Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and its successor, Transport Layer Security (TLS), are cryptographic protocols that ensure secure communication between web servers and browsers. They are essential for protecting sensitive data, such as personal information, credit card details, and login credentials. Managing SSL/TLS certificates in Plesk, a popular web hosting control panel, is a straightforward process that ensures your websites are secure, which is critical for building trust with visitors and complying with best practices for internet security.
Understanding SSL/TLS Certificates
An SSL/TLS certificate is a digital certificate issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that validates the identity of a website and encrypts data transmitted between the server and the client. Websites secured with SSL/TLS display “https://” in the URL, and browsers show a padlock icon in the address bar, indicating the site is safe for communication.There are three types of SSL certificates:
- Domain Validated (DV): These certificates only verify the domain ownership.Organization Validated (OV): These verify the organization’s identity in addition to the domain.Extended Validation (EV): The highest level of validation, displaying the organization’s name in the browser’s address bar. Plesk and SSL/TLS Certificates
Plesk simplifies the process of managing SSL/TLS certificates. It offers a user-friendly interface for both server administrators and website owners to install, configure, and manage SSL certificates on their domains. Plesk provides support for a variety of certificate types, including free ones like Let’s Encrypt and commercial certificates from other CAs.
Steps for Managing SSL/TLS Certificates in Plesk1. Installing SSL/TLS Certificates
There are several ways to install SSL certificates in Plesk, depending on whether you’re using a self-signed certificate, a free certificate like Let’s Encrypt, or a paid certificate from a third-party provider.
a. Using Let’s Encrypt (Free SSL)
Plesk makes it incredibly easy to install a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate for a domain. Here are the steps:
- Login to Plesk as the admin or domain owner.Navigate to Websites & Domains and find the domain you wish to secure.Click on SSL/TLS Certificates.In the certificate management section, click on Get it free under the Let’s Encrypt option.Select the domains to secure (you can also secure subdomains or www variants) and click Install.
Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates are automatically renewed by Plesk, so you don’t need to worry about expiry.
b. Installing a Paid SSL Certificate
To install a third-party SSL certificate:
- In SSL/TLS Certificates, click on Add SSL/TLS Certificate.You’ll need to upload the certificate files provided by the CA (the certificate itself, intermediate certificates, and private key).After uploading, select the certificate and apply it to the domain.The SSL certificate will now be active, and your website will be served securely. 2. Configuring SSL/TLS for Websites
Once an SSL/TLS certificate is installed, you need to configure it to ensure that your website is properly secured.
a. Force HTTPS for the Domain
To ensure that all traffic to your site is encrypted, you should configure your website to automatically redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS:
- Go to Websites & Domains.Click on Hosting Settings.Under Security, check the box for Permanent SEO-safe 301 redirect from HTTP to HTTPS.Click OK to save your settings.
This forces every visitor to access your website using HTTPS, improving security and preventing the use of insecure HTTP.
b. Configure HTTP/2 and TLS Version
For optimal security and performance, you can configure Plesk to use the latest protocols:
- Go to Tools & Settings > SSL/TLS Certificates.Enable HTTP/2 for better performance.Ensure that TLS 1.2 or higher is enabled to provide the latest secure protocols. Older versions like TLS 1.0 and 1.1 are considered insecure and should be disabled. 3. Managing SSL/TLS Certificates
Once your SSL certificate is installed and configured, ongoing management is necessary to maintain security:
a. Monitoring SSL Expiry
SSL certificates have an expiration date, and if a certificate expires, visitors to your site will receive warnings about the security of your site. Plesk will show an expiry date for each SSL certificate, allowing you to monitor them proactively. For certificates like Let’s Encrypt, Plesk automatically renews them.
b. Renewing an SSL Certificate
For a commercial certificate, renewal is required before it expires. The process involves purchasing a new certificate from the CA, downloading the updated certificate files, and re-uploading them in Plesk.
c. Revoking and Replacing SSL Certificates
If an SSL certificate is compromised or you no longer wish to use a particular certificate, you can revoke or replace it in Plesk. Revoking a certificate requires generating a Certificate Revocation List (CRL) and notifying your CA. Replacing a certificate follows the same procedure as installing a new one.
4. Testing SSL Configuration
After installing and configuring your SSL certificate, it’s essential to test your website’s SSL/TLS configuration. Use tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test to ensure that your certificate is correctly installed and configured, and that your site is using secure protocols and ciphers.
Conclusion
Managing SSL/TLS certificates in Plesk is a critical step in securing websites and ensuring trust and data privacy for visitors. With tools like Let’s Encrypt, easy installation processes, and automated renewal features, Plesk makes it simple for web hosting administrators and website owners to implement and maintain SSL/TLS certificates. Regular monitoring and proper configuration of SSL/TLS certificates help prevent security vulnerabilities and ensure your website remains safe for all users.