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What is SSL? #
SSL (Secure Socket Layer), is a server-side service that encrypts data that is input through a web page. It is commonly used in conjunction with online forms and shopping carts to secure the transmission of sensitive data, such as credit card information.
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How do you use SSL with a domain? #
By default, SSL is disabled, but it is available upon request at no extra charge. If you want us to enable SSL for your site, just let us know by submitting a support ticket through our Help Desk.
In order to call out your SSL files or directories, you’ll need to make sure that the URL you use starts with https:// instead of http://.
When SSL is enabled, all web traffic for the domain will be encrypted. This could have a negative effect on the website’s performance. One option would be to setup hosting for a subdomain and only use that for SSL.
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How do you install a SSL certificate? #
To setup your own SSL certificate, enter a support ticket through our Help Desk and include the following information for your SSL Certificate:
- full domain name, either with our without “www” depending on how you plan on using it
- name of the organization
- name of the organization unit, ie. company department or section
- city
- state or province
- country
Once you have provided us with that information, we will generate a CSR for your domain, which you will then use when purchasing your SSL certificate. Choose a SSL certificate provider and follow the instructions on their website on how to purchase a SSL certificate. If they ask you for the type of web server we are using, select Apache + OpenSSL.
Once you have been issued your new SSL certificate, update your Help Desk ticket with the text of the certificate and we will install the certificate on your domain.
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Do you recommend any SSL certificate providers? #
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Is there a way to force all traffic to redirect to SSL? #
You can redirect all traffic for your domain, or traffic for a particular directory to use SSL. To do this for the whole domain add the following to your .htaccess file, replacing example.com with your domain name:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond %{ENV:HTTPS} !on [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://example.com/$1 [R,L]
To do this for a particular folder you can add this, substituting in your domain and directory name:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond %{ENV:HTTPS} !on [NC]
RewriteRule ^directory/(.*)$ https://example.com/directory/$1 [R,L]