Wildcard SSL Certificate

A Wildcard SSL Certificate is the cheapest way to protect unlimited subdomains along with the main domain for less.

Wildcard SSL allows you to secure an unlimited number of subdomains on a single certificate. It’s a great solution for anyone who hosts or manages multiple sites or pages that exist on the same domain. Wildcard certificates work the same way as a regular SSL Certificate with one major advantage of securing unlimited number of subdomains. A wildcard SSL Certificate can support a single level of subdomain and if you wish to add wildcard on multiple domains, you need to go for multi domain wildcard or UCC SSL.

Who is the Good Vendor of Wildcard SSL?

A Wildcard SSL Certificate save cost and time. Secure your website and all its subdomains at cheapest price.

There is a lot of advice out there for wildcard vendors but few vendors can do anything for you beyond the bare minimum your contract ensures and maintain the best relationship possible. Price is secondary consideration which satisfy a customer.Here are best, trusted and wildcard providers –

What is Wildcard SSL Certificate?

A Wildcard SSL certificate is a type of SSL certificate that allows you to secure a main domain and an unlimited number of its subdomains with a single certificate. The term “wildcard” refers to the use of a wildcard character (*) in the domain name field, which acts as a placeholder for all possible subdomains.

For example, if you have a domain named “example.com” and you want to secure multiple subdomains like “blog.example.com,” “shop.example.com,” and “mail.example.com,” you can use a Wildcard SSL certificate for “*.example.com.” This certificate would cover all subdomains under “example.com.”

Need of Cheap Wildcard SSL Certificate

A Wildcard SSL certificate is particularly beneficial when you have a main domain and multiple subdomains that all need to be secured with SSL encryption. Here are some scenarios where the use of a Wildcard SSL certificate is advantageous:

1. Multiple Subdomains:

If you have several subdomains under a single domain (e.g., blog.example.com, shop.example.com, mail.example.com), a Wildcard SSL certificate simplifies the process of securing them all with a single certificate.

2. Cost Efficiency:

Purchasing individual SSL certificates for each subdomain can be cost-prohibitive. A Wildcard SSL certificate offers cost savings since it covers all subdomains under a domain.

3. Reduced Management Complexity:

Managing and renewing multiple certificates for different subdomains can be time-consuming. A Wildcard SSL certificate reduces management complexity by requiring only one certificate to cover all subdomains.

4. Consistent Security:

A Wildcard SSL certificate ensures a consistent level of security and encryption for all subdomains, maintaining a unified user experience across your website.

5. Scalability:

As your website expands with new subdomains, the Wildcard SSL certificate already in place covers these new additions without the need for additional purchases or installations.

6. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs):

If you use a CDN to serve content from different subdomains (e.g., cdn.example.com), a Wildcard SSL certificate simplifies securing the connections between your main domain and the CDN subdomains.

7. Subdomain-Based Services:

Websites offering different services through subdomains (e.g., app.example.com, api.example.com) can ensure the security of these services using a single Wildcard SSL certificate.

8. Intranet and Extranet:

If your organization uses subdomains for internal or external purposes (e.g., intranet.example.com, extranet.example.com), a Wildcard SSL certificate secures these without additional certificates.

9. Event or Campaign Landing Pages:

For temporary or seasonal subdomains related to events or campaigns, a Wildcard SSL certificate ensures their security without the need to purchase separate certificates.

10. Development and Testing Environments:

If you have various development or testing subdomains, a Wildcard SSL certificate secures these environments as well.

Working of Wildcard SSL Certificates

A single domain can be protected by the standard SSL certificate but a wildcard SSL certificate can protect unlimited sub-domains by a single-domain certificate. It is a public key certificate that helps to protect both, primary domain and sub-domains. For example – subdomains like login.domain.com, products.domain.com, blog.domain.com need to get protection so business owners at the initial level purchase wildcard SSL certificate with single-domain (primary) to provide encryption. After that at the next level protection of sub-domains come which can be done by using the primary domain.

Wildcard SSL certificates work by allowing you to secure a main domain and all of its subdomains with a single certificate, using a wildcard character (*) in the domain name field. Here’s how the process of Wildcard SSL certificate works:

1. Certificate Request:

You request a Wildcard SSL certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA) for your main domain (e.g., example.com) using the wildcard notation (*.example.com).

2. Validation Process:

The CA verifies your ownership of the main domain (example.com) through the usual domain validation methods, such as email verification or DNS record creation.

3. Certificate Issuance:

Once the CA verifies domain ownership, it issues a Wildcard SSL certificate with the common name in the format *.example.com.

4. Installation:

You install the Wildcard SSL certificate on your web server, just like you would with a regular SSL certificate. The installation process might involve generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) and uploading the certificate files to the server.

5. Secure Connections:

With the Wildcard SSL certificate in place, secure connections (HTTPS) can be established between the user’s browser and any subdomain under the main domain (e.g., blog.example.com, shop.example.com).

6. Encryption:

When a user accesses your website through any of the secured subdomains, the Wildcard SSL certificate encrypts the data exchanged between the user’s browser and the server.

7. Browser Display:

Modern web browsers display the padlock symbol and “HTTPS” in the address bar for each subdomain secured by the Wildcard SSL certificate.

8. Subdomain Coverage:

The Wildcard SSL certificate covers an unlimited number of immediate subdomains under the main domain. It does not cover subdomains of subdomains (e.g., sub.sub.example.com).

9. Renewal and Management:

The Wildcard SSL certificate requires periodic renewal, usually annually. Renewal involves similar steps to the initial purchase, including revalidating domain ownership.

10. Usage Scenarios:

The Wildcard SSL certificate is particularly useful for websites with various subdomains, such as e-commerce platforms, content management systems, and online services that operate on multiple subdomains.

Pros of Wildcard SSL Certificates

Cheap Wildcard SSL certificates offer several advantages for organizations that manage multiple subdomains under a single main domain. Here are some of the pros of using Wildcard SSL certificates:

1. Cost Efficiency:

One of the primary benefits of Wildcard SSL certificates is cost savings. Instead of purchasing individual SSL certificates for each subdomain, you can secure them all with a single Wildcard SSL certificate. This is particularly cost-effective for organizations with many subdomains.

2. Simplified Management:

Managing a large number of SSL certificates for various subdomains can be complex and time-consuming. With a Wildcard SSL certificate, you only need to manage and renew one certificate, streamlining administrative tasks.

3. Scalability:

As your website expands with new subdomains, the Wildcard SSL certificate already in place covers these new additions without the need for additional purchases or installations.

4. Consistent Security:

A Wildcard SSL certificate ensures a consistent level of security and encryption for all subdomains, maintaining a unified user experience and security posture across your website.

5. Ease of Implementation:

Installing a Wildcard SSL certificate is straightforward and similar to installing a regular SSL certificate. Once installed, it automatically covers all current and future subdomains.

6. Reduced Downtime:

When you need to secure a new subdomain, you can do so quickly without waiting for a new certificate to be issued. This can reduce downtime during the certificate issuance process.

7. Flexibility:

Wildcard SSL certificates offer flexibility as you create and manage subdomains. You don’t need to worry about purchasing and configuring new certificates each time you add a subdomain.

8. Improved User Trust:

Visitors to your website will see the padlock symbol and “HTTPS” in the address bar for all subdomains covered by the Wildcard SSL certificate, boosting their confidence in the security of your site.

9. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs):

If you use a CDN to serve content from various subdomains, a Wildcard SSL certificate secures the connections between your main domain and the CDN subdomains.

10. Development and Testing Environments:

Wildcard SSL certificates also cover subdomains used for development and testing, ensuring secure interactions during these phases.

11. Subdomain-Based Services:

Websites offering different services through subdomains (e.g., app.example.com, api.example.com) can ensure the security of these services using a single Wildcard SSL certificate.