In today’s digital age, securing your website with an SSL certificate is crucial. Without one, major web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari may flag your site as unsafe, potentially resulting in a loss of trust from visitors and exclusion from search engine results. But what if you don’t have a domain name? Can you still obtain an SSL certificate? This article explores this question and provides comprehensive insights into SSL certificates for public IP addresses.
Table of Contents
- Can You Get an SSL Without a Domain Name?
- How to Secure an IP Address With an SSL Cert?
- How to Install an SSL Certificate Without a Domain Name?
- What Are the Benefits of a Public IP Address Certificate?
- Public IP Address SSL Certificate Example
- What SSL Certificates Can I Get Without a Domain Name?
Can You Get an SSL Without a Domain Name?
The short answer is yes, you can obtain an SSL certificate without a domain name. While SSL certificates are typically designed to secure Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs), certain Certificate Authorities (CAs) issue specialized SSL certificates to protect public IP addresses.
To acquire an SSL certificate without a domain name, you must demonstrate ownership and control of the IP address associated with your server. This validation is essential for the CA to issue the certificate. It’s important to note that if you intend to secure a private IP within your network, it’s not possible with an SSL certificate issued by a public CA.
How to Secure an IP Address With an SSL Cert?
Now that you know it’s possible to secure an IP address with an SSL certificate let’s delve into the process. Securing an IP address is slightly different from securing a domain name.
- Validation: To secure an IP address, you’ll need to configure the SSL certificate and pass the HTTP/HTTPS validation process. The exact procedure may vary depending on the certificate authority. For example, GoGetSSL may require users to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) without a Common Name (CN). If you’re securing a router instead of a server, you’ll need to reroute the IP address to a server temporarily, pass the IP validation, and then reroute the IP address back to the router.
- Installation: Installing an SSL certificate without a domain name is similar to installing a certificate for a hostname. The installation process can vary depending on the web server or network appliance you’re using. You should refer to their documentation or follow a specific SSL installation tutorial. In most cases, you’ll need to:
- Wait for the CA to deliver the SSL files to your email address.
- Download and extract the ZIP archive containing the SSL certificate files.
- Upload the primary certificate (issued for your public IP) and intermediate certificates to your server in the correct order.
- Restart your system and test the HTTPS installation.
What Are the Benefits of a Public IP Address Certificate?
Securing a public IP address with an SSL certificate offers several advantages, including:
- Verified Identity: An SSL padlock icon next to the IP address indicates enhanced trust and security measures. Users can inspect the certificate to verify the subject and issuer, increasing their confidence in the connection.
- Extra IP Address Use: Some services require IP SSL authentication. With browsers now demanding SSL certificates for secure web page display, an IP address SSL certificate is essential for many organizations.
- Visible Encryption: Web encryption safeguards sensitive communications between browsers and servers. An IP address SSL certificate prevents shared data from being intercepted and tampered with, ensuring that personal information reaches its intended destination securely.
Public IP Address SSL Certificate Example
To see an example of a secure public IP address, simply type 1.1.1.1 into your browser. This IP address is used by Cloudflare, a popular content delivery network, and offers a free app to enhance internet security.
Cloudflare employs a public IP address SSL certificate from DigiCert. While our SSL certificates offer the same level of encryption, this example showcases the security and trust that a public IP address SSL certificate can provide.
What SSL Certificates Can I Get Without a Domain Name?
Just like with regular SSL certificates, you have various validation options, including Domain Validation (DV) and Business Validation (BV). Additionally, you can secure multiple IP addresses under a single SSL certificate.
However, it’s important to note that as of 2016, intranet SSL certificates for private/intranet IP addresses are no longer supported. Extended Validation (EV) certificates also do not support public IP address encryption. Therefore, you have a limited selection of certificates to choose from for this purpose.
At SSL Dragon, we offer the Sectigo Instant SSL Premium, an affordable BV certificate capable of securing a public IP address, and the GoGetSSL Public IP SAN, a multi-domain DV certificate for IPs that can be obtained within minutes.
Sectigo Instant SSL Premium Features:
- Highest level of encryption and the latest security protocols
- Business Validation
- Dynamic site seal to enhance customer trust
- $250,000 warranty for added peace of mind
- 99.3% browser support
- Full compatibility with major server platforms and email clients
GoGetSSL Public IP SAN Features:
- Highest level of encryption and the latest security protocols
- Secures multiple IP addresses
- Includes 2 Public IP Subject Alternative Names (SANs) by default
- Ability to encrypt up to 250 additional SANs on request
- Quick domain validation with no documents required
- Static site seal to boost visitors’ trust
- $50,000 SSL warranty against potential breaches
- Supported by 99.3% of browsers
- Full compatibility with most servers and email clients
Conclusion
“Can I buy an SSL cert without owning a domain?” is a common question, and as this article demonstrates, the answer is yes. Obtaining an SSL certificate without a domain name is not only possible but also necessary for organizations and individuals who need to protect a public IP address. If you fall into this category, our shop offers a range of affordable IP address certificates to meet your needs.