For Web Hosting packages

You set up your personal SSL certificate easily in IONOS. With the setup the SSL certificate is issued to the desired domain, installed in your webspace, and automatically activated.

This applies to the following:

  • Your package contains an uninstalled SSL certificate of type
    -GeoTrust True BusinessID with EV (SSL Premium)
  • Your domain and the website to be secured are in the same hosting package.
  • Your domain is ready (Status: Active).

Setting Up SSL Certificates in the IONOS

Step 1

Log in to IONOS and select the relevant contract.

Step 2

In the Domains pane, click Manage SSL Certificates.

Step 3

You are now in the SSL Certificates area of your IONOS Domain Center. To start setting up, click the Not set up text for the certificate you want.

Step 4

In the Domain Assignment area, select the domain or subdomain you want to secure.

Step 5

Make sure that the stored contact data of your company and the administrative contact person (Admin-C) is up-to-date. To update it, click in the appropriate field and then change the record as desired

Please note: Any company name change you make at this point will also be transmitted to the WHOIS database and is therefore publicly visible.

Step 6

Read and accept the Terms of Use.

Step 7

To set up the SSL Certificate with the selected settings, click Set Up SSL Certificate.

The SSL certificate is now requested from the certificate authority. This checks the identity of the applying company as well as its owner rights to the domain. After successful validation, the certificate is issued to the domain and automatically installed by our system in your webspace.

Stages of Validation - Briefly Explained

Validation by the certification body takes place in several steps:

  • Company Authentication: The Certification Authority (GeoTrust) matches the company name, registration and security status of the company specified in the Certificate Signing Request with the appropriate registration authority of the country, state or (in some cases) the jurisdiction of the city. Public information is also looked up on the Internet.
  • Domain Authentication: The certification authority checks whether the domain name in question is registered on the registered company name in a publicly accessible WHOIS database. If the domain name is not registered for the registered company name, alternatives are available:
    - a legally valid proof can be provided - proof of usage rights for the domain name can be provided, or additional documents can be provided.
  • Telephone Verification: As final identity authentication, the certification authority calls the company contact specified in the domain whois. The call can also be answered by another person in the company.

    If the certification authority does not reach anyone, either a voice message will be left on the contact's answering machine or an email will be sent by GeoTrust with further instructions. This includes information on how to contact the certification body to complete the verification.