Interview logo

How to Convert Your Website from HTTP to HTTPS with SSL Certificate

SSL CERTIFICATE

By Ikechukwu NwannePublished about a year ago 6 min read
Like

With the increasing importance of online security, it has become essential for website owners to secure their websites with HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS encrypts the data transmitted between a user's browser and a website, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure from eavesdropping or tampering. One of the key components of setting up HTTPS is obtaining and installing an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate on your website. In this article, we will guide you through the process of converting your website from HTTP to HTTPS with an SSL certificate.

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that verifies the authenticity of a website and encrypts the data transmitted between the website and the user's browser. When a website has an SSL certificate installed, the website URL starts with "https://" instead of "http://", and a padlock icon appears in the browser's address bar, indicating that the website is secured with HTTPS.

Obtaining an SSL Certificate

There are several ways to obtain an SSL certificate for your website. One common option is to purchase an SSL certificate from a trusted certificate authority (CA). There are many reputable CAs, such as Let's Encrypt, Comodo, and Symantec, that offer SSL certificates at different price points and with varying levels of validation.

To obtain an SSL certificate, you need to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) on your web server. A CSR is a cryptographic file that contains information about your website, such as its domain name and public key. You can generate a CSR using a tool provided by your web hosting provider or a third-party tool.

Once you have generated a CSR, you need to submit it to the CA along with other required information, such as your organization's name and contact details. The CA will then verify the information provided and issue the SSL certificate if everything checks out. The SSL certificate is typically delivered to you as a digital file, which you need to install on your web server.

Installing the SSL Certificate

The process of installing an SSL certificate may vary depending on the web server software you are using. Here are general steps to install an SSL certificate on a common web server:

Obtain the SSL certificate from the CA in the appropriate format, such as PEM or PKCS12.

Log in to your web server and locate the directory where your website's files are stored.

Backup your website's files and database to ensure you have a copy of your website's data in case anything goes wrong during the installation process.

Upload the SSL certificate files to the appropriate directory on your web server. This may include the SSL certificate file, the private key file, and any intermediate certificate files provided by the CA.

Update your website's configuration to use the SSL certificate. This may involve modifying your web server's configuration files, such as the virtual host configuration for your website, to specify the SSL certificate files and enable HTTPS.

Restart your web server to apply the changes.

Test your website to ensure that it is properly using HTTPS. You can do this by accessing your website using HTTPS in your web browser and checking for the padlock icon in the address bar.

Redirecting HTTP to HTTPS

Once you have installed the SSL certificate and configured your website to use HTTPS, you need to redirect all HTTP requests to HTTPS to ensure that all traffic to your website is encrypted. There are several methods to achieve this redirection, depending on your web server software and website configuration. Here are some common methods:

Server-Side Redirect: You can use server-side redirects, such as 301 redirects, to automatically redirect all HTTP requests to HTTPS. This can be done by modifying your web server's configuration files, such

In today's world of online communication, security is of utmost importance. One of the most essential ways to ensure security is by encrypting data sent between a web server and a web browser using the SSL/TLS protocol. This protocol is indicated by the addition of an "s" to the http protocol, creating "https". Converting a website from http to https requires the installation of an SSL certificate. In this article, we will guide you on how to convert your website from http to https.

Firstly, it is important to understand the basics of SSL certificates. An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information sent between a server and a browser. SSL certificates are issued by Certificate Authorities (CAs) that verify the identity of the website owner and the website's domain name. SSL certificates are available in various types and levels of validation, ranging from basic domain validation to more extensive organization validation and extended validation certificates.

Once you have decided on the type of SSL certificate you need, the next step is to obtain it from a Certificate Authority (CA). Most CAs offer SSL certificates for purchase. Before buying an SSL certificate, make sure it is compatible with your web server software, as different types of servers require different SSL certificates.

After purchasing the SSL certificate, you need to install it on your web server. The installation process varies depending on your web server software, but generally, the steps are as follows:

Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) on your web server. This CSR is a message that contains your website's public key and identification information. You can generate a CSR using the SSL management tools provided by your web server software.

Submit the CSR to the CA you bought the SSL certificate from. The CA will verify your identity and domain name and issue the SSL certificate.

Install the SSL certificate on your web server. The installation process varies depending on your web server software. Most web servers provide tools for installing SSL certificates. You will need to provide the SSL certificate and private key, which is generated during the CSR process.

Test the SSL installation. Use a web browser to access your website using https:// in the URL. If the SSL installation is successful, you should see a padlock icon in the browser address bar indicating that the website is secure.

Once you have successfully installed the SSL certificate, the next step is to update your website to use https:// instead of http://. This involves updating all links and references to resources on your website, including images, scripts, and stylesheets, to use https:// instead of http://.

Failure to update all links and references to use https:// can result in security warnings and errors, such as "mixed content warnings," which indicate that the website is trying to load non-secure content over a secure connection.

If you are using a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress, updating to https:// may be a simpler process. Many CMSs provide tools for updating links and references automatically. However, it is still important to test your website thoroughly after making the switch to https:// to ensure that everything is working correctly.

In addition to the steps above, there are some other best practices you can follow to ensure the security and performance of your website after converting from http to https. These include:

Redirect all http:// traffic to https://. This can be done using a redirect rule in your web server configuration or using a plugin or extension if you are using a CMS.

Monitor your website for security vulnerabilities and threats. Use tools such as website vulnerability scanners and web application firewalls to detect and prevent attacks.

Optimize your website performance. HTTPS can cause a slight performance overhead due to the encryption and decryption of data. To optimize your website performance, use

Click Here TO Order

AuthorsHumanityCreators
Like

About the Creator

Ikechukwu Nwanne

I just find myself happy with the simple things. Appreciating the blessings god gave me.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.