Abstract

Step 1: Getting Started with Nginx

1. Installation:

   To begin, we need to install Nginx. Depending on your OS, the command might vary, but for Debian-based systems like Ubuntu, it's as simple as:

   sudo apt update 
   sudo apt install nginx

    

2. Testing Nginx:

   Once installed, start Nginx:

   sudo systemctl start nginx

   Now, when you open a web browser and navigate to your server's IP address, you should be greeted with the familiar “Welcome to Nginx!” page.

Step 2: Pointing Your Domain to Your Server

1. Update DNS Records:

   To ensure that users can access your server using your domain, you need to point the domain to your server's IP address. This is done by updating the A Record in your domain registrar's control panel.

Step 3: Setting up HTTPS with Certbot

1. Installing Certbot:

   Depending on your OS, the steps to install Certbot will differ. Generally, you can find detailed instructions on the Certbot website.

2. Obtaining a Certificate:

   With Certbot installed, run the following command:

   sudo certbot --nginx

   This command prompts Certbot to fetch a certificate for your domain and edit your Nginx configuration automatically.

3. Solving Potential DNS issues:

   Sometimes, you might run into DNS-related issues when trying to obtain a certificate. In our experience, it's essential to ensure that both the www and non-www versions of your domain point to your server.

4. Deploying Certificate:

   If all the stars align and there are no errors, Certbot will fetch and deploy the certificates for your domain. You'll see a success message, which will also tell you where your certificates are stored.

Step 4: Forcing HTTPS (Optional)

1. Redirecting All HTTP Traffic to HTTPS:

   For an added layer of security, it's a good practice to force all incoming HTTP traffic to redirect to HTTPS. Edit the Nginx configuration to include:

   server { 
       listen 80; 
       server_name your_domain_name; 
       return 301 https://$host$request_uri; 
   }

   This configuration ensures that all users are automatically redirected to the secure version of your site.

Step 5: Periodic Renewal of Certificates

1. Automatic Renewal:

   While Let's Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days, Certbot sets up automatic renewals. To ensure this works as intended, test it with:

   sudo certbot renew --dry-run

    

Conclusion:

In wrapping up, always remember that security is an ongoing process. By setting up Nginx and HTTPS, you've taken significant steps toward ensuring your users' safety and building trust. Periodically, make sure to review and update your configurations, use tools like Qualys SSL Labs to assess the health of your SSL setup, and stay informed about best practices in web server security.

Your feedback and experiences are invaluable. Please share any challenges, insights, or tips you've encountered in your journey of web server setup and maintenance.