The Consequences of an Expired SSL Certificate

An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that ensures private and secure communication by encrypting data exchanged between a user's browser and a website's server. It is a must for websites to have SSL certificates for protecting sensitive information, building trust with users, and improving search engine rankings.

The SSL certificate guarantees the verification of a website's owner and establishes a secure pathway for interacting with the server. But SSL certificates come with expiration dates and do not remain valid indefinitely. Similar to a driver's license, an SSL certificate has a limited lifespan.

So What Happens when an SSL Certificate Expires? The outcome is significant network disruptions that result in compromised network security.

Why does an SSL Certificate Expire?

SSL certificates are issued by a Certificate Authority (CA), a reputable third-party organization (like Comodo, Sectigo, Certera, DigiCert). These certificates come with predetermined expiration dates, typically spanning 1 to 2 years from the date of issuance, a timeline set by the CA. These dates signify the point at which the data used to generate the SSL certificate loses its reliability and needs to be refreshed.

Generally, these digital certifications expire to ensure the ongoing security of your website. The periodic renewal of your SSL certificate is enforced to keep your website's security current. This practice ensures that you consistently adopt the latest TLS versions and ciphers.

What occurs when an SSL Certificate Expires?

As SSL certificates reach expiration, web browsers will notify you of your website's status. You will get a message on your website like, "Your connection is not private." Once an SSL certificate expires, it becomes impossible to engage in confidential and securely encrypted HTTPS communication. All data will be transmitted without encryption, exposing your (or your client's) information to potential threats from network intruders or malicious users.

Fixing the Expired SSL Certificate

Maintaining awareness of certificate validity periods is crucial to avoiding encountering such significant situations within your organization. Certain Certificate Authorities (CAs) notify their clients about 30 to 60 days prior to the expiration of their certificates. Moreover, regular renewal reminders are dispatched to the user's registered email address 30 days, 15 days, 7 days, and 1 day ahead of the expiration date.

To fix an expired SSL Certificate, you should consider purchasing a new one. Purchase the certificate that best suits your website from reputed CAs like Certera, Comodo or Sectigo. If your website isn’t dealing with any sensitive data like user credit card numbers, then Buy Cheap SSL Certificate like CerteraSSL or Comodo Positive SSL. On the other hand, if your website deals with critical information, then go with a more advanced SSL like Digicert Secure Site SSL or Comodo Instant SSL Pro.

To conclude, remaining vigilant and renewing your SSL certificates prior to their expiration is of the utmost importance. This ensures that your website stays safe and secure and also maintains its status as a trusted and reliable platform.