Introduction
Welcome to our guide on how to install SSL certificate on Nginx server. Nowadays, SSL certificate is an essential part of website security. It encrypts the data transferred between the website and the user’s browser, ensuring that no unauthorized person can access it. Therefore, it is crucial for website owners to have an SSL certificate installed on their server. In this guide, we will discuss how to install an SSL certificate on Nginx server, which is one of the most popular web servers used by millions of websites worldwide.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is intended for web developers, system administrators, and anyone who is responsible for managing a website. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will walk you through the process of installing an SSL certificate on Nginx server step-by-step.
Why is SSL certificate important?
As mentioned earlier, SSL certificate encrypts the data transferred between the website and the user’s browser. This means that even if someone intercepts the data, they will not be able to read it. SSL certificate also has other benefits, such as boosting website SEO and ranking, improving user trust and confidence, and avoiding security warnings from browsers.
Prerequisites
Before we get started, there are a few prerequisites that you need to have:
Prerequisite |
Description |
|---|---|
A domain name |
You should have a domain name registered for your website. |
An SSL certificate |
You should have an SSL certificate purchased or obtained from a certificate authority (CA). |
A running Nginx server |
You should have a running Nginx server on your system. |
Root access |
You should have root access to your server. |
Let’s get started!
Now that you have all the prerequisites, we can start with the installation process. We will divide the installation process into three main steps:
Step 1: Configure Nginx
The first step is to configure Nginx to use SSL. To do this, follow the steps below:
Step 1.1: Install Nginx plugin
The first thing you need to do is install the Nginx SSL plugin. Follow the commands below to install the Nginx plugin:
sudo apt-get install nginx
Step 1.2: Create SSL directory
Next, create a directory where the SSL certificate files will be stored. Run the following command to create the directory:
sudo mkdir /etc/nginx/ssl
Step 1.3: Copy SSL certificate files
Once you have created the directory, copy the SSL certificate files to the directory. You should have the following files:
- Your SSL certificate file (e.g., example.crt)
- Your SSL certificate key file (e.g., example.key)
- The CA intermediate certificate file (e.g., intermediate.crt or bundle.crt)
Run the following commands to copy the SSL certificate files to the SSL directory:
sudo cp example.crt /etc/nginx/ssl/
sudo cp example.key /etc/nginx/ssl/
sudo cp intermediate.crt /etc/nginx/ssl/
Step 1.4: Update Nginx configuration
Lastly, update the Nginx configuration file to use SSL. Open the Nginx configuration file located at /etc/nginx/nginx.conf using your favorite text editor. Add the following lines after the server_name directive:
listen 443;
ssl on;
ssl_certificate /etc/nginx/ssl/example.crt;
ssl_certificate_key /etc/nginx/ssl/example.key;
ssl_trusted_certificate /etc/nginx/ssl/intermediate.crt;
Save the file and exit the text editor. Restart Nginx using the following command:
sudo service nginx restart
Step 2: Test SSL
The second step is to test that SSL is working correctly on your website. To do this, follow the steps below:
Step 2.1: Verify SSL installation
Verify that SSL is installed correctly on your website by visiting your website using HTTPS. You should see a green padlock icon in the browser’s address bar, indicating that your website is using SSL.
Step 2.2: Check SSL certificate details
Check the SSL certificate details by clicking on the green padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. You should see the SSL certificate details, including the certificate issuer, validity period, and encryption strength.
Step 2.3: Use online SSL checker
You can also use an online SSL checker tool to verify that your SSL certificate is installed correctly. One such tool is SSL Checker. Enter your website URL and click on “Check SSL”. The tool will verify your SSL certificate and provide you with a detailed report.
Step 3: Advantages and Disadvantages of SSL
Advantages of SSL
SSL encrypts the data transferred between the website and the user’s browser, making it impossible for hackers to intercept or steal the data.
SSL improves website SEO and ranking by providing a secure and trustworthy browsing experience to users.
SSL improves user trust and confidence in the website, leading to higher conversions and sales.
SSL avoids security warnings from browsers, which can scare off users and damage the website’s reputation.
Disadvantages of SSL
SSL can slow down your website’s performance due to the overhead of encryption and decryption.
SSL certificates can be expensive, especially for organizations with multiple domains or subdomains.
SSL certificates require renewal and maintenance, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is an SSL certificate?
A. An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that encrypts the data transferred between the website and the user’s browser. It ensures that the data is secure and cannot be intercepted or stolen by unauthorized persons.
Q2. How does SSL work?
A. SSL uses a combination of public and private keys to encrypt and decrypt the data. When a user visits a website with SSL, their browser and the website’s server exchange public keys to establish a secure connection. The data transferred between the two parties is then encrypted using the public keys and decrypted using the private keys.
Q3. How do I get an SSL certificate?
A. You can get an SSL certificate from a certificate authority (CA). There are many CAs available, such as Let’s Encrypt, Comodo, and GeoTrust. You can choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
Q4. How much does an SSL certificate cost?
A. The cost of an SSL certificate varies depending on the type and level of validation. Domain-validated (DV) SSL certificates are the cheapest, while Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates are the most expensive. The price can range from free (for Let’s Encrypt SSL) to hundreds of dollars per year.
Q5. How long does an SSL certificate last?
A. The validity period of an SSL certificate varies depending on the CA and the level of validation. Typically, SSL certificates can last from one year to three years. After that, you need to renew your SSL certificate to maintain the encryption.
Q6. Can I install SSL certificate myself?
A. Yes, you can install an SSL certificate yourself if you have the necessary technical skills and root access to your server. However, it is recommended to hire a professional or use a managed SSL service to ensure that the installation is done correctly.
Q7. What happens if my SSL certificate expires?
A. If your SSL certificate expires, your website will no longer be secure, and users will receive security warnings from their browsers. This can damage your website’s reputation and lead to a loss of traffic and sales. Therefore, it is crucial to renew your SSL certificate before it expires.
Q8. How can I check if my SSL certificate is installed correctly?
A. You can check if your SSL certificate is installed correctly by visiting your website using HTTPS and checking for the green padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. You can also use online SSL checker tools such as SSL Checker to verify your SSL certificate.
Q9. What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
A. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a protocol used to transfer data between the website and the user’s browser. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a more secure version of HTTP that uses SSL/TLS encryption to protect the data transferred between the two parties.
Q10. Do I need SSL if my website doesn’t handle sensitive information?
A. Yes, you still need SSL even if your website doesn’t handle sensitive information. SSL encrypts all data transferred between the website and the user’s browser, making it harder for hackers to intercept or steal the data. SSL also improves website SEO and ranking by providing a secure and trustworthy browsing experience to users.
Q11. What are the different types of SSL certificates?
A. There are three main types of SSL certificates: domain-validated (DV) SSL, organization-validated (OV) SSL, and extended-validation (EV) SSL. DV SSL certificates are the cheapest and easiest to obtain, while EV SSL certificates are the most expensive and require the highest level of validation.
Q12. Can SSL affect my website’s SEO?
A. Yes, SSL can affect your website’s SEO and ranking positively. Google has confirmed that SSL is a ranking signal, meaning that websites with SSL are more likely to rank higher in search results than websites without SSL.
Q13. How can I renew my SSL certificate?
A. You can renew your SSL certificate by contacting your certificate authority (CA) or renewing it through your web hosting provider. The renewal process may vary depending on the CA and the type of SSL certificate you have.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully installed an SSL certificate on Nginx server. With SSL, your website is now more secure, trustworthy, and SEO-friendly. We hope that this guide has been useful to you and has helped you understand the importance of SSL certificate and how to install it on Nginx server. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Now that you have installed SSL on your website, make sure to renew it before it expires, maintain it regularly, and provide a secure and trustworthy browsing experience to your users.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this guide is for educational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information presented. The installation and configuration of SSL certificate can vary depending on your system and needs. Therefore, we recommend that you consult with a professional or your web hosting provider before making any changes to your system.