How does the shared SSL work?

Please note: using the temporary domain/server name to generate an SSL certificate is rarely useful on modern configurations of cPanel. If you want a free SSL certificate that is specific to your domain name, see our article on the Complete Guide to cPanel’s auto-enabled forever AutoSSL.

What is the Shared SSL?

The Shared SSL bypasses the need for purchasing a SSL certificate. The Shared certificate does not use your domain name. The server host name and cPanel username work together for a secure connection to happen. The Shared SSL looks identical to the Temporary URL, except for the server name and username. An example of a temporary URL is like following example:

Temporary URL

http://biz91.inmotionhosting.com/~userna5

The Shared SSL will look the same except the server name changes to secure and the http is https.

Shared SSL URL

https://secure91.inmotionhosting.com/~userna5

You can access your server through both the Temp url and the Shared URL. To test this find your Temp URL in your technical details in AMP and view it on your browser. Then alter the Temp URL so its the Shared SSL and view it in your browser.

How does Shared SSL work?

When you access your website normally you access over port 80. Port 80 is a non-SSL connection. There is no encryption over this port. The Shared SSL works over port 443. Data that travels to a client from the server over port 443 is encrypted. SSL certificates must have a hostname to work. InMotion Hosting installs valid SSL certificates using the hostname of all shared servers. An example of a hostname is secure91.inmotionhosting.com. Any connection over that specific hostname will allow data encryption. The SSL is “shared” by adding a unique Cpanel account name to the hostname. The server knows how to find your website when you access your URL with your cPanel username.

Basic implementation of the Shared SSL

Implementing the shared SSL on your website is easy! You can, in most cases, add the URL into your shopping cart configuration. Check the articles below for more information on how to use the shared SSL in your Shopping cart software. You will also need to check with your website developer on how your shopping cart was set up.

Use a SSL certificate with PHP-Nuke
How to enable SSL connection in OpenCart
SSL Setup for CubeCart
How to Force SSL in Joomla
Forcing Moodle 2.3 to work over SSL
How to use a Shared SSL with Movable Type

We also have our Ecommerce Getting Started guide that helps you with the SSL set up at the following link.

E-Commerce: Step 6 – Configuring SSL

You can also force the site to go to https using the htaccess file. Please see the following link on this.

How to force a dedicated SSL using the .htaccess file
Forcing your Website’s visitors to use the shared SSL