Installing a self-signed SSL certificate

A self‑signed SSL certificate is an SSL certificate you generate yourself rather than purchasing from a Certificate Authority (CA). While it provides encryption, browsers will not automatically trust it, and visitors may see warnings. Self‑signed certificates are best used for testing, staging, or internal projects.

Why Use a Self‑Signed SSL?

• Encrypts traffic between server and client.
• Useful for development or internal environments.
• No cost compared to CA‑issued certificates.

⚠️ Not recommended for production websites, as browsers will display “Not Secure” warnings.

Steps to Install a Self‑Signed SSL Certificate

1. Generate the Certificate

1. Log in to WHM.

2. In the search box, type SSL.

3. Click Generate an SSL Certificate and Signing Request.

4. Fill in the required details:

   • Domain name
   • Company name and location
   • Email address

5. Select Self‑Signed instead of submitting to a CA.

6. WHM will generate:

   • Private Key

   • Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

   • Self‑Signed Certificate

2. Install the Certificate

1. In WHM, search for Install an SSL Certificate on a Domain.
2. Enter the domain name.
3. Paste the Certificate, Private Key, and (optional) CA Bundle.
4. Click Install. The certificate is now active for that domain.

3. Verify Installation

• Visit your site using https://.
• You’ll see a browser warning (since the certificate is self‑signed).
• Confirm that the connection is encrypted despite the warning.

Note

• Self‑signed certificates are not trusted by browsers or visitors.
• For public websites, always use a CA‑issued SSL certificate.
• Self‑signed SSLs are ideal for testing environments or internal tools.