Steps to Install SSL Certificate on NodeJS

A Step-by-Step Instructions to Install SSL Certificate on NodeJS

NodeJS is a cross-platform server environment that is free and open. It runs on multiple operating systems such as MAC, OS X, Windows, Linux, Unix, etc. To function on the server, NodeJS uses Java scripts. Moreover, a common task for any web server is to open a file on the respective server and return the content to the client. NodeJS handles the file request by sending the task to the system, and when the file system reads the file, the server finally returns the content to the client. The benefit of NodeJS is that it eliminates the waiting period and goes on with the subsequent request.

In this article, we will give you a step-by-step guide on how to install SSL certificates on NodeJS and understand how NodeJS SSL works.

Before we look at the steps, let’s first look at what an SSL Certificate is.

What is an SSL Certificate?

We need to be well-versed in what an SSL Certificate is. It is a digital certificate that helps authenticate the identity of a website and enables a connection that is encrypted. SSL refers to Secure Sockets Layer; this is a security protocol that creates an encrypted link between a web browser and a web server.

Organizations and companies want to add SSL certificates to their respective websites in order to keep customer information safe and private and secure all online transactions.

Simply put, SSL helps in keeping the internet connection safe and secure. Also, it prevents fraud by keeping criminals away from modifying information or reading it when being transferred between two systems.

There are various types of SSL, all of which have been rejected at some point in the past due to security troubles.

Benefits of Installing an SSL Certificate on NodeJS

Nowadays, secure browsing cannot be negotiated at any cost and SSL Certificates play a crucial role in ensuring this. The benefits of an SSL Certificate included

Compliance with PCI

PCI mandates all websites that accept payments to install SSL certificates that are encrypted with TLS 1.2 or beyond protocols. If your website accepts payments, installing SSL should be in compliance with PCI.

Affirmation and Authentication of Identity

Another great benefit of an SSL certificate is that it affirms and authenticates the identity of the party/parties involved. Moreover, online data gets passed across multiple entities these days with a high possibility of landing with attackers or other third parties.

Beneficial for search engine ranking

The presence of SSL ensures boosting the search rankings. The algorithms for search engines consider web security and the existence of SSL certificates an essential factor in these rankings.

Preventing attacks

SSL helps in securing websites and users from attacks.

Increased customer trust

The presence of signs such as HTTPS is given to websites with their communication being protected with SSL certificates. Any impersonation, identity theft, or eavesdropping is prevented using SSL. This is because fraudulent websites are rarely given an SSL certificate.

With the latest OpenSSL NodeJS provides the best fixes for security defects with the highest and most severe issues.

Steps to Install SSL Certificate on NodeJS

Step 1: Generate a Private Key and CSR

The first step requires you to generate a CSR code for NodeJS if you haven’t yet applied for an SSL certificate. CSR stands for Certificate Signing Request and contains all your contact details. You would need the primary certificate, the root certificate, and the CA bundle file. Your CSR and the private key get generated.

Step 2: Submit the CSR to the Certificate Authority

This is done to validate the company details and the domain.

Step 3: Download the SSL Certificate Files

You need to download and then select the type of server. Choose the server and download the zip file which matches your host server type.

Step 4: Configure SSL Certificate on NodeJS

You must then configure the NodeJS SSL Certificate together. For this, you would need the CSR.

Step 5: Test the SSL Installation

You must test the installation for any errors using a checker tool.

What to Do If There is an Error During the Installation?

If there is an error during the installation, the NodeJS will need to take back-end services that are protected by HTTPS. Also, NodeJS is built mainly with a bundle of Ca root certificates. Even with these, there can be a few errors related to HTTPS. These errors can be resolved by a few methods, such as

• The easiest way to resolve these issues is to choose the “rejectUnathorized” option. You can even set it as an environment variable. This can be unsafe as it disables the certificate verification, making NodeJS susceptible to attack.

• The safer option is to specify the CA certificate expected from the server. Simply put, the common name should match the server certificate.

It would help if you could use configuration management tools to handle updates and installations of SSL certificates.

Factors to Consider Before Installing an SSL Certificate

Purchasing the right SSL certificate is vital. There are a few things to remember and be aware of to choose the right SSL certificate. These include

• Choosing the most appropriate SSL certificate that works best for your website is a must.

• For Wildcard SSL and Multi-domain SSL certificates, you would need to give the domains to install SSL certificates in the SSL order.

• For extended validity SSL, you need to manually enable or force the HTTPS to work on the specific domain name.

• You should not ignore compatibility factors. Therefore, you should be aware of the software and hardware.

Conclusion

Installing an SSL Certificate on NodeJS is important to ensure website security and increased customer trust. Installation of an SSL certificate is not difficult, but it requires technical knowledge. It’s best to have a qualified SSL certificate professional handle this process for you or consult with one if you decide to take care of the installation yourself. With the correct steps, you can install an SSL certificate on NodeJS with ease.

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