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Certbot installation in terminal
Nginx HTTPS redirect configuration
Browser padlock icon verification

Secure with SSL

LAUNCH & OWN ITReady to start
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Overview

About this plan

What's inside: Automated Let's Encrypt installation, HTTPS redirection, and 'Set-and-Forget' auto-renewal.

Automate your SSL issuance with Certbot, force HTTPS redirects in Nginx, and verify your padlock icon on the live web.

Outcome

The Goal

Earn User Trust: Currently, browsers show a "Not Secure" warning on your site. We replace that warning with the professional padlock icon, signaling to users and recruiters that your site is legitimate.

Encrypt Sensitive Data: Don’t leave your users’ passwords or form data exposed. We implement HTTPS to ensure every byte of data traveling between the browser and your AWS server is fully encrypted.

Boost Your Professionalism: Professional developers don’t ship without SSL. This stage completes your production setup, ensuring your project meets modern web standards and SEO requirements.

Audience

Who This Is For

You're Tired of 'Not Secure' WarningsIf your site works but scares away users with red warnings, this is the final step to making your project look finished and trustworthy.
You Have a Login or Sign-Up FormNever ask a user for a password over an unencrypted connection. SSL is a mandatory requirement for any app that handles private user data.
You're Sharing Your Project with RecruitersA "Not Secure" warning on a portfolio project is a red flag for hiring managers. This stage proves you understand modern deployment and security standards.
You Want Your Site to Rank on GoogleGoogle prioritizes secure sites. If you want people to find your app via search, HTTPS is a non-negotiable requirement for modern SEO.

Applications

Best Use Cases

Finalizing Professional Portfolios

Complete the "Last Mile" of your project. A padlock icon tells recruiters that you didn’t just code an app - you shipped a production-ready system.

Launching MVPs with User Accounts

Protect your early adopters. If you are storing user emails or passwords, HTTPS is the baseline for legal and ethical data protection.

Learning Modern Security Infrastructure

Understand the "Certificate Authority" system. Learn how tools like Certbot have revolutionized the web by making encryption accessible to everyone.

Methodology

Why This Approach

Automation Over Manual Work: We use Certbot because it removes the risk of human error. It handles the Nginx configuration changes for you, ensuring your server remains stable.
Zero Cost, High Reward: Let’s Encrypt provides the same level of encryption as paid certificates. We believe security should be a standard, not a luxury.
Forever-Live Certificates: Our setup includes a renewal test. We don’t just install the certificate; we verify that the "Auto-Renew" service is active so your site never goes back to "Not Secure."
Industry Standard Stack: The combination of Nginx, Let’s Encrypt, and Certbot is the most common security stack in the world. The skills you learn here are 100% applicable to any professional role.

Next Steps

What's next?

Congratulations! Your app is live, branded, and fully secured. You have completed the Full-Stack journey from Architecture to Deployment. What will you build next?

Quick Info

Cost1 credit

We use Let’s Encrypt + Certbot on Nginx. This is the industry-standard free path to SSL. If you use a different proxy like Caddy or Traefik, the concepts are the same.

Process

How it works

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Step 1: Domain Readiness Check. We verify your domain is correctly pointed to your AWS IP. SSL certification requires a working "handshake" between the registrar and the server.

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Step 2: Certbot Automation. We use Certbot (the industry-standard tool) to request a free certificate from Let’s Encrypt. This handles the complex cryptography and verification automatically.

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Step 3: The HTTPS Redirect. We configure Nginx to automatically "force" secure connections. If a user types `http`, they are instantly moved to the secure `https` version of your site.

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Step 4: Set-and-Forget Renewal. Let’s Encrypt certificates expire every 90 days. We configure a background "cron job" that renews your certificate automatically, so you never have to think about it again.

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Deliverables

What you'll get

You walk away with a fully secured, production-grade web application. Your site is now encrypted using modern TLS standards, making it safe for logins and data handling. More than just a "Lock Icon," you have implemented a professional security workflow including automated certificate issuance and background renewals. Your project is no longer a prototype; it is a secure public service ready for real users and professional scrutiny.

Verified SSL Certificate: A globally trusted certificate for both your root domain and `www` subdomain, issued by Let’s Encrypt.
Full HTTPS Encryption: Industry-standard TLS encryption protecting all passwords, session cookies, and user-submitted data.
The Browser Padlock: A secure status in the address bar across Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, removing "Not Secure" warnings forever.
Automated Renewal Script: A background service that checks and renews your certificate twice daily, ensuring 100% security uptime.
SEO & Trust Advantage: A site that ranks better in search engines and avoids the high bounce rates caused by browser security warnings.

Prerequisites

Before you begin

Cost

FREE (Let’s Encrypt provides certificates at $0 cost)

Time

10–15 minutes

Requirement

A working domain (e.g., http://myapp.com) and root access to your AWS EC2 server.

Ensure your domain is already pointed to your AWS IP and has been live for at least 30 minutes to ensure smooth certification.

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