What Is SSL? A Guide to Activating Free SSL for Your Website

If your website is still running on HTTP instead of HTTPS, you are exposing your visitors to unnecessary security risks and losing credibility in the eyes of search engines. SSL is essential for encrypting data, building user trust, and meeting modern web standards. Many website owners believe that SSL requires a paid certificate or advanced technical expertise to install, but this is no longer the case. 

In this article, we will explore what SSL is and how to activate free SSL for your website without disrupting its normal operation.

What is SSL?Link to heading

SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer, is a security protocol designed to protect data transmitted over the internet by encrypting it during communication. It was originally created by Netscape in 1995 to provide confidentiality, verify the identity of websites, and ensure that data sent between users and servers cannot be altered in transit. Although SSL itself is no longer used in its original form, it laid the foundation for TLS, the modern encryption standard that now secures online communications.

When a website uses SSL or its successor TLS, it operates over HTTPS rather than HTTP. This change indicates that the connection between the visitor’s browser and the website is encrypted, helping prevent unauthorized access, data interception, and tampering during data transmission.

>>> Learn more: What is HTTP/3?

How does SSL work?Link to heading

To ensure a high level of privacy, SSL protects information sent over the internet by encrypting it. As a result, even if an attacker attempts to intercept the data while it is being transmitted, the information will appear as an unreadable stream of random characters that cannot be realistically decoded. This encryption prevents unauthorized parties from understanding or misusing sensitive data.

SSL also begins a verification process known as a handshake between the two systems that are communicating. During this process, both sides confirm their identities, ensuring that the connection is established only between legitimate and trusted parties and not with an impostor or malicious intermediary.

In addition, SSL applies digital signatures to the transmitted data to maintain data integrity. This allows the receiving system to confirm that the information has not been altered, corrupted, or manipulated while traveling across the network before it reaches its final destination.

Over time, SSL has gone through multiple versions, with each update strengthening its security capabilities. In 1999, SSL evolved into a more advanced and secure protocol known as TLS, which remains the standard used for encrypted web communication today.

The importance of SSLLink to heading

In the early days of the web, information was transmitted in plain text, meaning that anyone who managed to intercept the data could read it without difficulty. For instance, when a customer visited an online shopping site, completed a purchase, and entered their credit card details, that sensitive information traveled across the Internet fully exposed. 

If intercepted, the data could be viewed, copied, or misused by unauthorized parties without the user ever knowing.

SSL was developed to address this serious security weakness and to safeguard user privacy online. By encrypting all data exchanged between a user’s browser and a web server, SSL transforms readable information into an encoded format that appears as meaningless characters to outsiders. 

Even if the data is intercepted during transmission, it cannot be understood or exploited. As a result, sensitive details such as credit card numbers remain protected and are only accessible to the legitimate website where the information was submitted.

Beyond encryption, SSL also helps defend against specific types of cyber attacks. It verifies the identity of web servers, which is critical because attackers often create fake websites designed to impersonate legitimate ones and steal user information. SSL also ensures that data cannot be altered while traveling between the user and the server, functioning like a protective seal that reveals any attempt at interference. 

Together, these protections make online communication significantly safer and more trustworthy.

What is an SSL certificate?Link to heading

SSL can only be used on a website when that site has a valid SSL certificate, which is technically known as a TLS certificate today. This certificate acts like a digital identification card, confirming that a website is genuine and can be trusted. 

It proves that the server users are connecting to is truly the owner of the domain and not an impersonator. SSL certificates are installed on the website’s or application’s server, where they are presented to visitors’ browsers during each secure connection.

One of the most critical elements inside an SSL certificate is the website’s public key. This public key is essential for both encryption and identity verification. When a user visits the site, their browser reads the public key and uses it to create secure encryption keys that protect the data exchanged with the server. At the same time, the server holds a private key that remains confidential and is never shared. This private key is used to decrypt information that was encrypted using the public key, ensuring that only the intended server can read the data.

SSL certificates are issued and validated by trusted third parties known as certificate authorities (CAs). These organizations verify the identity of a website owner before granting a certificate, helping browsers determine whether a site should be trusted.

How to enable free SSL for a WordPress websiteLink to heading

Method 1 - Enable Free SSL with CloudflareLink to heading

Step 1: Add your website to Cloudflare

If you don't have a Cloudflare account yet, sign up at cloudflare.com.

1. Add Site: Enter your domain name (e.g., your-domain.com) and click Add site.
2. Select Plan: Choose the Free plan and click Continue.
3. DNS Scan: Cloudflare will scan your current DNS records. Check to ensure the important records (like the A record pointing to your hosting IP) are correct. Click Continue.

Step 2: Point Nameservers to Cloudflare

This step authorizes Cloudflare to manage your traffic.

1. Cloudflare will provide you with two Nameservers.
2. Log in to your Domain Registrar (where you bought your domain).
3. Find the Nameserver (DNS Server) settings and replace your old Nameservers with the two new ones provided by Cloudflare.
4. Go back to Cloudflare and click Check nameservers. Note: DNS propagation can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours, but it is usually quite fast. You will receive an email when it is complete.

Step 3: Configure SSL/TLS Modes

Once your domain is active on Cloudflare (indicated by a green checkmark), go to the SSL/TLS tab in the left menu. In the Overview section, select the appropriate encryption mode:

• Flexible:
  • Choose this if: Your hosting server DOES NOT have an SSL certificate installed.
  • Mechanism: User <=> Cloudflare (Secure), Cloudflare <=> Hosting (Not Secure).
• Full:
  • Choose this if: Your hosting server HAS an SSL certificate (even a Self-signed one).
  • Mechanism: End-to-end encryption.
• Full (Strict):
  • Choose this if: Your hosting server has a valid SSL certificate from a trusted CA (like Let's Encrypt). This is the most secure mode.

Step 4: Force HTTPS

To ensure Google indexes the HTTPS version and users always see the green padlock:

1. Go to SSL/TLS => Edge Certificates.
2. Find the setting Always Use HTTPS.
3. Toggle the switch to On.

Step 5: Final Check

• Clear your browser cache or open an Incognito/Private window.
• Visit your website.
• If you see the padlock, click on it. If the certificate says "Verified by: Cloudflare, Inc.", you have succeeded.

Method 2 - Enable Free SSL via Hosting ProviderLink to heading

Case A: cPanel Interface

1. Log in to cPanel: Access your hosting administration URL (usually domain.com:2083 or the link provided in your welcome email).
2. Find the SSL Section:
   • In the search bar, type "SSL".
   • Select SSL/TLS Status. (Note: Choose this specific option, not just "SSL/TLS", which is often used for manual certificate uploads).
3. Select Domains:
   • You will see a list of domains and subdomains.
   • Check the box to the left of the domains you want to secure (you should usually select both domain.com and www.domain.com).
4. Run AutoSSL:
   • Click the blue Run AutoSSL button (usually located at the top right or top left). This process takes about 1 - 5 minutes. The system is connecting to the Let's Encrypt or Sectigo server to verify your domain.
5. Completion: When the page reloads and you see the padlocks turn green (AutoSSL Domain Validated), you have succeeded.

Case B: DirectAdmin Interface

1. Log in to DirectAdmin: Log in to your account.
2. Find the SSL Section:
   • Under "Account Manager" (or "Advanced Features"), find and click on SSL Certificates.
3. Configure Let's Encrypt:
   • Select the option: "Free & automatic certificate from Let's Encrypt" (or a similar line mentioning Let's Encrypt).
   • In the list below, make sure to check:
     • domain.com
     • www.domain.com
     • (Uncheck unused subdomains like mail, ftp to avoid verification errors).
4. Save: Click Save.
5. Completion: If successful, you will receive a message saying "Certificate for domain.com has been created successfully!".

Method 3 - Enable Free SSL via W7SFWLink to heading

In addition to the methods above, WordPress users can enable free SSL by using W7SFW, a security firewall designed specifically for WordPress. Once W7SFW is activated, the system automatically enables HTTPS/SSL connections, ensuring that data is encrypted without requiring complex configuration, source code modifications, or manual SSL certificate installation.

What sets this approach apart is that SSL is directly integrated with access control and browser authentication mechanisms. As a result, it not only encrypts data in transit but also adds an extra proactive layer of protection against malicious access. This solution is especially suitable for non-technical users who want their websites to be both SSL-enabled and highly secure, while remaining stable and easy to manage.

>>> Don’t let complicated SSL installation delay the protection of your website. Simply activate W7SFW, and SSL will be enabled instantly!

How to check whether SSL is working properlyLink to heading

To check whether SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) has been installed correctly and is operating reliably, you can use the following methods:

Visual check via browserLink to heading

This is the most basic method to confirm an HTTPS connection.

• The Lock Icon: Check the address bar. If you see a closed lock icon (usually grey or green), the connection is encrypted.
• Certificate Details: Click the lock icon => Select Connection is secure => Certificate is valid. Here, you can verify the expiration date and the Issuing Authority (CA).
• Warnings: If the browser displays "Not Secure" or a red slash over the lock, SSL is either not active or configured incorrectly.

Online diagnostic toolsLink to heading

These tools provide detailed reports on encryption strength, browser compatibility, and potential configuration errors.

• Qualys SSL Labs (SSL Server Test): The industry standard for deep analysis. It grades your server configuration from A+ to F. Usage: Enter your domain and wait for the scan to complete.
• SSL Shopper: Great for quickly checking if the certificate chain is complete and if the certificate matches the domain name.
• Why No Padlock: extremely useful if you have installed SSL but don't see the lock icon. It specifically detects Mixed Content errors (when an HTTPS page loads HTTP resources).

Command Line InterfaceLink to heading

If you manage a server or want a quick check without a browser (useful for debugging), use Terminal or CMD:

• Using cURL: Run the following command to check the header response: curl -Iv https://your-domain.com. If successful, you will see SSL connection using TLS... and a 200 OK status code (or 301/302 for redirects).
• Using OpenSSL: To view certificate details and expiration dates directly: openssl s_client -connect your-domain.com:443

ConclusionLink to heading

Understanding what SSL is and how to activate free SSL for your website allows you to proactively protect data, reduce security risks, and enhance the user experience. Whether you choose free SSL from Cloudflare, your hosting provider, or a simpler and more effective solution like W7SFW, switching to HTTPS has now become easier and safer than ever before.

Do not let your website be labeled as “Not Secure.” Implement SSL today to strengthen brand credibility, optimize SEO performance, and build complete trust with your visitors.