How to Set Up SSL Certificates in cPanel for Enhanced Security

Publish By:- CodeInputs

This guide walks you through the process of setting up SSL certificates in cPanel, ensuring your website is secure and trustworthy. Learn the importance of SSL for online security and follow easy steps to activate SSL on your cPanel server, boosting both user confidence and SEO.

What is SSL?

A secure technique known as SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, creates an encrypted connection between a user's browser and a web server. Any data sent between the browser and the server is protected and kept private thanks to this encryption. SSL is necessary to prevent hackers from intercepting private data, including credit card numbers, login credentials, and personal information.

When a website has an SSL certificate, its URL starts with https:// instead of http:// and a padlock icon appears in the browser's address bar. Because search engines like Google give priority to safe websites in their rankings, SSL not only increases website security but also helps SEO.

SSL has been largely replaced by TLS (Transport Layer Security), which is an updated and more secure version, but the term "SSL" is still commonly used to refer to both technologies.

Steps to activate SSL in cPanel

Step-1 Login to cPanel

• Access your cPanel dashboard by logging in with your credentials. The URL is usually something like yourdomain.com/cpanel.

Step-2 Navigate to the SSL/TLS Section

• Scroll down to find the "Security" section and click on "SSL/TLS". This is where you’ll manage SSL certificates.

Step-3 Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

• If you're purchasing a new SSL certificate, you’ll first need a CSR.

• In the SSL/TLS section, click "Generate, view, or delete SSL certificate signing requests".

• Enter your domain, organization details, and other required information, then generate the CSR.

• Copy the CSR code to provide to your SSL certificate provider when purchasing the certificate.

Step-4 Install the SSL Certificate

• Once you receive the SSL certificate files from your provider, go back to the SSL/TLS section in cPanel.
• Click "Manage SSL Sites" under "Install and Manage SSL for your site (HTTPS)".

• In the "Domain" dropdown, select the domain where you want to install the SSL certificate.

• Paste the certificate details (Certificate, Private Key, and CA Bundle) provided by your SSL issuer into the appropriate fields.

Step-5 Activate AutoSSL (If Available)

• Many cPanel setups offer a free SSL option via AutoSSL.
• If AutoSSL is available, go to SSL/TLS Status or the AutoSSL section.

• Click "Run AutoSSL" to automatically generate and install an SSL certificate for your domain.

Step-6 Verify SSL Installation

• Visit your website with https:// in the URL. If the SSL was successfully installed, a padlock icon should appear in the browser address bar.

• You can also use online tools like SSL Checker to confirm the SSL certificate's validity.

With these steps, your SSL certificate should be active, securing your website and enabling HTTPS for your domain.