Wildcard SSL certificate is desired SSL certificate for medium and large businesses that work on numerous subdomains. Many businesses, due to the expansion of business, require having multiple subdomains. Such subdomains generally fall under a hierarchy of the main domain, which needs strong encryption. Robust encryption keeps cyber thieves away from ongoing information between the client and the server. Here, we can think of a Wildcard SSL certificate.
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What is Wildcard SSL certificate?
Wildcard SSL certificate refers to an asterisk (*) and a simple DOT (.) that should come before the main domain, which opens the door of unlimited subdomains’ protection about a primary domain.
In wildcard SSL example, suppose you have *.yourdomainname.com where you can add below subdomains before youdomain.com like
- yourdomain.com
- yourodmain.com
- yourdomain.com
- yourdomain.com
You can add unlimited subdomains like mentioned above without needing of reissuance of a certificate. It is a cost-saving certificate that can sigh relief with simple certificate management.
Why Wildcard SSL Certificate Needed?
“Wildcard SSL certificate”- a word that is on high priority of a server admin if there are unlimited subdomains to be secured. Wildcard SSL seems not a perfect fit for a small organization, bloggers, forum posting websites, or business with a single domain. Of course, it is a cost-saving SSL certificate that allows all first levels of subdomains of a primary domain under a single umbrella. Purchasing a single SSL certificate for each subdomain can be a costly deal for a business. To overcome this situation, a company should think about a wildcard SSL certificate.
Key Benefits of a Wildcard SSL Certificate:
The reasons are many if you buy a wildcard SSL certificate, which would be beneficial to you in the long run. A few of them are mentioned below.
#1. Fast Issuance: Wildcard SSL comes with domain and organization validation that follows the validation process differently. Domain validation wildcard SSL can be issued within few minutes, while organization wildcard SSL can take up to three days in issuance. It depends upon the validation level you choose to go for a wildcard SSL certificate.
#2. Robust Encryption: All transactions done between the server and the client will have SHA-2- a modern encryption standard. Strong encryption can save data flowing between two ends and keeps cyber culprits away from the tunnel.
#3. Trusted Seal: Wildcard comes with a secured site seal placed on a website page to encourage visitors. Customers observe a site seal on the site, gets the confidence to deal with the website positively.
#4. Money Saver: Wildcard seems a boon for those website holders who wish to protect various subdomains pointing to the main domain. It frees you from worry about having a separate SSL certificate for each subdomain. It is a money save certificate that allows adding subdomains without requiring reissue of a certificate.
#5. Single Renewal: When you have a single SSL certificate that can secure unlimited subdomains, you can easily manage all subdomains and certificate renewal. There is no need to remember multiple renewal dates as a single wildcard is easy to renew with your SSL provider.
#6. Unlimited Server Licenses: You can install the same wildcard SSL certificate on multiple servers free of cost. You need to copy the private key to the desired server or create a CSR and reissue the current wildcard SSL certificate. There is no cost associated with the installation of a wildcard SSL certificate on another server.
#7. Free Reissuance: Most SSL providers offer free reissue with the purchase of a wildcard SSL certificate. If you lose a private key or want to transfer a subdomain to another server, you need a reissued certificate that is available free of cost with unlimited times.
#8. Security Indicators: Wildcard certificate enables HTTPS and a secured padlock in the address bar of a browser. Visitors, when they see a padlock gets assurance about the website’s reliability. Even one can check the details of a wildcard certificate in a browser to assure that the certificate is genuine, and the domain is secured with strong encryption.
What About Multi-Level Subdomains?
Multi-Level subdomains are called 2nd or 3rd level of subdomains which requires a Multi level subdomain wildcard certificate. If you want to secure a subdomain of a subdomain then, you need a multi wildcard SSL. A normal wildcard can secure the first level of a subdomain. Below are few examples of multi-level subdomains.
- server.domain.com
- blog.domain.com
- server.domain.com
- mail.server2.domain.com
Key benefits of a multi-domain wildcard SSL certificate
#1. SAN wildcard Support: Multi level subdomain wildcard certificate allows adding different levels of subdomains along with their primary domains. Many SSL providers 2-3 free domains with a certificate to save an extra penny. Moreover, you need to pay an additional amount for each SAN wildcard you add to the certificate.
#2. Add/Delete Domains: You can add wildcard domains in the current certificate during the certificate lifespan. In case any domain becomes obsolete, many SSL providers allow the removal of the domain from the certificate without any cost.
#3. Robust Encryption: Encryption keeps data secured between the client and the server, and multi domain wildcard SSL provides 256-bit standard encryption. Each byte of data will be protected with strong encryption that encodes and decodes data with a public and private key.
#4. Trust Seal: Multi level subdomain wildcard SSL offers a dynamic site seal that shows the organization’s details when a visitor clicks on it. It assures visitors and customers about the website’s authenticity. It comes at no cost with the purchase of a certificate.
#5. Unlimited Server Licenses: You can install multi domain wildcard on different servers with a single reissue of a certificate. Reissues are free and useful when you add a new wildcard domain in the certificate or switch the current server to another server.
#6. Multi Validation Support: Multi domain wildcard SSL certificate is available in domain validation and organization validation method. Domain validation requires no paperwork, and the certificate authority can issue a certificate within few minutes. On the other hand, the organization validation process requires a thorough examination of business-related documents and the confirmation of domain ownership.
#7. Less Missing Renewals: There are fewer chances of missing renewal as all wildcard domains can be covered under a single certificate. It is easy to remember a single date instead of multiple renewal dates. So, multi domain wildcard gives simplified certificate management along with a single renewal date.
Securing Multi-Level Subdomains with a Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL
As we discussed above, a multi-level subdomain wildcard could secure different subdomains levels with their primary domain in a single certificate. Below are few examples of domains that a multi domain wildcard certificate can cover.
- *.domain1.com
- domain1.com
- domain1.com
- domain1.com
- *.mail.blog.domain1.com
- *.developer.preview.domain.com
- *.plan1.preview.domain.com
- *.plan2.preview.domain.com
- *.plan3.preview.domain.com
- *.plan4.preview.domain.com
- *.dev.plan1.preview.domain.com
- *.dev.plan2.preview.domain.com
- *.dev.plan3.preview.domain.com
- *.dev.plan4.preview.domain.com
Wrapping Up
Besides multi domain wildcard, a regular wildcard can be a significant cost-saving deal for a website that runs the first level of a subdomain. The wildcard is a less expensive certificate that creates a secure bridge for all subdomains with strong encryption. Remove the hassle of certificate management and saves extra cost.
Related Blogs
- How to Generate CSR for Wildcard SSL Certificate
- Install Wildcard SSL Certificate on Multiple Server