Learn How To Create Self-Signed SSL Certificate

The officially recognized SSL Certificate is usually provided by recognized certificate authorities and can be purchased online by anyone for a nominal fee. They are monitored and maintained by the companies which provide encryption solutions. Besides the mainstream solution, there are the private keys generated by self-signed certs. A set of rules and terms have to be met so that they are widely recognized by browsers as well as user computers around the globe. Before you proceed, know the simple and basic fact that traffic over the internet is always shared in an open format.

Encryption is implemented only for sharing banking details, credit card information or confidential stuff which ensures that it is received only by the intended recipient. The best SSL Certificate from certified CA is an assured way. Some individuals opt for self certs so as to cost cut and also to have maximum freedom for customizing their certificate as required.

An Overview Of Self-signed SSL Certificates

Basically, the concept runs on asymmetric cryptography which is usually known as the PKI or public key. In this process, two keys should be created, the public and the private one. A secured transaction is provided using this step where any data encrypted using any one of the keys can be decrypted only by the authorized other keys.

To make it more simple, if public key in a browser encrypts your credit card info, it can be read-only by the server which got the private key installed in it. Impersonation is a major type of fraud done online. To avoid it, you should start off by creating your own key using a tool kit. Next, is to generate a certificate signing request and then remove the passphrase from key.

  • The initial step is to get your server ready to accept the SSL
  • You can either wait for the CA to issue you one or generate your own cert to test whether it works properly or not.
  • Continue to install the private key and certificate.
  • Configure encryption enabled virtual host
  • Restart your Apache server and test its condition