Start Secure, Stay Secure: Generate CSR & Check SSL with DigiCert Tools

The lifecycle of an SSL/TLS certificate involves several key stages, from requesting it to ensuring it’s working correctly after installation. Knowing how to Generate CSR using a standard tool like OpenSSL is the essential first step in applying for your certificate. Once installed, verifying its proper configuration is crucial, and using reliable online tools like those provided by DigiCert allows you to check SSL DigiCert provides invaluable diagnostic insights.

This guide covers how to create a Certificate Signing Request using OpenSSL and then demonstrates how to leverage DigiCert’s popular diagnostic tools to check your SSL certificate’s installation and configuration.

Key Takeaways: CSR Generation & SSL Checking

• CSR Creation: A Certificate Signing Request (CSR) contains your public key and identifying information, generated on your server to request a certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA).
• OpenSSL for CSR: OpenSSL is a widely-used command-line tool for generating CSRs and private keys reliably.
• Post-Installation Verification: After obtaining and installing your SSL certificate (from any CA, like sslrepo.com), it’s vital to verify it’s correctly configured and trusted by browsers.
• DigiCert SSL Tools: DigiCert, a leading Certificate Authority, offers free online tools that are excellent for checking the status and configuration of any publicly accessible SSL/TLS certificate installation, regardless of the issuing CA.
• Importance: Generating the CSR correctly starts the process; checking the final installation ensures security and avoids user trust issues.

Phase 1: OpenSSL Generate CSR – The Starting Point

OpenSSL is a powerful open-source toolkit essential for many SSL/TLS operations. Generating a CSR is one of its core functions.

1. Access Your Server’s Command Line: Connect via SSH or open a terminal where OpenSSL is installed.
2. Execute the Generation Command: Use the following standard command: openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout your_domain_name.key -out your_domain_name.csr
   • openssl req: Specifies the certificate request utility.
   • -new -newkey rsa:2048: Generates a new CSR and a new 2048-bit RSA private key.
   • -nodes: (No DES) Prevents encrypting the private key file with a passphrase. Omit this if you require passphrase protection for the key file.
   • -keyout your_domain_name.key: Specifies the filename for your private key (e.g., mydomain_com.key). Keep this file secure and confidential on your server.
   • -out your_domain_name.csr: Specifies the filename for your CSR (e.g., mydomain_com.csr).
3. Provide Identifying Information (Distinguished Name): OpenSSL will prompt for details:
   • Country Name (2-letter code): [e.g., US, GB]
   • State or Province Name: [e.g., California, London]
   • Locality Name (City): [e.g., San Francisco, Manchester]
   • Organization Name: [e.g., My Company LLC]
   • Organizational Unit Name (Optional): [e.g., IT Department]
   • Common Name (FQDN): Critical! Must be the exact Fully Qualified Domain Name you intend to secure (e.g., www.yourdomain.com).
   • Email Address: [Your contact email]
   • Challenge Password / Optional Company Name: [Usually left blank]
4. Retrieve Files: You’ll now have:
   • your_domain_name.key: Your private key. Secure it!
   • your_domain_name.csr: Your CSR. Copy its full content (including BEGIN/END lines) to submit to your CA (like sslrepo.com) when ordering your certificate.

The In-Between Step: Getting and Installing the Certificate

After generating the CSR, you’ll use it to apply for an SSL certificate from a CA like sslrepo.com. Once the CA validates your request and issues the certificate, you need to download the certificate files (server certificate, intermediate certificates) and install them, along with your private key, on your web server.

Phase 2: Check SSL DigiCert – Verifying Your Setup

Once your SSL certificate is installed, it’s crucial to verify that everything is configured correctly. Errors in installation can lead to browser warnings, security vulnerabilities, or broken padlock icons. DigiCert provides a widely respected free online tool for this purpose.

1. Access the Tool: Navigate to DigiCert’s SSL Installation Diagnostic Tool (or search “DigiCert SSL Checker”). ^^(Reference: DigiCert SSL Tools Website – Note: Exact URL might change, search is reliable)
2. Enter Your Domain: In the tool’s interface, enter the exact server address (domain name) where the SSL certificate is installed (e.g., www.yourdomain.com).
3. Run the Check: Initiate the scan. The tool connects to your server just like a browser would and analyzes the SSL/TLS configuration.
4. Review the Results: The DigiCert tool provides comprehensive feedback, typically including:
   • Certificate Details: Common Name, Subject Alternative Names (SANs), issuing CA, validity period (expiration date).
   • Common Name Mismatch: Checks if the certificate’s Common Name/SANs match the domain you entered.
   • Chain of Trust: Verifies if the intermediate certificates are correctly installed and link back to a trusted root CA. Incomplete chains are a common installation error.
   • Expiration Status: Confirms the certificate is currently valid.
   • Revocation Status: May check if the certificate has been revoked (using OCSP or CRLs).
   • Server Configuration: Often includes details about supported protocols (TLS 1.2, TLS 1.3), cipher suites, and potential vulnerabilities (like POODLE, Heartbleed – though less common now). ^^(Reference: TLS Protocol Standards – IETF RFCs)
   • Overall Assessment: Provides a summary of whether the installation appears correct or if issues were detected.

Why Use DigiCert’s Checker (Even for Non-DigiCert Certificates)?

DigiCert’s tools are generally CA-agnostic. They check the public-facing configuration of your SSL/TLS setup according to industry best practices and standards. This makes them valuable for verifying installations regardless of where you purchased the certificate (e.g., from sslrepo.com or another provider).

Connecting the Dots

Generating a CSR with OpenSSL is the foundational step to requesting your unique digital identity. Checking the SSL installation with a tool like DigiCert’s provides the crucial validation that your website is correctly presenting that identity and securing connections after installation. Both are vital parts of responsible SSL/TLS management.

Wrapping It Up

From the command line where you Generate CSR using OpenSSL, to the web-based tools used to check SSL DigiCert provides, managing your website’s security involves distinct but connected phases. Creating an accurate CSR ensures you get the right certificate, while diligent post-installation checks guarantee it’s working effectively to protect your users and maintain trust. Utilizing reliable tools for both steps is key to a secure online presence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q1: Can I use DigiCert’s SSL checker tool if I bought my certificate from sslrepo.com or another CA?
  Yes, absolutely. DigiCert’s diagnostic tool checks the public configuration of any SSL certificate installed on a server it can reach via the internet, regardless of the issuing CA.
• Q2: What should I do if the DigiCert check reports an error?
  Review the specific error message. Common issues include:
  • Incomplete Certificate Chain: You likely need to install the intermediate certificate(s) provided by your CA.
  • Common Name Mismatch: Ensure the certificate covers the exact domain name being accessed, including www vs. non-www if applicable.
  • Private Key Mismatch: The installed certificate might not match the private key on the server (requires re-installation with the correct key).
  • Expired Certificate: You need to renew your certificate.
• Q3: Is OpenSSL the only way to generate a CSR?
  No. Many web hosting control panels (like cPanel, Plesk) and some web servers (like IIS) have built-in tools to generate CSRs. OpenSSL is a common, powerful, and platform-independent command-line method.
• Q4: Can I check my SSL certificate before it’s fully installed on the live server?
  You can examine the certificate files themselves using tools (including OpenSSL commands like openssl x509 -text -noout -in your_certificate.crt), but a full diagnostic check like DigiCert’s requires the certificate to be installed and accessible on a public web server.
• Q5: What information from the CSR generation is most important for the DigiCert check?
  The Common Name (and any SANs requested) is crucial. The DigiCert checker verifies that the certificate installed on the server matches the domain name being checked.
• Q6: If the DigiCert check is successful, does it mean my site is 100% secure?
  A successful SSL check confirms the certificate is technically valid, trusted, and likely configured well for HTTPS. However, overall website security involves many other factors, including server patching, application security, secure passwords, firewalls, etc.