How to create an SSL certificate with OpenSSL for use with Apache

Here are the easy steps needed to create a certificate for use with Apache using OpenSSL.

 

First you need to create a private key to use with your certificate.

openssl genrsa 2048 > priv.key

You then need to make a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) where you fill in a lot of information. The most important information to fill in is the Common Name (eg, YOUR name). Type in the name of the web server (www.helge.net) or similar.

openssl req -new -key priv.key -out cert.csr

You can now send your CSR to an online certificate authority. They will know what to do with it. In return they will send back a certificate you can use with your web server.

More detailed information can be found here.