on the SSL certificate installation

Gators all across!

A newbie Q: I am on a shared IP package. What does paying
10 bucks for installing the self-generated SSL certificate
buy me?

a) I understand SSL is self-signed; so will generate a certificate
error in the browser that it is untrusted (meaning companies like
VeriSign havent vouched) until accepted and installed as a trusted
one

b) Can the mail be accessed as https://mail.mydomainname.com

instead of https://mydomainname.com:2096 ?

At this point I am only using mailservice; no websites on my
domainname.

Let me know your thoughts..

Thanks
DMZ

[willow1872]

I would buy the certificate which comes with free installation directly from HG, there shouldn't be any 'untrusted' messages come up.

Cant help with #2 im afraid.

[gtgeorge]

You would find no use in a ssl certificate as it would not apply outside of your website. Also a SSL requires a dedicated ip. The shared servers already have a shared ssl available for use with access to your cpanel etc.

[slapshotw]

Originally Posted by dmz

a) I understand SSL is self-signed; so will generate a certificate error in the browser that it is untrusted (meaning companies likeVeriSign havent vouched) until accepted and installed as a trusted
one

Just to clear things up: all hostgator servers have a shared self-signed SSL certificate you're free to use. It's perfectly secure, but untrusted so will generate an error. There's no cost to use it.

If you pay hostgator to install a certificate you bought yourself, then hopefully you bought from a generally trusted vendor (many people here buy RapidSSL certificates because they can generally be purchased for less than $15/year) and so no error will be made.

b) Can the mail be accessed as https://mail.mydomainname.com

instead of https://mydomainname.com:2096 ?

Yes, if you install your own email program at that subdomain (or do a redirect, but then people will still end up with :2096). Many people here (myself included) just install their own copy of squirrelmail or something else and run it from any subdomain/folder they'd like.

Remember that an SSL certificate purchased for www.mydomainname.com will generate an error if you try to use it on mail.mydomainname.com. Mail.mydomainname.com needs its own certificate. I get around this by telling people to go to mail.mydomain.com, and having it redirect to https://www.mydomain.com/email/, where I have my real install.

And finally, as was said above, getting a certificate will require you to get a dedicated IP address, which is an extra $2/month.

-Matt

Thanks a bunch to you all!!

"Many people here (myself included) just install their own copy of squirrelmail or something else and run it from any subdomain/folder they'd like."

Can someone pls post step-by-step installation instrs on how to
install own copy of SM or Horde from cPanel?

I want to get familiar and dabble a bit before I am for some
serious business on my site..

Thanks once again.
DMZ

[Sam]

Originally Posted by dmz

Can someone pls post step-by-step installation instrs on how to
install own copy of SM or Horde from cPanel?

There is not installer within cPanel.. If you have a look on the websites of the webmail clients, there will be install inscructions

[jgeoff]

Originally Posted by slapshotw

(many people here buy RapidSSL certificates because they can generally be purchased for less than $15/year) and so no error will be made.

Hi Matt,

Is this accurate? Because when I go to rapidssl.com it starts at $69. I'm also curious because it says they're for low volume/cost use, and "professional" sites should go with GeoTrust ($249 and up)...

Anyone have problems using RapidSSL for higher volume/higher ticketed items than "50 sales/week, $50 or less"?

Thanks!

JG

[quietFinn]

Originally Posted by jgeoff

Is this accurate? Because when I go to rapidssl.com it starts at $69.

Go to www.enom.com and you get it for 19.95, and if you have Enom reseller account you get it even cheaper.

Originally Posted by jgeoff

I'm also curious because it says they're for low volume/cost use, and "professional" sites should go with GeoTrust ($249 and up)...

Of course they say that, they want to sell the expensive certificates, not the cheap ones

[slapshotw]

Originally Posted by jgeoff

Anyone have problems using RapidSSL for higher volume/higher ticketed items than "50 sales/week, $50 or less"?

I use RapidSSL on all my sites with no problems, doing quite a bit of volume.

They can be found for about $13/year at Servertastic.com.

And I second what quietFinn said about the GeoTrust ones.

[jgeoff]

Excellent - thanks!

[esl]

I believe eNom also has them for $10 with a domain reseller account.