Are you looking to boost your website’s security and SEO ranking on AWS?Enabling HTTPS and utilizing alternate domain names are crucial steps in achieving both. This guide will walk you through configuring HTTPS with AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) and managing alternate domain names using CloudFront, ensuring a secure and versatile online presence.
In my previous article, we explored the benefits and functionalities of website hosting on S3 bucket.
Understanding HTTPS and Its Importance
HTTPS, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, encrypts communication between your website and visitors’ browsers. This vital security measure protects sensitive data like login credentials and credit card information from prying eyes.
But HTTPS isn’t just about security. Search engines like Google prioritize websites with HTTPS in their ranking algorithms. This means a secure website is more likely to appear higher in search results, leading to increased organic traffic. Additionally, unsecured websites with the feared “Not Secure” label in browsers can scare away visitors, damaging user trust and conversion rates
Setting Up SSL Certificates with AWS Certificate Manager (ACM)
AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) is a free service that simplifies the process of requesting and managing SSL certificates for your website hosted on AWS. Here’s how to get started:
- Log in to the AWS Management Console and navigate to the ACM service.
2. Click on “Request a certificate”.
3. Select the region as Virginia.
The reason behind selecting the region as Virginia is when creating the cloud front distribution you are allowed to get the SSL certificate from this particular region.
4. Select the certificate type as ‘public certificate’ by selecting ‘Request a public certificate’.
5. Enter your domain name.
You can add another name for this certificate by clicking on ‘Add another name to this certificate’. I added ‘*.’ with my domain name to get this certificate for all my subdomains.
6. Choose the validation method.
- Domain Validation: Verifies ownership of the domain through a DNS record. This is the quickest and easiest option.
- Email Validation: Provides a higher level of trust by verifying your organisation’s identity. This requires additional documentation.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the validation process based on your chosen method.
8. Enter tag name (Optional)
If you are having several SSL certificates for several websites, tag names will help you to identify which certificate is used for the particular website.
The SSL certificate will be validated only after adding DNS records to the domain.
9. Add DNS records to the domain.
Go to your domain provider and add new DNS records.
The type should be ‘CNAME’ and the ‘Name (Host)’ is the ‘CNAME name’ from the SSL certificate. The ‘Alias Of (Points To)’ is the ‘CNAME value’ from the SSL certificate. If you have added several names for the certificate, add DNS record for each name.
The SSL certificate will be validated after adding the DNS records.
Configuring Alternate Domain Names with AWS CloudFront
CloudFront is a content delivery network (CDN) service offered by AWS. It acts as a network of servers geographically distributed around the world, delivering your website content to users with faster loading times and improved performance. CloudFront allows you to manage alternate domain names, also known as CNAMEs (Canonical Name records). These CNAMEs point additional domain names to your website hosted on AWS.
Here’s how to configure alternate domain names with CloudFront:
- Log in to the AWS Management Console and navigate to the CloudFront service.
- Click on “Create a CloudFront Distribution”.
- Under “Origin Settings,” enter the domain name (e.g., S3 bucket) where your website content is hosted. Select the domain name from the list.
Then you will be given a warning recommending to use the S3 website endpoint. Click on ‘Use website endpoint’.
4. In the “Default cache behavior” section, click on “Edit” and configure the following:
- “Viewer Protocol Policy”: Set to “Redirect to HTTPS” to ensure all traffic is directed to the secure version of your website.
5. Under “Web Application Firewall (WAF)” section, choose ‘Do not enable security protections’.
6. Under “Settings,” locate the “Alternate Domain Names (CNAMEs)” section.
7. Enter each of your alternate domain names you want to point to your website and select the SSL certificate.
8. Enter the html file name that you want to load when loading the website for ‘Default root object’.
9. Click on “Create distribution” to complete the configuration.
10. Point your domain to CloudFront distribution URL.
Go to the domain provider and add a new DNS record. Select the type as ‘CNAME’ and enter the name of your website under ‘Name (Host)’. Enter the URL from cloud front distribution for ‘Alias Of (Points To)’.
It will take a few minutes to propagate the DNS record.
Best Practices for Managing HTTPS and Alternate Domains
- Ensure all your alternate domain names point to the HTTPS version of your website. This maintains consistent security and avoids mixed content warnings.
- Keep your SSL certificate up-to-date. Certificates typically expire after a year, so it’s crucial to renew them before expiration to avoid security vulnerabilities.
- Monitor your website for any SSL certificate errors. Tools like Google Search Console can alert you to potential issues.
- Consider using a wildcard SSL certificate if you have multiple subdomains under your main domain name. This simplifies certificate management by covering all subdomains with a single certificate.
Conclusion
This article is a guide for website owners who use AWS to improve their website’s security and reach. It focuses on two key strategies:
- Enabling HTTPS: The guide explains how to use AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) to obtain a free SSL certificate and configure your website to use HTTPS encryption. This protects user data and builds trust with visitors.
- Managing Alternate Domain Names: The guide details how to use CloudFront, a content delivery network (CDN) service offered by AWS, to manage alternate domain names. This allows you to use multiple domain names to point to your website, increasing its reach and branding flexibility.
By implementing these practices, website owners can enhance their website’s security, potentially improve SEO ranking, and provide a more secure and user-friendly experience for visitors.
Ready to take your website to the next level? Start configuring HTTPS and alternate domain names on AWS today!
you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for info approximately this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I have came upon till now. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive about the supply?
Hi there would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a honest price? Thank you, I appreciate it!
Hiya! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when browsing from my iphone 4. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thank you!
I¦ve read a few just right stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot effort you set to make one of these excellent informative website.
Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
Hey very nice website!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also…I am happy to find so many useful info here in the post, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website :).
I got what you intend, regards for posting.Woh I am thankful to find this website through google.
Some really good posts on this site, regards for contribution. “I finally know what distinguishes man from other beasts financial worries. – Journals” by Jules Renard.
Hello! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!
I?¦m now not positive where you’re getting your info, however good topic. I needs to spend a while finding out more or working out more. Thanks for wonderful information I was on the lookout for this info for my mission.
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your web site in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a huge portion of people will miss your great writing due to this problem.
This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
I genuinely enjoy reading on this website , it holds great articles. “We find comfort among those who agree with us–growth among those who don’t.” by Frank A. Clark.
I like this website so much, saved to bookmarks. “American soldiers must be turned into lambs and eating them is tolerated.” by Muammar Qaddafi.
I gotta favorite this web site it seems handy invaluable
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..extra wait .. …
Awsome website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am bookmarking your feeds also
Along with everything that appears to be building within this specific subject matter, all your points of view are somewhat refreshing. However, I appologize, but I do not give credence to your whole theory, all be it refreshing none the less. It looks to me that your opinions are actually not completely rationalized and in fact you are your self not even entirely convinced of your argument. In any case I did appreciate reading through it.
Very interesting topic, thanks for putting up.
I haven’t checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
I’ve been browsing on-line more than 3 hours these days, yet I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It is lovely value enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made just right content material as you did, the net can be much more helpful than ever before.
I am impressed with this internet site, rattling I am a fan.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
It is truly a nice and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appearance. I must say you have done a very good job with this. Also, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Opera. Excellent Blog!
Dead written content material, Really enjoyed reading through.
Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to claim that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing for your augment and even I success you get entry to persistently quickly.
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
I?¦m now not certain the place you are getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or figuring out more. Thank you for magnificent information I was looking for this information for my mission.
I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
Bravo, this excellent idea is necessary just by the way
Some really interesting info , well written and broadly user pleasant.
Enjoyed looking through this, very good stuff, regards.
I have learn a few just right stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create any such great informative website.
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.
Wow! This could be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Wonderful. I am also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.
Good – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.
Thank you, I have recently been looking for info approximately this topic for a long time and yours is the best I’ve came upon till now. However, what about the bottom line? Are you positive about the source?
I really like your writing style, wonderful info, appreciate it for posting :D. “Kennedy cooked the soup that Johnson had to eat.” by Konrad Adenauer.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist different customers like its aided me. Good job.
Excellent web site. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you in your effort!
Great post, I think people should larn a lot from this web site its really user genial.
You need to participate in a contest for top-of-the-line blogs on the web. I’ll advocate this site!
Thank you for every other informative website. Where else may just I am getting that kind of information written in such an ideal method? I’ve a challenge that I am simply now running on, and I have been at the look out for such info.
You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be really something which I feel I might by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely large for me. I’m looking forward for your next put up, I will attempt to get the hold of it!
Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Appreciate it
Nice post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specially the final part 🙂 I handle such information much. I was seeking this certain info for a very lengthy time. Thank you and good luck.
Some genuinely nice and utilitarian information on this internet site, likewise I believe the pattern has got superb features.
I have been surfing online greater than three hours today, but I by no means found any interesting article like yours. It’s beautiful price enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good content material as you did, the web will likely be a lot more useful than ever before. “Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.” by Lawrence Peter Berra.
naturally like your web site but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I’ll certainly come back again.
I’m really impressed along with your writing skills as smartly as with the layout in your blog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you modify it your self? Either way stay up the nice high quality writing, it is rare to look a great blog like this one nowadays..
Perfect piece of work you have done, this web site is really cool with fantastic information.
Can I simply say what a reduction to find someone who really knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You positively know tips on how to convey a difficulty to light and make it important. More individuals have to read this and perceive this facet of the story. I cant imagine youre no more popular because you positively have the gift.
Some really good content on this web site, appreciate it for contribution. “When he has ceased to hear the many, he may discern the One – the inner sound which kills the outer.” by H Hahn Blavatsky.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
Its superb as your other blog posts : D, appreciate it for putting up.
Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was looking for! “Being rich is having money being wealthy is having time.” by Margaret Bonnano.
With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement? My website has a lot of unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my permission. Do you know any ways to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d certainly appreciate it.
You actually make it appear so easy together with your presentation however I to find this matter to be really one thing which I believe I would by no means understand. It seems too complicated and very extensive for me. I’m looking forward in your next publish, I will attempt to get the dangle of it!