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LetsEncrypt SSL - Installation and Guide

What is an SSL and why do you need one?

SSL is a cryptographic protocols that provide communications security over a computer network. An SSL ensures a trusted, private communication between the client, the website and the server.

What is a Let’sEncrypt SSL?

Let’sEncrypt is a free, automated, open certificate authority that makes it possible to set up an HTTPS server and have it automatically obtain a browser-trusted certificate, without any human intervention. To learn more please visit https://letsencrypt.org/

How to install LE on your site on CloudAccess.net platform?

Please go to Security -> LetsEncrypt section in your website management area in CCP and click the Install button. The certificate will be installed automatically and show you the time remaining to be enabled.

How to use the SSL on your website?

Joomla: Global Configuration -> Server -> Force SSL -> Entire Site
WordPress: Go to General Settings and then change the WordPress Address (URL) and the Site Address (URL) to https://yoursitesname.com

Renewal

The renewal process is fully automatic. Every three months your free Let’sEncrypt SSL will be renewed and you will get an email notification. LE will keep renewing every 3 months until you uninstall it from your site.

Uninstallation

If you decide to uninstall your Let’sEncrypt SSL, just go to the Security -> LetsEnctrypt section in your website management area in CCP and click the Uninstall button.
Important: You will need to reverse the How to use the SSL on your website that was listed above if you decide to uninstall the SSL.

Free Let’sEncrypt certificate vs paid certificates

Let’sEncrypt is a free anonymous DV (Domain Validation) Certificate. DV certificates are issued very quickly and no company information is being checked or displayed with the certificate.
They are easy to obtain and perfect to use on sites that need basic encryption for logins, forms and other non-transactional data.

We recommend using the LE certificate for:

sites in development
sites that are not at risk of fraud or phishing
sites that do not handle sensitive data or e-commerce

Paid certificates provide OV (Organization Verification) and EV (Extended Verification) and are perfect for websites that need the trust of their clients in handling sensitive client and financial data.

Pros:

Process of issuing a certificate is more rigorous (identity check)
Company / website owner details are displayed to users (certificate is not anonymous)
EV certificates display a green bar in the browser address bar (highest level of trust)

Click here for more details about the paid cerificates we offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

I've enabled the SSL on my site and now see errors when accessing it though HTTPS, what should I do?

Most sites will work properly using https from the start. In some cases, a template, theme or plugin may cause the site to show errors when loading through https. In those cases, we recommend using the commonly used tool WhyNoPadlock to see why the errors are presented.

I use a CDN or 3rd party DNS service, will LetsEncrypt SSL's still work?

This depends on how the service is configured. We have seen some cases where the SSL will install and work properly, and others where it does not. We recommend trying the install and if it fails or you are still not able to connect through HTTPS, then you may need to take extra steps like contacting your CDN or DNS provider.

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