How to Install Let’s Encrypt SSL on VPS Running Webmin/Virtualmin

This is a straightforward explanation on how to get HTTPS up and operating on a virtual server; however, it does imply that you are using Virtualmin on a virtual private server (VPS). Both of these things will make your life considerably easier if you manage several websites or applications and/or handle some hosting, so if you don’t know what they are yet, Google them. Both of them will make your life much easier if you host websites or apps. For your information, this virtual private server uses Ubuntu and the Apache web server. If you’re running CentOS with NGINX or another web server, some of the screenshots may seem different.

Anyone in need of a free SSL certificate should look no further than Let’s Encrypt as their first option. Users of Webmin also have the advantage of being able to request SSL certificates from Let’s Encrypt and have them deployed straight from the web-based management panel. 

Let’s Encrypt SSL will be installed on a Virtual Private Server (VPS) that is running Webmin by following the steps in this tutorial.

Why Is It Necessary for You to Use SSL Certificates Issued by Let’s Encrypt? 

Enabling a website to use an SSL certificate is just one of the numerous ways that a website can be protected from potential threats. Your connection is protected by a protocol known as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), which encrypts the data that is transferred between your browser and the server. 

Users of the most popular web browsers, such as Chrome and Firefox, see a warning whenever they visit a website that is not secure. As a result of this, having an SSL can assist you in gaining the trust of site visitors and enhance the site’s trustworthiness. 

SSL is not widely used on websites because of the high cost associated with it. Let’s Encrypt is a totally free certificate authority that was developed by the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG) specifically to address this problem. More than 150 million websites are currently being served by it.

Using Webmin to install Let’s Encrypt SSL on a Virtual Private Server 

With Webmin, the installation of Let’s Encrypt SSL is a rather straightforward and speedy process. To learn how to do it, just follow the instructions that are listed below. 

Step 1: Enable SSL Settings 

Make sure that you have already chosen Webmin as the operating system for your virtual private server (VPS) before continuing with this tutorial.

Log in to the VSYS’s cPanel and head to the Servers tab. The next step is to locate the section labeled Other settings and make the adjustment to the operating system such that it is Ubuntu 18.04 64bit with Webmin/Virtualmin/LAMP. Click the Save changes button. 

As soon as that is finished, we will need to sign into your Webmin account in order to enable the SSL option for your website: 

1. Enter https://your.vps.ip.address:10000 in the login window of Webmin or Virtualmin to access it. The IP address, as well as your login credentials, may be located in the Servers page of your hPanel control panel. 
2. You will see a warning message from the browser at this point. Users of Chrome should click the Advanced button and then choose the option to Continue to [your IP address]. 
3. Please enter your username and password. If you have forgotten your password, navigate to the Servers page of hPanel and look for the Root password option. From there, you may reset your password.
4. After you have successfully logged in, choose the Virtualmin tab from the menu on the sidebar, and then click the Edit Virtual Server button. If you haven’t set up a Virtual Server, don’t hesitate to contact VSYS technical support team for guidance. 
5. Go to the section labeled “Enabled Features” and select the checkbox next to the option labeled “Apache SSL website enabled.” Choose the Save Virtual Server option.

Step 2: Setup Let’s Encrypt SSL on Your Virtual Private Server 

Once SSL has been enabled, the Let’s Encrypt certificate can be installed from your Webmin by following these steps: 

To configure your SSL certificate, navigate to the Server Configuration menu in the Virtualmin control panel. After that, go to the tab labeled “Let’s Encrypt,” and be patient as the Let’s Encrypt section loads. 

Make the necessary adjustments to the following parameters according to your requirements: 

Make a certificate request; there are two possible responses to choose from: Domains that are connected to this server as well as Domains that are mentioned here. If you want to install the certificate on the default domain names of your virtual hosts, select the first option. 

Choose the second option and enter the domain names if you need to install the certificate on other domains and subdomains that are hosted on the same server.

Let’s Encrypt certificates have a validity period of ninety days and are automatically renewed every three months. As a result, the maximum value that should be assigned to this option is three. 

Once you’re done making changes, click Request Certificate.

That wraps it up! It is expected that you will now have access to your website while using the HTTPS protocol. 

Make sure to consult this walkthrough in order to set up an automatic redirection of all of your website traffic to the HTTPS version of your site. 

Conclusion 

You now know the answer! You should now be familiar with how to install an SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt on a virtual private server (VPS) that is managed by Webmin. Activate the SSL feature through your Webmin interface, and then submit a request for the certificate. It’s not that difficult, is it? 

The question now is, what are you waiting for? Don’t delay—get your website protected right away!