In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is more important than ever. One way to enhance the security of your website is by installing an SSL certificate. An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts the data transmitted between a website and its visitors, ensuring that sensitive information remains private and secure. While SSL certificates were once costly and complicated to install, the introduction of Let’s Encrypt has made it easier than ever to secure your website for free.
Namecheap is a popular domain registrar and web hosting provider that offers an easy way to install a free SSL certificate through Let’s Encrypt. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of installing a free SSL certificate on Namecheap using Let’s Encrypt.
Step 1: Log in to Your Namecheap Account
To get started, log in to your Namecheap account. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to create one before proceeding.
Step 2: Access Your cPanel
Once you’re logged in, navigate to the dashboard of your hosting account and locate the cPanel (Control Panel) section. Click on the cPanel icon to access the control panel of your hosting account.
Step 3: Locate the SSL/TLS Section
Within the cPanel, look for the SSL/TLS section. This is where you’ll find the tools to manage your SSL certificates.
Step 4: Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)
Before you can install the SSL certificate, you’ll need to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR). This request contains information about your website and is used to create a unique SSL certificate for your domain. In the SSL/TLS section of cPanel, click on the “Generate, view, upload, or delete SSL certificates” option.
Step 5: Install Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificate
In the SSL/TLS section, locate the Let’s Encrypt option and click on it. You’ll be prompted to select the domain for which you want to install the SSL certificate. Choose the domain from the dropdown menu and click on the “Issue” button.
Step 6: Configure SSL Settings
Once the SSL certificate has been issued, you’ll need to configure the SSL settings for your domain. In the SSL/TLS section of cPanel, click on the “Manage SSL sites” option. Select the domain for which you installed the SSL certificate and choose the certificate from the dropdown menu. Click on the “Install Certificate” button to apply the SSL certificate to your domain.
