PekiSSL Blog

Guides and articles about SSL certificates, HTTPS, domain validation, and web security.

• What Is Post-Quantum SSL? Why Should You Migrate Now? — NIST standardized ML-DSA, ML-KEM, and SLH-DSA algorithms as of 2024. The days when quantum computers can break RSA and ECC encryption are closer than you think.
• Wildcard SSL Guide: Protect All Your Subdomains with One Certificate — A Wildcard SSL certificate covers all your subdomains in *.example.com format under a single certificate.
• DV, OV, and EV Certificate Differences: Which One Should You Choose? — DV, OV, and EV certificates offer different levels of trust. Choosing the right one is critical for both security and reputation.
• What Is HTTPS and Why Does It Matter? — HTTPS encrypts communication between a browser and server using SSL/TLS. Sites without it are now marked "Not Secure" by browsers.
• How to Install an SSL Certificate? Step-by-Step Guide — SSL installation involves generating a CSR, submitting to a CA, validating, and loading the certificate on your server.
• Multi-Domain (SAN) SSL: Protect Multiple Domains with One Certificate — SAN certificates let you protect multiple entirely different domain names under a single certificate.
• SSL Certificate Renewal Guide: What to Do Before It Expires? — An expired SSL certificate shows visitors a security warning. Starting renewal 30 days early prevents any downtime.
• Let's Encrypt vs Paid SSL: Which Is Right for Your Business? — Let's Encrypt offers free DV certificates; paid options add OV/EV validation, warranty, and support.
• Most Common SSL Errors and Their Solutions — SSL errors like ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID and Mixed Content usually stem from incorrect installation or expired certificates — each has a clear fix.
• SSL for E-Commerce Sites: Legal Requirement and Trust Shield — For e-commerce, SSL is not optional — PCI DSS compliance requires it. OV and EV certificates visibly boost customer trust.
• SSL or TLS? The Difference and Current State — SSL is a deprecated protocol; modern servers use TLS 1.2 and 1.3. When we say "SSL certificate" we actually mean a TLS-based product.
• What Is a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) and How to Generate One? — A CSR is the first step in obtaining an SSL certificate — generated on your server and sent to the CA for signing.
• What Is the SSL Trust Chain and How Does It Work? — The SSL trust chain is the hierarchy that determines why a browser trusts a certificate. A missing link causes the browser to reject it.
• HTTP/2 and SSL: The Indispensable Duo for a Faster Web — HTTP/2 speeds up page loading with multiplexing and header compression, but browsers only run it over HTTPS.
• Why Does Mixed Content Error Occur and How to Fix It? — Mixed Content occurs when an HTTPS page loads resources over HTTP. Browsers block these resources and the padlock appears broken.
• What Happens When an SSL Certificate Expires? — An expired SSL certificate shows a full-screen "Not Secure" warning to visitors, effectively making your site inaccessible.
• How Does an SSL Certificate Benefit SEO? — Google has used HTTPS as a ranking signal since 2014. Migrating correctly boosts SEO; done wrong, it can hurt rankings.
• What Is a Self-Signed Certificate? When Should You Use It? — A self-signed certificate is signed by your own server instead of a CA. Browsers show warnings — suitable for development and internal networks only.
• What Is a Code Signing Certificate? How Does It Secure Your Software? — A Code Signing certificate digitally signs your software, proving to users that the code is unmodified. Unsigned software is blocked by Windows and macOS.
• What Is SSL Pinning? Why Is It Important in Mobile Apps? — SSL Pinning forces an app to communicate only with a pre-defined certificate or public key, adding a strong layer against MITM attacks.
• What Is HSTS? Take SSL Security One Step Further — HSTS tells the browser to communicate with the site only via HTTPS, effectively preventing SSL stripping attacks.
• PCI DSS Compliance and SSL: Key Requirements for Payment Security — PCI DSS requires TLS 1.2+ for all businesses handling card payments. Non-compliance risks heavy fines and loss of payment processing rights.
• What Is a Certificate Authority (CA)? The Foundation of SSL Trust — A Certificate Authority (CA) is the trusted third party that signs SSL certificates. Browsers trust only CA-signed certificates.
• How to Get a Free SSL Certificate with PekiSSL (2026 Guide) — You can get a completely free SSL/TLS certificate through PekiSSL. No Cloudflare API token required — all you need to do is add one CNAME record to your DNS provider. Single domain and wildcard are both supported.
• PCI DSS Levels and SAQ Types: Which Compliance Path Applies to Your Business? — Your annual transaction volume determines whether you face PCI DSS Level 1 through Level 4 obligations. Nine different SAQ types — from SAQ A to SAQ D — are assigned based on exactly how you handle card data.
• How to Validate Your Domain with a DNS TXT Record — If you chose DNS TXT as your domain validation method at PekiSSL checkout, all you need to do is add the record the Certificate Authority gives you to your DNS panel — no special mailbox or server access required.
• How to Validate Your Domain by Uploading an HTTP File — If you don't have DNS panel access but can upload files to your site, choose the HTTP File method at PekiSSL checkout and activate your certificate by uploading a small validation file to your server.
• How to Validate Your Domain by Email — Email may feel like the most familiar option, but CA/Browser Forum rules only accept specific role addresses like admin@ on your domain. This guide explains exactly which addresses are valid and how to set one up.
• Why Are SSL Certificate Lifespans Shrinking? — Certificate validity is 200 days today, dropping to 100 in 2027 and 47 in 2029. Here's the real reasoning behind this shift and how pekiSSL is prepared for it.
• What Is PekiSSL? What Does an SSL Certificate Management Platform Do? — PekiSSL manages certificate purchasing, installation, monitoring, and automatic renewal from a single dashboard — going beyond selling certificates by tracking your certificate's entire lifecycle for you.
• How to Choose an SSL Certificate Provider? 7 Criteria to Consider — Choosing the right SSL provider isn't just about the price tag. We break down validation speed, automated renewal, warranty coverage, and support quality — the criteria that actually matter.
• How to Install an SSL Certificate on WordPress? Step-by-Step Guide — Installing SSL on WordPress does not end with the server certificate — Site Address settings, mixed content warnings, and redirects all need to be configured correctly or the padlock will still look broken.
• How to Install an SSL Certificate in cPanel? — cPanel offers two SSL installation paths: free automatic certificates via AutoSSL, or manually installing a certificate you purchased from PekiSSL. Here's how to do both.
• How to Install an SSL Certificate in Plesk? — In Plesk, SSL can be installed with a single click via the built-in Let's Encrypt extension, or manually by uploading a certificate you purchased from PekiSSL through the SSL/TLS Certificates section.
• How to Install an SSL Certificate on IIS / Windows Server? — Installing SSL on IIS is easier than it looks — PekiSSL eliminates the CSR generation and intermediate-certificate hassle by packaging your certificate as a single .pfx file, ready to import into IIS Manager.
• PekiSSL WHMCS Module: Automate SSL Certificate Sales — PekiSSL's officially WHMCS Marketplace-approved provisioning module automatically creates the certificate the moment an order is placed in WHMCS — client area, admin panel, and cancel/reissue flows all run through the PekiSSL Partner API end to end.
• What Is Automated SSL (Automate)? Set It Up Once, Forget About Renewals — SSL certificate lifetimes are shrinking from 200 days toward 47. With PekiSSL's Automated SSL products, an agent or ACME client you set up once on your server validates, installs and renews the certificate on its own for the whole subscription.
• RSA or ECC? Choosing the Right Key Type for Your SSL Certificate — Paid SSL certificates on PekiSSL now let you choose between RSA 2048, ECC P-256 and ECC P-384. We explain the differences, which one fits your site and how to make the choice.