like domain name, individual or company identity proof, and email address to issue an SSL certificate. A verified SSL certificate ensures end users about the website’s authenticity and when it is from a well-known CA like DigiCert, AlphaSSL, GlobalSign the value of that SSL certificate increases subsequently.
Price and Support
While budget is an important consideration, it should not be the determining factor for selecting an SSL certificate. The level of support the SSL provider offers, especially for businesses that may require assistance during setup, is equally important. So, a cheap Wildcard SSL certificate fits well in all the above parameters.
Warranty
SSL certificates come with a warranty, which acts as a safety net, offering compensation to your users in case of a security breach attributed to a certificate flaw.
It is important to evaluate different SSL warranties and select an SSL certificate that aligns with both your security needs and business objectives.
How to Get SSL Certificates for subdomains
After you select the desired SSL certificate and CA, you can proceed with the subscription. Following are the steps to integrate these certificates in your domain:
Check the Domain’s Validity
The CA offers various certificate validations, the level of which depends on the trust that you wish to build with your users. These validations start from Domain Validation (DV) which is the lowest level of validation, and verifies that the user who requested the certificate controls the domain that the certificate protects. Next comes the Organization Validation (OV) that verifies the identity of the organization, after OV is the Individual Validation (IV) which verifies the identity of the individual person listed as the Subject of the certificate.
Set Up the SSL Certificate
The hosting providers determine and assist with the installation steps.
Configure Your Site to Use HTTPS
Once the SSL certificate is installed, ensure that HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) settings are set as the default for your website. It is important to change your website’s settings to force all traffic from HTTP to HTTPS.
Avoid these pitfalls when you purchase an SSL certificate for your subdomain.
- Making an incorrect selection for an SSL certificate — Pick a certificate that fits the bill for your website’s security. For an online store, an OV certificate would be ideal.
- Not setting up your SSL certificate correctly — If you want your SSL certificate to work properly, you need to install and configure it according to the provider’s instructions.
- Allowing your SSL certificate to expire — In order to keep your service running smoothly, make sure to renew your SSL certificate before it expires.
How Wildcard SSL Certificate Can Help
Website security is complex. But don’t let these complexities limit you from taking that extra step towards a secure website and browsing experience. Evaluate your needs and consult with Cheap Wildcard SSL today. Equip your subdomains with SSL certificates that safeguard data and instill confidence in every visitor. A secure website is not just an operational necessity — it’s a commitment to your users’ safety and trust.
