> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Installing a self-signed SSL certificate in cPanel
> It's easy to generate and install a self-signed certificate for testing or development purposes.
This article describes how to generate and install a self-signed SSL certificate in cPanel.
**Important**
Hosting.com servers support Server Name Indication (SNI), which means SSL certificates do not *require* a dedicated IP address to work correctly. For more information about SNI support at hosting.com, please see [SSL certificates and Server Name Indication (SNI) support](/docs/ssl-certificates-and-server-name-indication-sni-support).
## Installing a self-signed certificate
You can install a self-signed SSL certificate on your hosting.com account for testing and development purposes. To do this, you create a private key and digitally sign your own SSL certificate in cPanel.
**Important**
Users receive warning messages in their browser when they try to access a web site secured by a self-signed certificate. This is because a trusted Certificate Authority has not signed the certificate. cPanel SSL certificates are readily available for cPanel accounts and are a trusted Certificate Authority in most browsers. For more information about cPanel SSL certificates, please see [Securing a cPanel-enabled account with a cPanel SSL certificate](/docs/securing-a-cpanel-enabled-account-with-a-sectigo-ssl-certificate).
To create and install a self-signed SSL certificate, follow these steps:
1. Log in to cPanel.
> 📘 Note
>
> If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see [this article](/docs/accessing-cpanel).
2. On the **Tools** page, in the **Security** section, click **SSL/TLS**:\
3. Under **Private Keys (KEY)**, click **Generate, view, upload, or delete your private keys**. The **Private Keys** page appears.
4. Under **Generate a New Private Key**, confirm that the **Key Type** is set to **RSA, 2,048-bit**.
5. In the **Description** text box, type a descriptive name for the key, such as **Self-signed cert key**.
6. Click **Generate**. cPanel generates and displays the private key.
7. Click **Return to SSL/TLS**.
8. On the **SSL/TLS** page, under **Certificates (CRT)**, click **Generate, view, upload, or delete SSL certificates**. The **Certificates** page appears.
9. Under **Generate a New Certificate**, in the **Key** list box, select the description for the private key you generated in step 6.
10. In the **Domains** text box, type the domain that you want to secure with the self-signed certificate, such as *test.example.com*.
11. Complete the remaining fields for the certificate.
> 🚧 Important
>
> Make sure you use the correct two-letter country code (for example, US or FR). For a complete list of these codes, please visit [http://www.iso.org/iso/country\_codes/iso\_3166\_code\_lists/country\_names\_and\_code\_elements.htm](http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/country_names_and_code_elements.htm) .
12. Click **Generate**. cPanel generates and displays the self-signed certificate.
13. Click **Return to SSL/TLS**.
14. From the **SSL/TLS** page, under **Install and Manage SSL for your site (HTTPS)**, click **Manage SSL sites**. The **Manage SSL Hosts** page appears.
15. Under **Install an SSL Website**, click **Browse Certificates**, select the certificate you generated in step 12, and then click **Use Certificate**. cPanel fills in the **Certificate (CRT)** and **Private Key (KEY)** fields automatically.
> 📘 Note
>
> Because this is a self-signed certificate, the **Certificate Authority Bundle (CABUNDLE)** field remains blank.
16. In the **Domain** list box, select the domain you want to secure with the certificate.
17. Click **Install Certificate**. cPanel installs the certificate on the server and enables SSL. When the process is complete, you receive an **SSL Host Successfully Installed** message.
18. Click **OK**. You can now securely access the specified domain by using the *https\://* prefix in a web browser, but you will receive a warning message about the self-signed certificate.
## Related articles
* [Introduction to SSL](/docs/introduction-to-ssl)
* [Installing a third-party SSL certificate](/docs/installing-a-third-party-ssl-certificate)
* [Securing a cPanel-enabled account with a Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate](/docs/securing-a-cpanel-enabled-account-with-a-lets-encrypt-ssl-certificate)
* [Generating and renewing Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates in Plesk](/docs/generating-and-renewing-lets-encrypt-ssl-certificates-in-plesk)
* [Differences between Let’s Encrypt certificates and traditional CA-issued certificates](/docs/differences-between-lets-encrypt-certificates-and-traditional-ca-issued-certificates)
* [Accessing cPanel](/docs/accessing-cpanel)