Cloudflare offers powerful features to enhance the security and performance of your website. One crucial aspect is securing the communication between your visitors and Cloudflare, as well as between Cloudflare and your origin server. In this article, we'll explore the SSL options provided by Cloudflare and how to choose the right configuration for your needs.
Contents
TL:DR
- certbot installed on vps
- domain HTTPS configured using certbot
- port 443 opened
- Cloudflare, use FULL SSL, if you pick Flexible ssl after you configure https on your server, it will cause 301 too many redirect
1. Cloudflare SSL Options
1.1 Flexible SSL (Not Recommended)
Flexible SSL encrypts the communication between your visitors and Cloudflare but leaves the connection between Cloudflare and your origin server unencrypted (HTTP). While easy to set up, this option lacks end-to-end encryption.
1.2 Full SSL
Full SSL ensures that both the communication between your visitors and Cloudflare, as well as between Cloudflare and your origin server, is encrypted (HTTPS). This is the more secure option but requires additional configuration.
2. Setting Up Full SSL
To set up Full SSL, follow these steps:
2.1 Configure Your Web Server
Ensure that your web server (e.g., Apache or Nginx) is configured to serve content over HTTPS. If not, modify the server configuration accordingly.
2.2 Obtain an SSL Certificate
Obtain an SSL certificate for your domain. Let's Encrypt is a popular option for free certificates, and Certbot is a widely used tool for managing Let's Encrypt certificates.
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Install Certbot on your server by following the instructions in the Certbot Documentation.
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Use Certbot to obtain a certificate for your domain.
2.3 Configure Your Web Server for HTTPS
Set up your web server to use HTTPS. Update the server configuration to include the SSL certificate and configure the necessary settings for secure communication.
2.4 Cloudflare Dashboard Configuration
In the Cloudflare dashboard, navigate to the SSL/TLS tab and select the "Full" SSL encryption mode.
3. Important Considerations
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Ensure that your server's firewall allows incoming traffic on port 443 (HTTPS).
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Always back up your server before making significant changes to configurations.
4. Conclusion
Securing your website with Cloudflare's SSL options is crucial for protecting data in transit and building trust with your visitors. While Flexible SSL offers a quick setup, Full SSL provides a more comprehensive solution with end-to-end encryption. Choose the option that aligns with your security requirements and technical capabilities.
By following these steps, you can enhance the security of your website and provide a safe browsing experience for your users.
Remember, security is an ongoing process, and regularly updating your SSL certificates is essential to maintaining a secure online presence.