While running any online business or having websites, SSL certificate is utmost necessary for getting the confidence of users and customers. The SSL encrypts all types of information on the website. Have you ever thought about what you would do if you had more than one website or domains? How can you transfer the SSL certificate when you transfer your domain from one server to another? Or you have to buy SSL certificates for all your domains. All the answers lie in this article. In the past, you were bound to get certificates for each of your domains. Nowadays the trend has changed. Now you can run secured multiple domains under one SSL certificate.
How to Secure Multiple Domains?
You cannot simply transfer your SSL certificate from one domain to another with the same server. In this case, the SSL certificate doesn’t work and you have to make a request for issuing another certificate. There are three options of certificate for multiple domains, in which you can select one, in making your multiple domain secure by SSL certificate. The selection depends upon the situation of your work and whether you are going to add more domains in near future or not. These three options are:
- The Multi-Domain/SAN certificate
- Wild card certificate
- UCC certificate
The Multi-Domain/SAN Certificate
SAN stands for subject alternative certificate. By using this certificate you can attach more than one domain name to your certificate. The host or domain names can be IP address, URL or DNS. When such a website is accessed which has a multi-domain name certificate then the browser checks the certificate by comparing the URL name with the SAN name. If the name on certificate and SAN is same then secure connection is made.
Wild Card Certificate
The wildcard SSL certificate works differently as compared to the other two certificates as it secures multiple subdomains only. In this type, if you purchase the wildcard SSL certificate for one domain, it automatically secures another subdomain. So it means that for securing multiple domains and unlimited subdomains, wildcard SSL certificates should be used in combination with SAN certificates.
Unified Communication Certificate
It also works for 100 of multiple domains or subdomains by securing them. It works by using the microsoft exchange or office communication for running multiple websites or domains securely.
Conclusion
So the SSL certificate now transfers from one domain to another which saves us from its cost on repurchasing. The selection of the right certificate for yourself according to your working environment is a key factor in this regard. If you are going to generate multiple domains or subdomains, select the certificate according to it. You have given three options for this purpose to select the suitable certificate for securing your multiple domain websites.