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Configuring SSL Certificates in IONOS Hosting

Master configuring and deploying included free DigiCert SSL Wildcard certificates to custom domains using the IONOS Cloud hosting control panel.

This practical course walks you through securing web properties hosted with IONOS. You will learn how to navigate the account dashboard, verify domain certificate status, choose the included free SSL Starter Wildcard option, configure deployment targets, and verify successful activation.

Section 1: SSL Activation and Domain Security

Learn how to access SSL settings, provision a free certificate, and bind it to an active domain.

Lesson 1.1: Dashboard Navigation and SSL Selection

  • Identifying unencrypted domains
  • Accessing the Domains & SSL menu
  • Selecting the free Starter Wildcard certificate

When managing domains in IONOS, SSL certificates are not always applied automatically upon purchase. You can verify whether a domain has SSL enabled by examining its status row in the 'Domains & SSL' table. An unconfigured domain displays a padlock with a diagonal slash or cancel mark, and the SSL Certificates widget on the right sidebar displays '0 of 1 used'. To begin setup, open the main account Menu in the upper navigation bar and choose 'Domains & SSL'. In the portfolio column, locate the 'SSL Certificates' section and click 'Manage'. From the SSL management overview, click 'Set up SSL Certificate'. IONOS displays multiple certificate tiers, including paid business offerings; select the free 'SSL Starter Wildcard' (powered by DigiCert) and click 'Activate Now'.

Practical work

  1. Log into your IONOS account and navigate to Menu > Domains & SSL.
  2. Inspect the SSL status column and the right-hand SSL Certificates portfolio block.
  3. Click 'Manage' under SSL Certificates and open the 'Set up SSL Certificate' workflow.

Lesson 1.2: Domain Binding and Status Verification

  • Assigning the target domain
  • Selecting usage type
  • Accepting terms and completing setup
  • Verifying active certificate status

Once you enter the setup interface for the SSL Starter Wildcard certificate, select your domain from the domain assignment field. You will then specify how the certificate will be used. IONOS allows you to choose between using the certificate with an IONOS website or deploying it to your own external server. After setting the usage configuration, check the box agreeing to the Terms of Use and click 'Set Up SSL Certificate'. Once the confirmation notification confirms successful completion, return to the Domains & SSL dashboard. If the icon has not updated immediately, reload the dashboard or return to Home and re-enter the section. An active SSL configuration displays a solid green padlock next to the domain name and indicates 1 of 1 certificates used in the portfolio sidebar.

Practical work

  1. Select your target domain from the domain selection field in the setup wizard.
  2. Choose 'Use with my IONOS website' (or external server depending on your deployment target).
  3. Check the agreement terms checkbox and click 'Set Up SSL Certificate'.
  4. Refresh the Domains & SSL view and confirm the green lock icon is active.