How do you encrypt your web server?

In simple words, SSL/TLS certificates are like digital locks and stamps of approval that websites use to keep your information safe when you visit and interact with them. Just like you want your secrets to stay private, websites want to keep your information safe from prying eyes on the internet. :)

In order to provide a high degree of privacy, SSL encrypts data that is transmitted across the web. This means that anyone who tries to intercept this data will only see a garbled mix of characters that is nearly impossible to decrypt.

One of the most popular options is to purchase a certificate from a trusted certificate authority (CA). Certificate authorities are third-party organizations that issue SSL certificates after verifying the identity of the website owner. To purchase an SSL certificate, you will need to generate a certificate signing request (CSR) on your web server. The CSR contains information about your website and is used by the CA to generate the SSL certificate. Once you have generated the CSR, you can submit it to the CA. The CA will then verify your identity and issue the SSL certificate. Let's Encrypt certificates (another option!) are trusted by all major browsers and can be obtained using automated tools such as Certbot.

Utilizing tools like SSL Checker or SSL Labs after the SSL/TLS certificate installation process provides you with an extra layer of security assessment. These tools not only verify proper installation but also help uncover potential vulnerabilities. For instance, they can identify if your web server is using older and less secure versions of TLS, such as TLS 1.0. By revealing such issues, you can take steps to configure your web server to use only the latest and most secure TLS versions. This further strengthens your encryption protocols, enhancing the overall security posture of your web server.

As stated on their website, IONOS holds the title of the largest web hosting company in Europe. Their services cater mainly to small and medium-sized businesses, boasting over 8 million customer contracts and providing hosting for more than 12 million domains. To utilize their SSL Certificate Checker, there's no requirement to be their customer or create a free account. This tool is available for anyone to use, offering a complimentary SSL test.

Set up a reminder system to alert you well in advance of certificate expiration dates. Certificates usually have a validity period of 1 to 2 years, depending on the provider. Use tools like Certbot for Let's Encrypt certificates to automate the renewal process. This ensures that your certificates are always up-to-date without manual intervention. Keep your web server software (Apache or Nginx) up-to-date to benefit from security patches and improvements. Subscribe to security mailing lists or notifications from your certificate provider to be aware of any potential vulnerabilities related to your SSL/TLS certificates. Regularly back up your SSL/TLS certificate files and private keys in a secure location.

There is a way to maintain free SSL for your website/domain and it doesn't take too much effort to deploy it. That is used through DNS providers and managers such as CloudFlare / Google / AWS / Azure. You can use SSL for free because the renewal mechanism will be set up automatically by these providers. However, you need to evaluate to choose the right SSL type for your individual/organization. Because for SSL provided by CA providers, there will be a certain guarantee as well as insurance for the CA they sell.

Encrypting your web server with SSL/TLS not only safeguards your users' data but also enhances your website's security, trustworthiness, and compliance with privacy regulations. It's a fundamental practice for any website that wants to prioritize security and user privacy. E-commerce websites that handle financial transactions must use encryption mandatory to protect customers' credit card details and other payment information.