Here’s a thorough overview of the pros and cons of Wildcard SSL
The Wildcard SSL Certificate is among the most flexible types of certificates that are available. With just one certificate, you are able to encrypt any website and all its sub-domains.
Simple, right? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the use of an Wildcard SSL certifiability? Let’s look.
Advantage: Secure unlimited sub-domains
A lot of websites use subdomains. It’s a common feature of the web’s architecture. The purpose you will use your sub-domains for is your choice However, regardless of what they are used for they must be secured. Prior to the time that Wildcard SSL certificates were created the process of securing websites with sub-domains was more complicated. It’s not anymore. With just one wildcard certificate, you’ll be able to secure:
Domain.com
Mail.domain.com
Members.domain.com
Dev.domain.com
As well as any other sub-domains you might possess. Use an asterisk to indicate the sub-domain level that you want to protect when filling in Your Certificate Signature Request. Easy!
Benefit: Wildcards cost less expensive than other alternatives.
Prior to Wildcards were introduced, you’d need to buy an individually-purchased SSL certificate for each subdomain. That’s expensive! It’s expensive! Wildcard SSL certificate can secure an unlimited number of subdomains for a single price. It’s a lot less than other options.
Advantage: Easier Certificate Management
Similar to how Wildcards are more affordable than the option of securing each sub-domain separately It’s also an more secure method to protect your website’s footprint from a technical and administration perspective. It’s not like you’re dealing with multiple certificates or coordinating multiple renewal dates and installation dates and continually adding more as you expand. You’re only managing one certificate. Simple!
Advantage: Wildcards Scale Better
Wildcard SSL Certificates will grow with the growth of your business. If, within the lifetime of the wildcard SSL certificate you decide to add another sub-domain on your website, your certificate will automatically be covered. There is no need to renew your Wildcard certificate in order to protect the newly added domain. Wildcards can be used in the future.
Are there any negatives in using Wildcards?
Yes, but they’re much less prominent than the benefits that come with Wildcard certificates. The main drawbacks of the use of a wildcard include:
It is only valid for one sub-domain level. If you’re trying to secure sub-domains of different levels, you’ll require an Wildcard for each level of sub-domain you’re trying to secure.
If you manage multiple entities for the subdomains of your website it could be necessary to share the private key with your company and/or vendors that could lead to an unauthorised party gaining access to your private key
It is important to remember that if you use only just one private and certificate across multiple servers, one breach will necessitate reissuing the certificate for all servers.
Certain older mobile operating systems, like Windows Mobile 5, do not recognize the wildcard symbol. (*).
On the majority of websites, the advantages of wildcard certificates outweigh the drawbacks.
