All users of WebMin do know that it is a pretty good Web Hosting manager with tons of features, but where WebMin does not hit the ball out of the park is with its complicated UI (User Interface). Well, this guide will go-through how you can successfully install an SSL Certificate on your website through the WebMin (VirtualMin) Web Hosting Manager.
- Step 1: Generating a CSR and Private Key
- Step 2: Order and Configure the SSL Certificate
- Step 3: Install the SSL Certificate on WebMin
- Step 4: Check the SSL is working
- Optional Troubleshooting and Further Configuration
Step 1. Generating a CSR and Private Key
1: Login to your WebMin WHM through your default port. (Generally Port:10000).
2: Click on the VirtualMin icon on the top left and select your domain name
3: Scroll down to Server Configuration and click on SSL Certificate
If you do not see the SSL Certificate option, you will need to turn on Apache SSL under Enabled Settings in the VirtualMin Configuration.
To do so, follow the steps below
Select your domain name and click on Edit Virtual Server
Click on the Enabled Features Drop-Down and be sure to check the - Apache SSL Enabled Box
Also, make sure to update all packages and install required dependencies.
4: Click on the Create Signing Request Box and fill in all your details accordingly.
City: Complete name of the city, no abbreviations.
State: Full name of the state.
Country: Choose your country from the dropdown list.
Organization: If you are a business; Enter your legal entity name. If you're not a business, any value entered will not be used in your certificate.
Department: If you are a business; Write the appropriate division of your company. It is best to use something generic such as "IT".
Email: Enter your email address
5: Click on the Generate CSR button below
6: You will now see a newly generated CSR (Customer Signing Request) and a Private Key. Make sure you store this securely on your PC as you’re gonna need this later or keep that window open.
Step 2. Order and Configure the SSL Certificate
Now we need to order an SSL Certificate. If you visit our SSL Certificates List page, you will have a selection of Certificates you can order. If you require any assistance with selecting an SSL Certificate, please feel free to contact our sales team and they will be happy to assist.
1: Order the SSL and complete the checkout.
2: Once you have completed the SSL Certificate Purchase you can begin the configuration process. This can be started by going into your SSLTrust account and managing your recent purchase.
You then will need to click the Submit Configuration button to begin the configuration process.
3: You now need to paste in the CSR you generated in your WebMin Web Hosting Panel. This includes the lines:
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST---- -----END CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----
Select OTHER for your Web Server Type as WebMin is not recognized yet. Then continue to the next step.
This information is to be of the individual who is responsible to approve and SSL Certificate. If it is a business SSL, it needs to be a contact under the business.
The Technical Contact Information is the details of the individual responsible for the installation and management of the Certificate.
If you have ordered a business SSL, you will also be required to enter your business details. These should be the correct address and phone number and legal entity name. They will be required to be validated by the Certificate Authority, any mistakes will cause delays. More information on Business Validation can be found here.
4: Click Continue to go to the next Step. Here you need to select the Authentication Method to validate your domain name. This is required to prove you own the domain name and have permission to issue an SSL Certificate for the domain.
Select the method that will be the easiest for you to use; File-Based Authentication ( HTTP / HTTPS ), CNAME Based Authentication ( DNS ) or Certificate Approver Email.
If you have access to one of the listed emails, this can be the quickest method
Click Continue/Submit to finish the Configuration process.
After you complete the domain validation via your selected method, your SSL will be issued. If you ordered a Business SSL, you will need to wait for the Certificate Authority to complete the Business address and phone validation. If the validation has not progressed, or you have not received your Certificate after some time, please contact our support team so we can check on its status.
Step 3. Install the SSL Certificate on Plesk
When your SSL Certificate has been issued, you will be emailed the Certificate Directly from the Certificate Authority. You can also download it from your SSLTrust Portal. Downloading it from the SSLTrust Portal is a good option as we format the certificate in an easy to use way.
Again; View your certificate management page within SSLTrust
1: Click on the Manage button and collect/download your certificate
2: Go to the first column and click on copy to clipboard
3: Head back over to your WebMin Dashboard and go to the SSL Certificate setting under Server Configuration again.
4: Click on the Apply Signed Certificate dialog box
Paste in your copied SSL Certificate. Also, make sure that you check the boxes as Pasted text.
5: Click on the Install Now button.
And we’re done.
In some cases, you will also have to copy and paste you CABUNDLE (Intermediate Certificate) - The chain is required to improve compatibility of the certificates with web browsers and other kind of clients so that browsers recognize your certificate and no security warnings appear.
6: Click on the CA Certificate Dialog Box
Copy and paste your CABUNDLE (Intermediate Certificate) from the Sectigo Collection page
And click on Save Certificate
Step 4. Check the SSL is working
It is a good idea to go to your website and see if it works via https://www.yourdomain.com
We also recommend you use this tool to check the install has been completed successfully: www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/
You may need to get your web developer, or update your website yourself, to make sure all files use https:// and all links to your site and within your website use https://
If you require any assistance with your SSL Installation please contact our friendly support team.
Optional Troubleshooting and Further Configuration
1: If you do not get an A rating on the SSLLabs test, make sure to have installed the CABUNDLE (Intermediate) Certificate and only allow TLS 1.2 and higher to function
You can check which versions of TLS are enabled by the process below:
Go the VirtualMin Dashboard -> select your Domain Name and head over to the -> Services Option -> Configure SSL Website
Click on SSL Options
Check all SSL Protocols and make sure that only TLS 1.2 and higher are enabled.
2: Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS
Head over to the VirtualMin Dashboard and go to :-
Server Configuration -> Website Options.
On the bottom of Website and PHP options, you’ll see a Redirect all requests to SSL Site dialog. Make sure that you check on Yes and click on Save below
3: Redirect www to non-www site:
Some site owner prefer the non www version as by default, you’ll be able to access your site via both options and would like to only use one.
Go the VirtualMin Dashboard -> select your Domain Name and head over to the -> Services Option -> Configure SSL Website
Click on the Edit Directives Dialog Box
Remove the line that says:
ServerAlias www.your-domain-name
