Check SSL Certificate: Why it matters and how to avoid missed renewals

In today's internet landscape, HTTPS in a website's link is a given. Acquiring a domain and generating SSL for it is a common practice to establish a "functional" domain. Yet, merely having a certificate isn't enough – regular SSL expiry checks for its validity and proper operation are crucial.

This article explores why checking SSL certificates is vital and ways to make this process less complex.

What is SSL and how does it work?

An SSL certificate is a digital document that confirms your site's authenticity and encrypts data transmission to protect users' personal information.

When you visit a site with an SSL certificate, this sequence unfolds:

1. The browser requests identity confirmation from the server.
2. The server provides a copy of its SSL certificate.
3. The browser examines the certificate.
4. If verified, the browser sends an encrypted message to the server.
5. The server decodes the message and replies with an encrypted response.
6. A secure data exchange begins between the browser and server.

This happens instantly and invisibly, users only see a lock icon in the browser's address bar, indicating a secure connection.

What happens when an SSL certificate expires?

SSL certificates have limited validity periods, ranging from months to years. SSL certificate expiry can lead to several harmful consequences:

• "Your connection is not private". Browsers display alerts about insecure connections, deterring visitors and reducing trust in your site.

• Wasted advertising budget. If you direct traffic from platforms like GoogleAds, Facebook, or other traffic sources, your budget is spent on clicks, but users won't see your content due to browser warnings.
• Organic traffic suffers similarly. seeing "Your connection is not private", visitors often close your site's tab.
• Data vulnerability. An invalid SSL certificate leaves data exchanges unprotected, allowing easy interception of sensitive information, including personal details, passwords, and financial data.
• Search ranking issues. Search engines favor sites with valid SSL certificates, so expiration may affect your search result positions.

How to check SSL certificate expiration date?

To maintain an up-to-date certificate and secure site, you must perform regular ssl expiry checks and verify its functionality.

SSL verification methods:

1. Browser check.

Step 1. Click the lock icon in the address bar.

Step 2. Choose "Certificate".

Step 3. View certificate details, including the expiration date.

2. Online tools. Many free services offer SSL checks, such as Check_SSL_FREE.

3. Domain monitoring services. Specialized tools like KIT.DOMAINS manage numerous domains. They automate the process, regularly performing ssl expiry checks and assessing functionality. You receive immediate alerts if your certificate has issues or nears expiration.

Why automatic domain monitoring tools are beneficial

Regular checks of SSL certificates aren't mere technicalities, they are crucial for your sites' security and reliability. Tools like KIT.DOMAINS make this task easy, allowing you to concentrate on growing your business instead of technical minutiae.

Key advantages of KIT.DOMAINS for SSL checks

• Automatic checks. KIT.DOMAINS regularly assesses all your SSL certificates, removing manual work.
• Timely alerts. The system notifies you about approaching SSL certificate expiry, giving ample time for renewals.
• Unified management. All domains and certificates appear in one interface, easing tracking and control.
• Additional features. Beyond SSL checks, KIT.DOMAINS monitors site accessibility, domain expiration, uptime, and SEO data, becoming invaluable for webmasters and business owners.

Start using KIT.DOMAINS to ensure your SSL certificates function without interruption and boost your web resources' security.

Find the complete KIT.DOMAINS guide >>HERE<<.