Your Free SSL Certificate (AutoSSL)

Every website hosted with Exact Hosting is eligible for a free SSL certificate at no extra cost. This article explains what that certificate does, how it is issued and renewed automatically, and how to confirm it is active on your site.

What SSL does for your site

An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between your website and your visitors. With a valid certificate, your site loads over https:// and shows a padlock icon in the browser. Without one, browsers display a "Not Secure" warning that can scare visitors away and hurt your search ranking.

Exact Hosting provides this certificate through AutoSSL, a cPanel feature that issues and renews free domain-validated (DV) certificates automatically. You do not need to buy anything or install it by hand. [SME CONFIRM: that the free certificate is AutoSSL-issued and the certificate authority (Let's Encrypt, Sectigo, or cPanel's own) — needed for an accurate description and renewal details.]

If you need a higher-assurance certificate (for example, organization-validated or with a warranty), Exact Hosting also offers paid SSL products. See the addon SSL and SSL installation articles.

Before you begin

• Your domain must point to your Exact Hosting account. AutoSSL can only secure domains that resolve to your server. See Pointing Your Domain to Your Exact Hosting Account.
• cPanel access, to check certificate status.

How AutoSSL issues your certificate

In most cases there is nothing to do — AutoSSL issues your free certificate automatically once your domain points to your account, usually within a few hours. [SME CONFIRM: typical issuance window and that it runs automatically on shared plans.]

AutoSSL covers:

• Your main domain
• Addon domains and subdomains on your account
• The www version of each

Step 1: Check whether your certificate is active

The quickest check is in your browser.

1. Visit your site using https://yourdomain.com.
2. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar.
3. Select the padlock to confirm the connection is secure and the certificate is valid.

Step 2: Confirm AutoSSL status in cPanel

If the padlock is missing or you want details, check cPanel.

1. Sign in to cPanel.
2. In the Security section, select SSL/TLS Status. [SME CONFIRM: tool name in the current cPanel theme.]
3. Review the list of your domains and their certificate status. Domains covered by AutoSSL are marked accordingly.
4. If a domain is not yet covered, select Run AutoSSL to trigger a new check.

Note: AutoSSL can only secure a domain that is currently pointing to your Exact Hosting server. If a domain shows as not covered, confirm its DNS first.

Step 3: Make your site use HTTPS

A certificate secures the connection, but your site also needs to send visitors to the https:// version.

• For WordPress and most applications, set your site URL to https:// in the settings, or use the protocol option when installing through Softaculous.
• If some page elements still load over http://, you may see a "Not Secure" or mixed-content warning. See Fixing 'Not Secure' / Mixed-Content SSL Warnings.

How renewal works

AutoSSL certificates renew automatically before they expire, as long as your domain continues to point to your Exact Hosting account. There is nothing to renew manually. [SME CONFIRM: renewal cadence — Let's Encrypt/cPanel AutoSSL typically renews well before the ~90-day term — and confirm the certificate validity period for an accurate statement.]

Warning: If you move your domain's DNS away from Exact Hosting, AutoSSL can no longer validate it and the free certificate will stop renewing. Keep your domain pointed here to maintain the certificate.

Next steps

• Fix browser security warnings. See Fixing 'Not Secure' / Mixed-Content SSL Warnings.
• Use a paid certificate. See the addon SSL and SSL installation articles.
• Renew or troubleshoot a certificate. See Renewing & Troubleshooting Your SSL Certificate.

Questions? Contact Exact Hosting Support.