How to Install Let’s Encrypt SSL on CWP Panel

Securing one's site is a quite important task in the world of digital today. One of the best ways to keep a site safe and protect it from fraudsters is through an SSL certificate. SSL helps encrypt communication between a website and its visitors so that any sensitive data remains safe. Among the best SSL providers is Let's Encrypt, known for free SSL certificates with cost-effectiveness on the part of website owners. Installing Let's Encrypt SSL through CWP Panel, or in simple terms, CentOS Web Panel, is done step-by-step with very minimal hassle. Always at the forefront, on the priority lists, has been security for sites owned by businesses and organizations that have long needed to preserve their web presence and reputation. Cyfuture Cloud can assist you in installing Let's Encrypt for CWP Panel.

Why Let’s Encrypt?

Before diving into the installation, let’s look at why Let’s Encrypt is a preferred choice:

Free and Open – Let’s Encrypt offers SSL certificates free of cost, which helps website owners, especially small businesses, secure their websites without the hefty expense.

Automatic Renewals – SSL certificates from Let’s Encrypt automatically renew every 90 days, minimizing the manual effort.

Trustworthy – It’s widely accepted by all major browsers and offers the same level of encryption as paid SSL certificates.

SEO Boost – Websites with SSL certificates tend to rank higher in search engines, contributing to better visibility.

At Cyfuture, we’ve seen numerous clients benefit from using Let’s Encrypt on their sites, enjoying both security and search engine advantages.

Prerequisites Before Installation

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure you have the following:

CWP (CentOS Web Panel) installed on your server

Root access to your server

A domain name properly pointed to your server's IP

With everything in place, you’re ready to move on to the installation process.

Steps to Install Let’s Encrypt SSL on CWP Panel

Step 1: Log in to Your CWP Panel

Start by logging into your CWP Admin Panel using the root user credentials. Typically, you can access the CWP panel by visiting your server’s IP followed by the port 2087 in your browser (e.g., http://your-server-ip:2087).

Step 2: Navigate to the “SSL Certificates” Section

Once you’re inside the CWP dashboard, locate the SSL Certificates option under the Security section. CWP has built-in support for Let’s Encrypt, which makes the process smooth.

Step 3: Choose the Domain for SSL Installation

In the SSL Certificates section, you'll see a list of domains hosted on your server. Select the domain for which you want to install the SSL certificate. If you haven’t added the domain yet, you can add it via the Domains section in the CWP dashboard.

Step 4: Enable AutoSSL (Let’s Encrypt)

Now, click on the Let’s Encrypt tab and check the option for AutoSSL. AutoSSL ensures that your SSL certificate is issued automatically by Let’s Encrypt and also handles the renewal process. This is a key step as it makes managing SSL certificates hassle-free.

At Cyfuture Cloud, we strongly recommend enabling AutoSSL for clients looking to streamline their SSL management process.

Step 5: Fill in the Required Information

You will be asked to provide a few details, such as:

Email Address (for notifications about SSL expiration or errors)

Domain Name (already selected in the previous step)

Ensure everything is correct, then click the Install SSL button.

Step 6: Installation in Progress

Once you hit the Install button, CWP will automatically reach out to Let’s Encrypt and request an SSL certificate for your domain. This process typically takes a minute or two.

You’ll see a progress bar or message indicating that the SSL certificate is being generated. Once complete, you should see a success message confirming the installation.

Step 7: Test the SSL Installation

Now that the SSL certificate is installed, it’s time to test it. Open your browser and type https://yourdomain.com. If everything is set up correctly, you’ll see the secure padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar. This indicates that your website is secured with Let’s Encrypt SSL.

Additionally, you can use online tools like SSL Checker to verify that the certificate is installed correctly and that everything is functioning as expected.

Step 8: Set Up Auto-Renewal (Optional but Recommended)

Although Let’s Encrypt certificates auto-renew every 90 days, it’s good practice to ensure that auto-renewal is properly set up. In the CWP panel, you can manage this under the AutoSSL settings, which should be active once you’ve installed Let’s Encrypt.

Step 9: Redirect HTTP to HTTPS

To ensure that all your website traffic is secured, it's important to redirect any non-secure HTTP requests to the secure HTTPS version of your site. You can do this by editing your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On

RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off

RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Save the changes, and now all visitors will be directed to the secure version of your website.

Final Thoughts

The process of installing an SSL Certificate using Let's Encrypt on the CWP Panel is quite smooth. That's going to make your website more secure, and users will feel confident about interacting with your site. This Cyfuture Cloud would always encourage businesses to take security very seriously, and installing an SSL Certificate using Let's Encrypt is a pretty sweet way of doing that without breaking the bank. Let's Encrypt provides free SSL certificates with renewals automatically taken care of, so security on any given website has now become a democratic right rather than a luxury for just a few.

If any issue surfaces or one requires further assistance in securing his/her online presence again, the team at Cyfuture Cloud is more than eager to help!