How to Install SSL on VPS Using Certbot
Securing your website with an SSL certificate is essential for data security and building trust with your visitors. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing an SSL certificate on your Virtual Private Server (VPS) using Certbot, a popular tool for managing SSL certificates.
Before we start, please make sure you have root access to your VPS and have Apache or Nginx web server installed. If you haven’t already installed Certbot, you can do so by following the official instructions on their website.
Step 1: Install Certbot
First, SSH into your VPS and run the following commands to install Certbot:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install certbot
For CentOS, you can install Certbot using the EPEL repository:
sudo yum install epel-release
sudo yum install certbot
Step 2: Obtain SSL Certificate
Next, run Certbot to obtain an SSL certificate for your domain. Replace example.com with your actual domain name:
sudo certbot --apache -d example.com
If you are using Nginx, use the following command instead:
sudo certbot --nginx -d example.com
Step 3: Automate Certificate Renewal
To ensure your SSL certificate stays valid, set up a cron job to automatically renew it. Edit your crontab file:
sudo crontab -e
And add the following line to check for renewal twice a day:
0 0,12 * * * certbot renew
Step 4: Verify SSL Configuration
After obtaining the SSL certificate, verify your configuration by visiting https://example.com in your web browser. You should see a padlock icon indicating a secure connection.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed an SSL certificate on your VPS using Certbot. Your website is now secured with encrypted connections, providing a safer browsing experience for your visitors.
If you encounter any issues during the installation process, refer to the Certbot documentation or seek help from your VPS provider. Stay proactive in maintaining your SSL certificate to ensure continuous protection for your website.