How to get the SSL Certificate from GoDaddy
Introduction
An important document to obtain for safety and security on the Internet nowadays is a SSL certificate. This certifies ownership of the website, keeps user data secure, and prevents hackers from creating a fake version of the website. Obtaining this certificate is crucial for your website, especially since creating subdomains requires one to carry over throughout the domain name. Here, we explore how to obtain a certificate through GoDaddy.
Requirements to Get a SSL Certificate
To use a self–signed SSL/TLS certificate, you must provide the certificate and its private key. To use a certificate signed by a certificate authority (CA), you must also include the certificate chain. Your certificate must satisfy the following criteria:
- 1024-bit RSA (RSA_1024)
- 2048-bit RSA (RSA_2048)
- 3072-bit RSA (RSA_3072)
- 4096-bit RSA (RSA_4096)
- Elliptic Prime Curve 256 bit (EC_prime256v1)
- Elliptic Prime Curve 384 bit (EC_secp384r1)
- Elliptic Prime Curve 521 bit (EC_secp521r1)
The certificate must be an SSL/TLS X.509 version 3 certificate. It must contain a public key, the fully qualified domain name (FQDN), and information about the issuer. The certificate can be self-signed by your private key or by the private key of an issuing CA. If your certificate is signed by a CA, you must include the certificate chain when you import your certificate.
Using GoDaddy to Get a SSL Certificate
For the sake of this tutorial, we are using GoDaddy to purchase a SSL certificate. You may use another provider if you do not wish to use GoDaddy.
Assuming you already created an account and purchased a certificate, go to account.godaddy.com/products, and click on Manage. This will show you all details for your SSL certificate for your subdomain. Next to this, you will see a box that says “Download Certificate.” Select “Apache” as the server type, and download the ZIP file.
IMPORTANT! Upon purchasing your SSL certificate, it will give you a private key. Please keep this safe and backed up, as you will need this for uploading the new certificate to your subdomain. This key will not download in the ZIP file.
Summary
Obtaining a SSL Certificate will ensure your guests that you own this website and you are committed to keep their data safe and secure as they do business with you. Your reputation as a business proves itself when you keep security your number one priority on the Internet. If you have other questions about Internet safety and security, please contact us.
