Free SSL certificates: how HTTPS works on your service

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Included at no cost When the certificate is issued Renewal Troubleshooting

How APEX HostMate issues free Let's Encrypt SSL certificates for your website and redirects, how they renew, and what to do if your browser shows a warning.

Included at no cost

Your website is secured with a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate, so visitors connect over HTTPS and see the padlock in their browser. You do not need to buy, install or renew anything yourself.

When the certificate is issued

Your free apexhostmate.com subdomain — the certificate is issued automatically when your service is set up.
Your own domain — the certificate can only be issued once the domain points to your service, because Let's Encrypt checks that the domain really leads to it. Set up your DNS first (see Manage DNS records for your domain).
Redirect records (RDR) — HTTPS for redirects is set up automatically.

Renewal

Let's Encrypt certificates are valid for a short period and are renewed automatically before they expire. There is nothing for you to do.

Troubleshooting

What you see	Cause and fix
Your connection is not private on your own domain	The domain did not yet point to your service when it was set up, so a temporary certificate is in use. Check your DNS, then open a ticket and we will issue the Let's Encrypt certificate.
Some pages show a broken or crossed-out padlock	The page loads images or scripts over `http://`. Change those links to `https://`.
Error right after a DNS change	Wait for the change to spread (up to 24–48 hours for nameserver changes), then try again.

Note: Free certificates are domain-validated. If you need an organisation-validated (OV) or extended-validation (EV) certificate for business or tender requirements, contact us.

Still need help?

Our Oracle APEX specialists are happy to help. Critical issues get a first response within 15 minutes, 24/7.

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