What Is AutoSSL vs Regular SSL?

Hosted.com® offers AutoSSL, a feature designed to simplify SSL management by automatically issuing and renewing SSL certificates for your domains. Unlike traditional SSL certificates, which require manual generation, validation, installation, and renewal, AutoSSL handles these steps seamlessly, ensuring your website is consistently protected without administrative intervention.

AutoSSL primarily issues Domain Validated (DV) certificates, which encrypt website traffic and authenticate domain ownership. Regular SSL certificates, including Organization Validated (OV) and Extended Validation (EV), may provide additional verification of business identity, but require manual configuration.

AutoSSL is ideal for most standard websites and small businesses that need hassle-free protection. With AutoSSL, Hosted.com® customers can maintain a secure, professional website while minimizing the technical burden of SSL management.

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL/TLS Certificate is a digital accreditation that authenticates websites and encrypts data transmitted between a client and a server, making it virtually impossible for hackers to intercept and read the information.

How to Install an SSL Certificate

1. You can purchase an SSL certificate directly from Hosted.com® or claim a free one included with certain Web Hosting or WordPress Hosting plans.
2. Create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) from your web server. This file includes details about your domain and organization, as well as your private and public keys.
3. Provide the CSR to the Certificate Authority (CA) you’re using. Complete the required Domain Control Validation (DCV). Once verified, the CA will issue your SSL certificate files.
4. In most cases, Hosted.com® will automatically handle the installation of certificates purchased through us. If you’re using a third-party certificate, you can upload the files manually in cPanel’s SSL/TLS Manager.
5. Ensure your server settings are updated to point to the new SSL certificate. This may involve updating virtual hosts and security configurations.
6. Test your SSL certificate using tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test or your browser to confirm it’s installed correctly.

Update your site’s settings and internal links to load all resources over HTTPS. This ensures a secure browsing experience for your visitors.

Additional Information

• Automatic Renewal: AutoSSL automatically renews certificates before expiration, preventing security warnings or downtime.
• Ease of Use: Hosted.com® integrates AutoSSL directly into cPanel and other platforms, making SSL deployment effortless.
• Cost Efficiency: AutoSSL reduces administrative overhead and eliminates recurring renewal fees.
• Security Standards: AutoSSL certificates meet industry-standard encryption requirements, including 256-bit encryption for sensitive data protection.
• Scalability: AutoSSL is suitable for multiple domains and subdomains, streamlining management for growing businesses.
• Limitations: AutoSSL certificates are DV only; businesses requiring higher verification levels should consider OV or EV certificates for additional trust indicators.

Login to Hosted.com® Account

1. Go to the Hosted.com® website Account Login page.

2. Enter your Email and Password and click the Sign In button.

3. You will see the Hosted.com® Dashboard, displaying the Manage Account menu on the left and your Account Information, Account Overview and Open Support Tickets on the right.

Login to cPanel from your Hosted.com® Dashboard

4. Click on Manage Services to view the sub-dropdown menu and select the hosting package for the domain you want to work with – in our example we are using WordPress Hosting.

5. Click the Manage button to the right of the domain name you want to access.

6. The display will now show Product Information, Quick Manage, Resource Usage and Site Statistics for that domain name.

7. Under Product Information, scroll down to Control Panel, which will display cPanel to the right, and click on the Login button.

8. The cPanel Dashboard will now be displayed.