Do you know of any comprehensive free SSL certificates available? And do you have insights on the installation process for these certificates? I've reviewed existing inquiries on this matter, but haven't come across a complete solution.



The suggestion to utilize a free certificate from the hosting provider isn't viable for me, as it would be their certificate rather than mine, resulting in a bonded binding to the host. Are there any alternative solutions to address this issue?

One of the most popular options for free SSL certificates is Let's Encrypt. To begin, you'll need to access your server and install Certbot, which is the recommended tool for obtaining Let's Encrypt certificates. The installation process may vary depending on your server's operating system, but Let's Encrypt provides comprehensive dоcumentation for different configurations.

Once Certbot is installed, you can use it to request an SSL certificate for your domain. This generally involves running a command that specifies the domain name and any additional configurations you may need. Certbot will then handle the certificate issuance and automatically configure your web server to use the new SSL certificate.

Another option for a free SSL certificate is Cloudflare. Setting up Cloudflare involves changing your domain's nameservers to point to Cloudflare's infrastructure. After this change, you can configure SSL settings within the Cloudflare dashboard to enable free SSL support for your website.

In both cases, after obtaining the SSL certificate, the next step is to configure your web server to use it. This typically involves updating your web server configuration to point to the SSL certificate files and enable HTTPS.
By using these free SSL certificates, you maintain full control and ownership of the certificate regardless of your hosting provider. This means you can freely move your website to different hosts without being tied to a specific SSL certificate.

I can tell you that implementing SSL/TLS certificates on your website is crucial for ensuring secure communication between the user's browser and your server. It also helps in boosting your website's search engine ranking as major search engines prefer websites with HTTPS over HTTP.

Firstly, when it comes to getting SSL certificates, one option is using LetsEncrypt, which provides the service for free. This can be included in the cost of hosting. The advantage of using LetsEncrypt is that there is no actual binding, meaning you can take the site to another provider, and most often the site will be transferred for free while the certificate will be issued as well.

Secondly, if you use VPS/VDS, you can install certbot and issue certificates for yourself, and they will even be renewed automatically.

Thirdly, obtaining commercial SSL for Russian domains has become more complicated as some vendors have suspended issuing them. Currently, only GlobalSign works for this. The issuance time has increased from a few minutes to several days due to manual site checks for phishing. Additionally, the cost of SSL has gone up. However, it's possible to keep prices down by buying a large package for a year ahead and maintaining a good working relationship with vendors.

In summary, whether you obtain SSL through hosting panel or via Certbot for a VPS or server, securing your website with SSL certificates is essential for its security and credibility.

There are indeed free SSL certificates available. However, these certificates typically provide only domain validation (DV) security, meaning they verify only the domain name and likely do not come with warranty obligations. This means that if there are issues with user data on your site, customers may not be able to claim damages.

It's important to consider the limitations of free SSL certificates, especially when it comes to the level of security and potential liability for your website. It's always a good idea to carefully evaluate your options and choose the best SSL certificate for your specific needs.