How to Install Wildcard SSL Certificate on IIS7, IIS8 and IIS10?

The process of configuring a Wildcard SSL Certificate on a web server can be intricate and this guide provides clear steps to run through when setting up your Wildcard SSL Certificate on IIS 7, IIS 8, and IIS 10 in order to secure your subdomains.

This tutorial is more detailed than others, as it describes the step-by-step process, from the receipt of the certificate to the final setup and troubleshooting.

If you follow these steps, you will deepen the security and reliability of the web applications.

Step 1: Obtain the Wildcard SSL Certificate

First, find a reliable Certificate Authority (CA) to purchase your Wildcard SSL certificate. Some of the most well-known SSL Providers are DigiCert, Comodo (Sectigo), Certera, and RapidSSL.

To get a Wildcard SSL certificate, there is a requirement to generate a CSR for the Wildcard SSL certificate. This is the process of offering the identity that belongs to your server and the encryption.

Step 2: Generating a CSR using IIS Manager:

1. Open IIS Manager: You can open the IIS Manager via the command ‘inetmgr‘ which you enter in the Run box – this can be done via the Win + R key combination.

2. Navigate to Server Certificates: Under the Connections pane, locate the server name that we are working on and in the Feature View, double-click the Server Certificates.

3. Create Certificate Request: Finally, to proceed, refer to the Actions pane and click on Create Certificate Requests.

4. Enter Distinguished Name Properties: The student should provide the following information:

– Common Name: Your domain name with a wildcard (e.g. *. yourdomain.com) can also be used to create and host multiple subdomains through the same PLESK administration panel. (e.g. `*. yourdomain. com`).

– Organization: Your company’s legal name, address, date of formation, and email address.

– Organizational Unit: Your department (for example, Human Resources, Sales, etc.) should be the centerpiece of your flyer and the remainder of your content should be customized to support it. g. , IT).

– City/Locality: The physical location of your organization as registered with the governing body.

– State/Province: The name of the. state or province in which your organization has been registered.

– Country/Region: Your country’s two-letter code (e. g. , US for the United States)

5. Set Cryptographic Properties: Select the CSP and set the key size to 2048 bits (this is the industry standard for a single SSL certificate).

6. Save the CSR: Give the name of the CSR file and click the OK option, then save it before clicking the finish button.

As a result of the CSR generation process, there is a configuration file that should be submitted to a CA to purchase your Wildcard SSL certificate.

Also Read: How to Generate CSR on Microsoft IIS Web Server?

The CSR should be submitted to the CA

1. Visit the CA’s Website: Navigate to the website of CA, and using the provided guidelines, embark on buying a wildcard SSL certificate.

2. Submit the CSR: One of the requirements of the purchase stage is to upload the CSR file created for the IIS.

3. Complete Validation: Use instructions that the CA provides you to accomplish the domain validation, which involves Email confirmation, Domain ownership verification, or File validation.

Receive the Certificate Files

In any case, after successful validation, you will receive your Wildcard SSL certificate from the CA. You will receive:

– Domain Certificate: There is a `. </p>crt` or `. cer` file.

– CA Bundle (Intermediate Certificates): A file that has intermediate certificates which are needed for secure communication between hosts.

– Installation Instructions: Some of these are as follows From the CA specifically the following guidelines are worth noting.

Step 3: Install the SSL Certificate on IIS

Import the Certificate

1. Open IIS Manager: Click on the icon at the bottom of the windows to access IIS Manager.

2. Navigate to Server Certificates: First, Log into the Server Management and go to the Connections pane, double-click the Server name, and select the Server Certificate.

3. Complete Certificate Request: Expand the Certificates folder, highlight the certificate corresponding to the user account used to request the certificate, and then click the Complete Certificate Request link.

4. Import the Certificate:

– File containing the certificate authority’s response: Go to the folder where the `. crt` or `. data set, which has been generated by the CA ‘s cer` file.

– Friendly name: If you want more than one entity, provide a friendly name so that it can easily be recognized always (e.g. `Wildcard Certificate`).

– Select a certificate store for the new certificate: Select `Private’.

5. Finish the Import: Click OK. The certificate will then be incorporated into the store of certificates that are affiliated to the server.

Bind SSL Certificate Website

1. Open IIS Manager: Ensure you see the IIS Manager opened.

2. Select Your Site: In the Connections section, click the Sites folder and, in the list of sites available, choose the site that you wish to protect.

3. Add HTTPS Binding:

– Examples of procedures on how to remove TDU include Click Start and then click All Programs, Click on Accessories, then click on Command Prompt In the Actions pane, click Bindings.

– Select Site Bindings, right-click it, and choose Add from the options displayed in the menu bar on the screen displaying site bindings.

– In the Add Site Binding window:-

– Type: Select `https`.
– IP address: Select the appropriate IP address if you need to, or click `All Unassigned`.
– Port: Type in `443` (the pre-set port for the HTTPS).
– SSL certificate: Under this section, you will find a dropdown list of Wildcard SSL certificates that is easy to navigate.

4. Apply the Binding: After highlighting, Click on the OK & then close the Site Bindings window.

Step 4: Configure the SSL Settings.

Require SSL

1. Open IIS Manager: Although you can open IIS Manager from the command line by typing in the command “inetmgr” this will open the IIS Manager for you to view steps.

2. Select Your Site: To do this, start with the Connections pane, where you must select the site to create a new table.

3. Enable SSL: Right-click on the Site and select More Options -> Features view -> SSL Settings.

4. Require SSL: At times, you may need to ensure that you’re making a secure connection, by checking the Require SSL checkbox.

5. Apply Settings: The payment options should be listed in the Details pane as shown below After you have configured the options, click Apply in the Actions pane.

Implement HTTP to HTTPS redirection

1. Open IIS Manager: In a real-world scenario ensure that one is logged into the server where the IIS is installed and the IIS Manager is launched.

2. Select Your Site: To do this, choose your site from the Connections pane.

3. Add URL Rewrite Rule:

– Right-click the ‘URL Rewrite’ and click on ‘Activate’ on the pop-up up click on ‘OK’.

– In the Actions pane, locate the button that says Add Rule(s) and click on it.

– In the given toolbar, select the Blank rule and click on OK.

4. Configure the Rule:

– Name: Type in a name for the rule. The name must be entered to create unique rules for each configured firewall element.

– Match URL:

– Requested URL: Choose `Matches the Pattern’.

– Using: Here, select `Regular Expressions`.

– Pattern: Enter `$ `here

– Conditions: Simple text to click on Add hyperlink: Simple text to indicate the creation of:

– Condition input: Click on `{HTTPS}`.

– Check if input string**: The menu option should be selected as `Matches the Pattern`.

– Pattern: Enter `^OFF$`.

– Action:

– Action type: Click `Redirect`.

– Redirect URL: Replace `{HTTP_HOST}` with the name of your website, for example, megamovies1. net. The second placeholder `{REQUEST_URI}` should contain the path of the webpage that you are using to access this page, for instance, /forum/entertainments/.

– Redirect type: Choose ‘Permanent (301)’.

5. Apply the Rule: This industry standard will also help arrive at the correct answer congruent to the one achieved by applying successfully to Click Apply.

Step 5: Configure Advanced SSL Settings

This industry standard will also help arrive at the correct answer congruent with a successful Click Apply result.

Suppose the client’s requirements specify more advanced SSL settings. In that case, it is possible to produce a broader configuration in which nearly every setting will be included. However, this is not generally recommended as it may cause more difficulties than it solves.

It adds solid protocols and ciphers that allow the client application to negotiate a set of parameters, including authorization with the server application.

For enhanced server security, you might have to manipulate the SSL/TLS protocols and ciphers. This involves editing the registry and should be done carefully.

This means that they try to edit the registers, which must also be done carefully.

1. Open Registry Editor:

– Type Windows key + R to open the Run window, type in regedit, and press ok.

2. Navigate to Security Settings:

– Go to `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols`.

3. Disable SSL 2. 0 and SSL 3. 0:

– Go to `Protocols`, right-click it and choose New > Key, and make sure that the name of this new key is `SSL 2. 0`.

– Under `SSL 2. 0`, the following are the details of the steps: Initially, create a new key labeled `Server`.

– In `Server`, create a new `DWORD (32-bit) Value` for `Enabled` and set it to value `0`.

Continue performing these steps for `SSL 3. 0`.

4. Enable TLS 1. 2:

– Under protocols, create a new name as `TLS 1. 2`.

– Under `TLS 1. 2`, change the keys to a new name and give the newly created key the names `Client` and `Server`.

– On both `Client` and `Server`, navigate to `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\KB971825\Parameters` which should be empty once you open the folder, and under that, you are to have the following New: `DWORD (32-bit) Value` you should name this value `Enabled“` and set its value to `1`.

5. Restart the Server: So, let’s type ‘server reset’ to restart the server so that the changes can be implemented immediately.

Checklist for Testing SSL Configuration

Verify SSL Installation

1. Use a Web Browser: Start your favorite web browser and type in the address bar ‘https://yourdomain. com`.

2. Check for Errors: Check the site is compatible with SSL by ensuring that it loads without any SSL-related error message.

3. Use Online Tools: SSH into the machines in the DMZ control and command respectively, and check that the installation was successful, and properly configured using tools like SSL Checker).

Check Certificate Details

1. View Certificate in Browser: Lower the list organized by the sites’ addresses down to the one you need Click the padlock icon shown in the top right corner of the browser’s address bar.

2. Verify Certificate Information: Ensure the certificate is issued to `*`.

Conclusion

Deploy your wildcard SSL certificate on your IIS 7, 8, and 10 easily through Certera. That is why our guide and support are exhaustive, allowing you to avoid the many complications and hassles that always accompany setup.

How to Install a Wildcard SSL Certificate on IIS 7,IIS 8 & IIS 10?