Should I Install an Intermediate SSL Certificate for my Website?

Should I Install an Intermediate SSL Certificate for my Website?

The main purpose of an intermediate certificate is to be a substitute for the root certificate. Companies that provide SSL Certificates, such as GoDaddy, would make use of intermediate certificates as proxy in order to keep the root certificate to stay behind the various security levels and thus, ensuring that the keys will become absolutely inaccessible.

Due to the fact that the root certificate will sign the intermediate certificate, the certificate can then be utilized to sign the SSL that the customers of GoDaddy will install and then maintain a “Chain of Trust”. So with regards to the question of whether you should install the intermediate SSL Certificate for your site, the answer is definitely a yes.

What are Intermediate Certificates?

Before you go on to find out how to install the intermediate certificates, it is best to find out what these certificates are. Basically, the certificates sit in between the end entity certificate as well as the root certificate. These certificates help to complete the chain of trust coming from your certificate back towards the root certificate of GoDaddy.

Those who will choose to install the intermediate certificate of GoDaddy should first install the most appropriate intermediate certificate for their web servers. Right after the installation, all the browsers, mobile browser and apps will bear the intermediate certificate from GoDaddy which gives assurance that they are safe to view.

Installing the Intermediate Certificates

Right after the SSL Certificate is provided to you, GoDaddy will send you an email along with a hyperlink that you need to click in order to download the signed certificate, along with their intermediate certificates. Keep in mind that the process of installing the certificates will pretty much depend on the software that you will be using.

In several instances, you can simply download and then install the intermediate certificate bundle, but for other server types, downloading and installing individually the two intermediate certificates are necessary. There are instructions on the website of GoDaddy on how to install the SSL Certificate, so refer to the website so you will know the specific instructions for your web server that you will need to follow. Remember that all of the intermediate certificates as well as the certificate bundles of GoDaddy can be obtained from the repository.

Things to Keep In Mind

Remember that if you do not install the intermediate certificate for your issued SSL certificate, then the trusted chain certificate could not be established. What this means is that when any of your customers will attempt to get access to your website, they will sure to encounter the Security Alert error that will tell them that the security certificate of the website was issued by a company that cannot be trusted. And as you know, when customers will be faced with this warning message, they will surely be put off from visiting your website, thinking that it is not safe for them to do their business and will seek other companies.

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