installing and activating Cloudflare’s free SSL for your website involves several steps. Here’s a guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Sign Up for Cloudflare
- Visit Cloudflare’s website:
Go to cloudflare.com and sign up for a free account. - Add your website:
After creating an account, you’ll be prompted to add your website’s domain name. - Select a plan:
Choose the free plan to get started.
Step 2: Update Your DNS Settings
- Cloudflare scans your DNS records:
After adding your website, Cloudflare will scan your existing DNS records. Review these records to ensure they’re correct. - Change your nameservers:
Cloudflare will provide you with new nameservers. You’ll need to log in to your domain registrar (where you purchased your domain) and replace the existing nameservers with the ones provided by Cloudflare.
Step 3: Configure SSL/TLS Settings
- Go to SSL/TLS settings:
In your Cloudflare dashboard, navigate to the SSL/TLS section.
Set the SSL/TLS mode to “Flexible” (recommended for beginners) or “Full” if your server supports HTTPS. “Full (Strict)” is the most secure option but requires a valid SSL certificate on your server. - Automatic HTTPS Rewrites:
Enable this option under the SSL/TLS settings to ensure that all HTTP requests are redirected to HTTPS. - Always Use HTTPS:
Enable this setting to force all traffic to go through HTTPS.
Step 4: Wait for the DNS Propagation
- DNS propagation:
This can take up to 24 hours, although it’s usually much quicker. During this time, your website might experience a short downtime as the DNS settings update across the internet.
Step 5: Verify SSL is Working
- Check your website:
Once DNS propagation is complete, visit your website using https:// in the URL. If everything is set up correctly, your site should load with a padlock icon in the address bar, indicating that the SSL certificate is active. - Test using online tools:
You can also use online tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test to verify the SSL certificate and its configuration.
Step 6: Optimize Settings (Optional)
- Page Rules:
You can set up page rules in Cloudflare to further control how traffic is handled on your site. - Security Settings:
Explore additional security features in Cloudflare to enhance your website’s protection.
That’s it! Your website should now be secured with Cloudflare’s free SSL.
