Nginx Install SSL Certificate Ubuntu

What is Nginx?

Nginx is a free, open-source web server that is used for powering websites. It is popular for its speed, scalability, and stability, and is considered one of the most reliable web servers in the market. Nginx can be installed on many different operating systems, including Ubuntu. It is used to host static web pages, serve dynamic content (such as application pages), and can even be used as a network accelerator. Nginx is often used as a reverse proxy server, typically used to balance the load of an application or website by forwarding incoming traffic to multiple servers.

What is an SSL Certificate?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a technology used to secure data transmissions over the internet. It works by creating an encrypted connection between the web server and the user’s web browser. SSL is the most common security protocol used in the market, and is what ensures the connection you are making to the website is secure from snooping, tampering, and interference. An SSL Certificate is used to verify the authenticity of a web server, and to secure the data transmitted between the server and the client. When a website has an SSL Certificate installed, users can be sure that any data they submit is kept private.

What is a Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution that is used by developers and system administrators to host websites, applications and other services. It provides stability and reliability, and is used widely in production environments. Ubuntu comes with a wide range of software packages and tools that can be used for building, managing and scaling applications. It also provides system administrators with great control over their server environment.

How to Install an SSL Certificate on Nginx in Ubuntu?

Installing an SSL Certificate on Nginx in Ubuntu is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. The following guides you through the steps needed to install an SSL Certificate on your Nginx web server in Ubuntu.

Step 1: Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

The first step in the process is to generate a Certificate Signing Request, also known as a CSR. This is a request to a CA (Certificate Authority) to generate a unique SSL Certificate for your website. To generate a CSR, you will need to run the following command:

openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout example.com.key -out example.com.csr

The above command will generate a private key and CSR that you will need to submit to the CA when requesting an SSL Certificate. The “example.com.key” file will contain the private key, and the “example.com.csr” will contain the CSR.

Step 2: Obtain an SSL Certificate from a Certificate Authority

Once you have generated the CSR and private key, you need to submit the CSR to a Certificate Authority (CA) in order to obtain an SSL Certificate. Depending on the type of SSL Certificate you are requesting, the process may take a few days. Once the CA has validated your request, they will issue you a unique SSL Certificate that you can use on your web server.

Step 3: Install the SSL Certificate on Your Nginx Web Server

Now that you have obtained your SSL Certificate, you need to install it on your Nginx web server in order to begin using it. To do this, you will first need to copy the SSL Certificate and private key to the Nginx configuration folder. You can do this with the following command:

sudo cp example.com.crt /etc/ssl/nginx/

sudo cp example.com.key /etc/ssl/nginx/

Once the files have been copied to the correct folder, you will need to edit the Nginx configuration file to enable the SSL Certificate. This can be done with the following command:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default

In the file, locate the line that reads “listen 80;” and replace it with the following:

listen 443 ssl;



ssl_certificate /etc/ssl/nginx/example.com.crt;

ssl_certificate_key /etc/ssl/nginx/example.com.key;

Save the file and exit. The SSL Certificate is now installed on your Nginx web server.

Step 4: Verify the SSL Certificate is Working

Once the SSL Certificate is installed on your Nginx web server, you need to verify that it is working properly. To do this, you can use a service such as SSL Labs to check the SSL configuration of your website. If everything is setup correctly, you will see a green “lock” icon in the address bar of your web browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL Certificate is a digital certificate used to secure data transmissions across the internet and verify the identity of a web server. It is the most common security technology used in the market today.

Q2 How do I generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)?

You can generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) by running the following command:

openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout example.com.key -out example.com.csr

Q3 How do I install an SSL Certificate on my Nginx web server?

Installing an SSL Certificate on your Nginx web server is a simple process. You will first need to generate a CSR, then purchase and obtain an SSL Certificate from a Certificate Authority. Once you have the SSL Certificate, you will need to copy it and the private key to the Nginx configuration folder and edit the Nginx configuration file.

Conclusion

Installing an SSL Certificate on your Nginx web server in Ubuntu is a simple process if you follow the steps outlined in this article. After you have followed the steps and verified that the SSL Certificate is working properly, your website will be secure and your visitors can be assured their data is secure.

Thank you for reading this article. Please read our other articles for more information about Nginx and other web technologies.