Wildcard SSL Certificates allow you to protect many subdomains with just one certificate. When applying, you use a wildcard character (an asterisk ‘*’). This makes managing SSL Certificates easier for businesses with many subdomains.
Wildcards are cost-effective compared to normal SSL certificates. They cover multiple subdomains under one main domain. This means you don’t need to buy a lot of certificates. However, they can’t secure second-level subdomains directly. You’ll need extra steps for full protection.
Introduction to Wildcard SSL Certificates
Nowadays, having encrypted and secure websites is crucial. A solid Introduction to SSL is needed for firms focusing on top-notch online safety. SSL/TLS certificates play a key role in securing web communication. Wildcard SSL Certificates are especially valuable due to their ability to cover multiple needs with one solution.
Wildcard SSL Certificate uses a special wildcard character (*) to cover many subdomains under one domain. This is great for organizations with lots of subdomains. It’s more straightforward and cheaper than getting many SSL certificates – one for each subdomain.
Every day, more than a million SSL certificates are handed out, showing how essential they are for internet safety. Loved by users and search engines, Wildcard SSL Certificates keep all subdomains safe, now and in the future. This means better security without having to buy extra certificates each time.
Companies like Comodo sell Wildcard SSL Certificates for $359 to $671 a year. Prices vary based on the services offered, like warranties and security checks. Despite the cost, the benefits of better encryption are clear. They make websites work faster and manage SSL certificates easier.
Wildcard SSL Certificates are great for the future because they automatically protect new subdomains. So, you don’t need to buy new certificates. They also help your website rank better on Google. This is thanks to Google’s preference for fully HTTPS-secured sites.
To sum up, picking a Wildcard SSL Certificate means your web communication stays secure. It also makes managing SSL encryption simpler across many subdomains. You’ll enjoy better security, save money, and your website will perform better.
What Is Wildcard SSL Certificate
A Wildcard SSL Certificate lets you secure multiple subdomains with just one certificate. This is great for organizations with many subdomains. It uses an asterisk (*) as a placeholder, simplifying management.
Definition and Basic Info
The Wildcard SSL definition explains that these certificates secure a main domain and all first-level subdomains. For instance, getting a Wildcard SSL for *.yourdomain.com covers www.yourdomain.com, mail.yourdomain.com, and blog.yourdomain.com. This versatility is perfect for growing sites. But, Wildcard certificates cannot secure items for Extended Validation (EV) purposes individually. Each EV certificate item must meet specific CA/Browser Forum standards.
Companies like SSL.com offer Organization Validated (OV) Wildcard SSL Certificates. These ensure the main domain and subdomains are securely authenticated. With the base domain name included as a Subject Alternative Name (SAN) entry, it makes understanding SSL Certificate basics easier.
How Wildcard SSL Works
Using a Wildcard SSL Certificate is simple yet effective. It secures data across all subdomains of your main domain with one private key. This method streamlines subdomain security. But, it’s vital to keep an eye on these certificates to avoid vulnerabilities. For example, a problem with Epic Games’ Wildcard SSL in May 2018 led to a major outage, showing the need for proper management.
Tools like Keyfactor Command help manage and renew Wildcard SSL Certificates. This prevents downtime and keeps your domains safe. To renew, you generate a new Certificate Signing Request (CSR) and submit it to a Certificate Authority (CA). This process ensures your subdomains and main domain stay protected.
Advantages of Using Wildcard SSL Certificates
Wildcard SSL certificates bring big benefits in security and savings for your website. Here are the main reasons to choose Wildcard SSL certificates.
Cost Efficiency
One big plus is the SSL cost saving. You only need one Wildcard SSL certificate for all your subdomains, instead of many. This can cut your costs by up to 72% compared to buying separate SSLs. Budget-wise organizations find this very appealing for securing multiple subdomains.
Simplified Management
Wildcard SSL Certificates make it easier to manage SSL across subdomains. You manage just one certificate for everything. This makes everything less complicated and lowers the chance of mistakes in issuing and renewing SSLs. Your website stays safe in a more simple, efficient way.
Enhanced Security
For any site, Security with SSL is critical. Wildcard SSL certificates ensure strong encryption across all subdomains. This evens out security, decreasing the risk of cyber attacks. Plus, SSL helps your site rank better in search results. This shows how vital encryption is for trust and credibility online.
Limitations of Wildcard SSL Certificates
Wildcard SSL certificates bring many benefits but have certain limitations. They can’t secure second-level subdomains. For instance, they cover *.primarydomain.com but not *.subdomain.primarydomain.com. To secure all desired subdomains, one might need more Wildcard SSL certificates or switch to Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL options.
Also, Wildcard SSL certificates are pricier than standard SSL certificates. They can cover unlimited subdomains, which might save money. However, this comes with a higher upfront cost. Plus, installing these certificates on several servers may incur additional fees from some Certificate Authorities (CAs).
It’s important to know that Wildcard SSL certificates don’t offer extended validation (EV). They are available with domain validation (DV) and organizational validation (OV) only. Firms needing the highest trust level may prefer multi-domain EV SSL certificates, avoiding Wildcard SSL limits.
The security risks of Wildcard SSL certificates are significant. If the private key is compromised, it can affect many systems. Such a breach would require revoking or updating the key across all servers at once, disrupting operations.
Managing all certificates, including Wildcard types, is crucial for an organization. Tools like Keyfactor Command can assist in handling the complexity of keys and certificates. While Wildcard SSL certificates offer advantages and potential savings, be aware of their constraints. This awareness will help in picking the right SSL strategy for your needs.
Wildcard Certificates for Second-Level Subdomains
As web setups get more complex, it’s crucial to secure second-level subdomains. Organizations must find strong security solutions for their multiple subdomain layers.
Securing Second-Level Subdomains
Securing second-level subdomains poses a challenge. Wildcard SSL certificates cover first-level subdomains only. For second-level ones like mail.example.com and photos.example.com, it’s different. You need to either buy more Wildcard SSLs for each or find a better way.
Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL Certificates
A Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL is both versatile and cost-saving. It secures many domains and their subdomains together. This simplifies the SSL certificate system. It’s great for organizations with complex domain setups, improving security and ease of management across up to 250 domains and subdomains.
Whether it’s a Comodo Positive Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL at $90.00/yr or a GeoTrust True BusinessID Wildcard at $347.13/yr, these certificates make the process quick. They ensure modern 256-bit encryption standards. Using a Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL boosts your web security. It also makes managing large subdomain networks easier.
How to Obtain and Install a Wildcard SSL Certificate
Getting a Wildcard SSL certificate for your site is a smart choice. It lets you secure many subdomains with one certificate. We’ll show you the key steps to get and set up a Wildcard SSL certificate.
Generating a CSR
First, you need to create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR). This request gives information on your organization and the domain to be secured. Here are the steps to make a CSR:
- Go to your server’s control panel or terminal.
- Start the CSR creation, using wildcard notation (e.g., `*.example.com`) to cover the domain and subdomains.
- Enter details like your organization’s name, city, and country.
- Send the CSR to your Certificate Authority (CA), like Comodo, GeoTrust, or Thawte.
After the CA checks your CSR, they will send you your Wildcard SSL certificate.
Installation Process
With your Wildcard SSL certificate ready, the next step is to install it. Make sure your main domain and subdomains use the certificate’s encryption. Here are the steps for installation:
- Put the certificate files (including the private key and intermediate certificates) on your server.
- Tell your web server to use the Wildcard SSL certificate. This usually means changing the server’s config file to include the certificate and key files.
- Restart your web server to make the changes work and check that the certificate is active.
- Check your site with HTTPS to see if there’s a secure lock icon in the browser’s address bar.
Properly installing your SSL certificate secures not just your main site but all listed subdomains under the wildcard. This gives your whole web environment strong protection.
Conclusion
Looking back at our Wildcard SSL Certificates review, it’s clear they offer a great way to keep many subdomains safe. With just one wildcard certificate, businesses can protect endless subdomains. This saves money and makes things easier to handle. It’s a smart choice for those who manage lots of subdomains, making the web safer and cutting down on work.
Yet, it’s important to see Wildcard SSL Certificates are not without their downsides. Risks like key compromises and server vulnerabilities mean you need to stay sharp. Remember the Epic Games incident? Their wildcard certificate expired, causing big problems. It shows how vital it is to keep up with certificate renewals and security checks.
Moving forward with SSL means knowing what your domain needs. Wildcard SSL Certificates simplify things, save money, and boost security. But, weigh these advantages against the risks to keep your online spaces safe. As web security grows, keep adopting the best practices. This ensures your users enjoy a secure browsing experience.
