68 lines
2.9 KiB
Markdown
68 lines
2.9 KiB
Markdown
Using SSL with Friendica
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=====================================
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* [Home](help)
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Disclaimer
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---
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**This document has been updated in November 2016.
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SSL encryption is relevant for security.
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This means that recommended settings change fast.
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Keep your setup up to date and do not rely on this document being updated as fast as technologies change!**
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Intro
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---
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If you are running your own Friendica site, you may want to use SSL (https) to encrypt communication between servers and between yourself and your server.
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There are basically two sorts of SSL certificates: Self-signed certificates and certificates signed by a certificate authority (CA).
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Technically, both provide the same valid encryption.
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There is a problem with self-signed certificates though:
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They are neither installed in browsers nor on other servers.
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That is why they provoke warnings about "mistrusted certificates".
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This is confusing and disturbing.
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For this reason, we recommend to get a certificate signed by a CA.
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Normally, you have to pay for them - and they are valid for a limited period of time (e.g. a year or two).
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There are ways to get a trusted certificate for free.
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Chose your domain name
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---
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Your SSL certificate will be valid for a domain or even only for a subdomain.
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Make your final decision about your domain resp. subdomain *before* ordering the certificate.
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Once you have it, changing the domain name means getting a new certificate.
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Shared hosts
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---
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If your Friendica instance is running on a shared hosting platform, you should first check with your hosting provider.
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They have instructions for you on how to do it there.
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You can always order a paid certificate with your provider.
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They will either install it for you or provide an easy way to upload the certificate and the key via a web interface.
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With some providers, you have to send them your certificate.
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They need the certificate, the key and the CA's intermediate certificate.
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To be sure, send those three files.
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**You should send them to your provider via an encrypted channel!**
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Own server
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---
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If you run your own server, we recommend to check out the ["Let's Encrypt" initiative](https://letsencrypt.org/).
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Not only do they offer free SSL certificates, but also a way to automate their renewal.
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You need to install a client software on your server to use it.
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Instructions for the official client are [here](https://certbot.eff.org/).
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Depending on your needs, you might want to look at the [list of alternative letsencrypt clients](https://letsencrypt.org/docs/client-options/).
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Web server settings
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Visit the [Mozilla's wiki](https://wiki.mozilla.org/Security/Server_Side_TLS) for instructions on how to configure a secure webserver.
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They provide recommendations for [different web servers](https://mozilla.github.io/server-side-tls/ssl-config-generator/).
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Test your SSL settings
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---
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When you are done, visit the test site [SSL Labs](https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/) to have them check if you succeeded.
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