Getting Started with Standard Wildcard SSL
A standard wildcard SSL certificate secures unlimited subdomains on a single domain name using an asterisk (*). It allows you to secure www.yourdomain.com, mail.yourdomain.com, login.yourdomain.com, etc. with a single SSL certificate.
Standard wildcard certificates are among the most popular types of SSL certificates because of their convenience and flexibility in securing multiple subdomains. They are issued by certificate authorities (CAs) like DigiCert, Sectigo, GlobalSign, etc., after validating the domain name ownership.
Key Takeaways
- A standard wildcard SSL certificate secures unlimited subdomains of a domain name using an asterisk (*).
- It allows securing www.yourdomain.com, mail.yourdomain.com, login.yourdomain.com, etc., with a single certificate.
- Wildcard certificates provide 128/256-bit encryption and activate the padlock and HTTPS in the browser.
- CAs issue them like DigiCert, Sectigo, and GlobalSign after the domain validation process.
- Wildcard certificates are cheaper than individual certificates for each subdomain.
- They come with a 30–90-day money-back guarantee in case of dissatisfaction.
A Basic Overview of Wildcard SSL Certificate
A wildcard SSL certificate is a specific type of SSL certificate that secures an unlimited number of subdomains for a particular domain name using an asterisk (*) wildcard character.
For example, a wildcard certificate issued for *.yourdomain.com can secure:
- www.yourdomain.com
- mail.yourdomain.com
- login.yourdomain.com
- images.yourdomain.com
- Basically, any subdomain of yourdomain.com
The wildcard character (*) replaces multiple subdomains to provide a secure connection across the entire domain and all its subdomains.
The main benefit of a wildcard SSL certificate is the convenience and cost savings of securing multiple subdomains with a single certificate. You don’t have to purchase separate SSL certificates for each subdomain you need to secure.
What are the Difference between Wildcard, Multi-domain, and UCC Certificates
There are some other SSL certificates, like Multi-Domain SSL and UCC certificates, that also secure multiple domain names and seem similar to wildcard certificates.
Here are the differences:
- Wildcard – Secures unlimited subdomains of one domain name (e.g., *.yourdomain.com).
- Multi-domain – Secures up to 250 different domain names (yourdomain.com, otherdomain.org, examplesite.net, etc.).
- UCC (Unified Communications Certificate) – Secures one domain name and up to 250 additional domain names or subdomains.
Purpose and Benefits of a Wildcard SSL
Here are some of the key benefits and purposes of a wildcard SSL certificate:
Secure Unlimited Subdomains
The primary purpose of a wildcard SSL is to secure unlimited subdomains for a domain using a single certificate. This includes all existing subdomains as well as any new ones you may add in the future.
For example, a wildcard for *.yourbrand.com can secure www.yourbrand.com, mail.yourbrand.com, login.yourbrand.com, images.yourbrand.com, blogs.yourbrand.com etc.
You don’t need to worry about expanding subdomains.
Encrypt Data Transfer
A wildcard SSL encrypts data transfer between the web browser and web server using SSL/TLS protocols. This prevents any data breach during the transit.
Wildcard SSLs use a minimum of 128-bit encryption, which is considered industry standard. High-security wildcards use 256-bit encryption.
Enable HTTPS & Padlock
The wildcard SSL activates the HTTPS protocol and padlock icon in web browsers. This provides visual trust signals to website visitors that your website is secure.
One-time Investment
You purchase a wildcard SSL certificate once rather than buying certificates for each subdomain, which makes it very cost-effective for managing multiple subdomains.
Quick & Easy Installation
Wildcard SSLs are based on domain validation only so that they can be issued and installed within minutes or hours of purchase validation.
Flexibility for Future Growth
Your website may start with 2-3 subdomains today but grow to 15-20 subdomains over time. A wildcard SSL easily handles this future growth.
SEO Ranking Benefits
Enabling HTTPS across all your subdomains can improve your Google SEO rankings. Google gives preference to secure HTTPS websites.
What is a Standard Wildcard SSL?
A standard wildcard SSL certificate is the base domain validated (DV) wildcard certificate provided by certificate authorities like DigiCert, Sectigo, GlobalSign, etc.
It validates ownership of the root domain only via methods like email and gives you a wildcard certificate for unlimited subdomains.
The standards wildcard SSLs have the following attributes:
- Secures unlimited subdomains with *.yourdomain.com wildcard
- Domain validated only (DV)
- 128-bit minimum encryption
- Trusted by all browsers
- 30-90 days refund period
- 1-2 years validity
- $150 – $500 typical price range
The standard wildcard is cheap and convenient for most small-to-medium sites. For businesses that need maximum security, premium wildcards with 256-bit encryption, multi-domain coverage, and extended validation support are available.
Standard wildcards strike the right balance between affordability and good security for covering all subdomains of a domain.
How Does a Wildcard SSL Certificate Work?
Here is a quick overview of how a standard wildcard SSL certificate works:
- Domain Validation: You first need to prove ownership of the root domain to the certificate authority (CA) via methods such as email, DNS, etc.
- Issuance: Once the domain is validated, the CA issues a wildcard SSL certificate containing public and private keys along with your organization’s details.
- Installation: You install the wildcard SSL certificate on your web server and link it with the private key.
- Activate HTTPS: The wildcard SSL activates HTTPS, encrypts connections, and displays padlocks in browsers for all subdomains.
- Renewal: To maintain security, The SSL must be renewed before its expiration date. A renewal only requires reissuing the certificate.
The process is quick and easy, thanks to the automated domain validation methods used by CAs for issuing standard wildcard certificates.
The wildcard also makes the renewal and addition of new subdomains seamless, as a single cert provides coverage for unlimited subdomains.
Where to Buy a Standard Wildcard SSL Certificate?
You can buy a standard wildcard SSL certificate from any reputed CA (certificate authority) like:
- DigiCert: The world’s leading SSL provider with unmatched expertise and support. DigiCert wildcards are trusted by 99% of browsers.
- Sectigo: Enterprise-grade certificates with an innovative warranty program. Sectigo is one of the oldest CAs since 1998.
- GlobalSign: Affordable wildcard certificates backed by strong security features like daily malware scanning.
- RapidSSL: Budget wildcard SSL certificates starting at $149/year.
- GoDaddy: A well-known domain registrar that also offers competitively priced SSL certificates.
- Network Solutions: Complete online business solutions, including domain names, hosting, emails, SSL certificates, etc.
When choosing a CA, consider factors such as reputation, warranties, support levels, ease of issuance and renewal, and any special features that may benefit you.
The top CAs will make the process very smooth from purchase to installation to renewal. However, check out pricing among CAs, as there can be significant differences.
For most small to medium sites, any trusted CA will be sufficient for standard wildcard SSL certificates, given their simple domain validation process.
However, for large enterprises and ecommerce sites handling sensitive data, CAs like DigiCert and Sectigo offer high-assurance certificates, malware scanning tools, and technical support resources to meet compliance and security needs.
What are the Validation Process for a Wildcard SSL
Wildcard SSL certificates go through a simple and automated domain validation process to verify your control and own the root domain. This allows instant issuance of the certificate.
Here are the typical steps in the validation process:
- Root Domain Verification: You first provide the root domain name for wildcard SSL. e.g. yourdomain.com
- Authorization Email: The CA will send an authorization email to the contact email address listed for that domain name.
- Confirm Email: By clicking the confirmation link in the email, you validate control/ownership of the domain.
- Automatic Validation: The CA also does live or DNS-based checks to ensure domain ownership.
- Issuance: Once domain ownership is validated, the wildcard SSL certificate is issued within minutes/hours.
- Installation: Finally, you need to install the wildcard on your web server and configure it with the private key.
Domain validation is mandatory for all SSL certificates to issue trusted certificates. The automated checks provide quick and low-friction issuance for standard wildcard SSLs.
What is Included in a Wildcard SSL Certificate?
A standard wildcard SSL certificate contains the following components:
- Public Key: This is part of the public-private key pair that enables encrypted HTTPS connections.
- Private Key: Your web server keeps the private key secret to decrypt information encrypted with the public key.
- Common Name: This contains the wildcard domain such as *.yourdomain.com.
- Issuing CA: Denotes the certificate authority issuing the SSL certificate.
- Expiry Date: The date until which the certificate will remain valid, typically 1-2 years.
- Organization Details: Your company name, address, country, etc.
- Signature Algorithm: Used to generate the encrypted public and private keys. Minimum 128-bit for standard wildcard.
Technical Requirements for Installing a Wildcard SSL
To install and use a wildcard SSL certificate, your web server environment must meet the following technical requirements:
- Web Server Software: Compatible web server software like Apache, IIS, Nginx, etc. are installed.
- Public & Private Keys: Must be correctly generated and configured with the certificate.
- Domain Control: Full control of the domain’s DNS settings to configure records if needed.
- Root Access: Admin-level access to your web server to install the SSL certificate and configure settings.
- Dedicated IP: A dedicated unique IP address for your web server, mandatory for all SSL certificates.
- Correct Server Type: The certificate must match your web server type, e.g., Apache vs IIS certificates.
How Much Does a Standard Wildcard SSL Cost?
Standard wildcard SSL certificates typically cost between $150: $500 per year, depending on the certificate authority. Here are some sample price ranges:
- Entry-level wildcards: Start around $150: $250 per year. Have basic 128-bit encryption and browser support.
- Business-tier wildcards Range from $250 to $400 per year. They have 256-bit encryption and some added security features.
- Enterprise-grade wildcards: Cost $400: $500. Have 256-bit or higher encryption, extended validation support, and premium features.
- Free wildcard certificates: Some CAs offer free 90-day wildcards but limited encryption and features. Useful for testing.
- Multi-year discounts: Significant cost savings when buying 2-3 years upfront instead of yearly.
Apart from the certificate cost, you also need to factor in web hosting charges for installing SSLs, which can typically range from $0 to $100 per year.
What is Difference between Wildcard & UCC SSL Certificates
UCC (Unified Communications Certificate) is another flexible SSL certificate that can secure multiple domains and subdomains. This leads to common confusion between UCC and wildcard SSL certificates.
The key differences are:
- Wildcard: Secures unlimited subdomains of one root domain (e.g., *.domain.com)
- UCC: Secures one base domain + up to 100 additional domain names/subdomains.
UCC allows more total domains but requires listing all subdomains upfront, unlike wildcard. Both options provide flexibility over single-domain SSLs. The choice depends on your specific subdomain and domain needs.
Renewal Process for Wildcard SSL Certificates
Wildcard SSL certificates need to be renewed before expiration to maintain active security on your website. The renewal process is quick and seamless.
Here is an overview of renewing a wildcard SSL:
- Expiry Notifications: CAs send renewal reminders as your certificate expiry approaches.
- Re-verify Domain: You re-confirm control of your domain via authorization email or other automated methods.
- New Certificate: The CA generates and provides a new wildcard certificate with an updated validity period.
- Install Certificate: You install the new wildcard on your web server, replacing the existing one.
- Update Expiry: The new expiration date gets updated across all your subdomains with the renewed certificate.
No change in the private key is needed when renewing like this. The renewal takes only minutes or hours, and most CAs offer automated capabilities to revalidate domains upon expiry.
Revoking a Wildcard SSL Certificate
In certain situations, like a security compromise, you may need to revoke your wildcard SSL certificate before its expiry:
- Contact your issuing CA to request revocation of the certificate.
- The CA will add the certificate’s serial number to their Certificate Revocation List (CRL).
- Web browsers check the CRL and will show revoked certificates as invalid.
- You need to replace the revoked wildcard with a new valid certificate to restore security.
Revocation ensures compromised certificates are instantly invalidated across browsers before their expiry. However, it also needs to replace the certificate, so only revoke it when absolutely necessary.
Pros & Cons of Standard Wildcard SSL Certificates
Pros of Standard Wildcard SSL Certificates
- Cost savings from securing unlimited subdomains with one certificate
- It is convenient to implement SSL across the entire domain
- No disruption when adding or changing subdomains
- Quick and easy domain-validated issuance process
- Flexibility to accommodate website growth
Cons of Standard Wildcard SSL Certificates
- It is not ideal for large enterprises with many different domains
- More expensive than a single domain certificate
- Issuing organization info visible to the public
- Requires re-installation when switching domains
- It doesn’t differentiate internal subdomains’ identity
Alternatives to Wildcard SSL Certificates
Some alternatives to consider instead of or along with wildcard SSLs:
- Multi-domain certificates: To secure multiple different domains under one certificate
- UCC certificates: Allows a mix of different domains and subdomains
- Single domain certificates: For specific domains that need custom validation, such as www or login
- Free SSL certificates: Okay for testing/staging but not for production sites
- CDN SSL: Handles SSL at the network level; can complement domain SSLs
Final Thoughts
A standard wildcard SSL certificate is a powerful tool for securing multiple subdomains under a single domain. By using a wildcard certificate, businesses can protect their entire website ecosystem, from the main domain to all subdomains, with a single SSL/TLS certificate. This simplifies certificate management, reduces costs, and provides a consistent level of encryption across the entire website.
Wildcard SSL certificates are particularly useful for organizations with a large web presence, dynamic subdomains, or a need to quickly add new subdomains without the hassle of obtaining separate SSL/TLS certificates. Overall, the standard wildcard SSL certificate is an efficient and cost-effective solution for comprehensive website security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a wildcard SSL certificate and a regular SSL certificate?
A regular SSL certificate secures one single domain name (example.com), while a wildcard SSL secures unlimited subdomains of a domain name (*.example.com).
How many subdomains can a wildcard SSL secure?
A wildcard SSL can technically secure unlimited subdomains for a domain name.
Do I need a dedicated IP for a wildcard SSL?
Yes, you need a dedicated unique IP address for your web server to install any SSL certificate, including wildcards. Shared IPs cannot have SSL.
Are wildcard certificates more expensive?
Wildcard SSLs cost more than single domain certificates but are cheaper than buying individual certificates for each subdomain. They are typically 2-3 times the price of a single domain certificate.
How long does it take to issue a wildcard SSL certificate?
CAs can issue standard wildcard SSL certificates in minutes or hours because they use automated domain validation methods.
What is the warranty period for wildcard SSL certificates?
Most CAs offer a 30- to 90-day money-back guarantee on wildcard SSL certificates if you are dissatisfied with the product.
Can we use a wildcard SSL certificate with a load balancer?
Yes, you can install a wildcard SSL certificate on a load balancer to secure multiple subdomains and servers behind it.
What is the difference between Wildcard SSL and Multi-domain SSL?
A wildcard SSL secures unlimited subdomains of a single root domain, while a multi-domain SSL secures multiple different domain names.
How do I renew a wildcard SSL certificate?
Renewal only requires reissuing the certificate. The CA will automatically revalidate domain ownership and provide an updated wildcard cert to install.
What is the typical validity period for a wildcard SSL cert?
Most wildcard SSL certificates have a validity period of 1-2 years. Some CAs offer 3-5 years, but browsers may stop trusting them sooner.
Priya Mervana
Verified Web Security Experts
Priya Mervana is working at SSLInsights.com as a web security expert with over 10 years of experience writing about encryption, SSL certificates, and online privacy. She aims to make complex security topics easily understandable for everyday internet users.
