Are you an OpenCart store owner? Does your site have SSL security? Well, wait! Many of us don't know what SSL security is. So, let us first take a look at the definition of SSL.
What is SSL?
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is a form of security for online sites that deals with sensitive data like customer names, contact numbers, physical addresses, credit card information, passwords, etc. SSL creates a secure connection (done via the HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol) between a customer's web browser and a server of the online retailer they are interacting with. SSL, being a cryptographic protocol, adds an extra layer of security to the HTTP requests which results into HTTPS (HTTP over SSL).
What is SSL?
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is a form of security for online sites that deals with sensitive data like customer names, contact numbers, physical addresses, credit card information, passwords, etc. SSL creates a secure connection (done via the HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol) between a customer's web browser and a server of the online retailer they are interacting with. SSL, being a cryptographic protocol, adds an extra layer of security to the HTTP requests which results into HTTPS (HTTP over SSL).
If you are an OpenCart eCommerce development company that sells goods online, then SSL security is essential to manage all the information and ensure confidentiality as well as security. Using SSL for your online site benefits both retailers as well as consumers.
Following are the major benefits of using SSL:
Pre-requisites:
Prior to SSL setup, you must purchase and install a valid SSL certificate on your OpenCart site. You can contact your web hosting provider to purchase the SSL certificate.
Step 1: Configure OpenCart:
Login to the admin panel and go to Admin > System > Settings > [Edit] > Server. Find the setting "Use SSL" and click on "Yes", and then click on "Save" on the top right.
Step 2: Modify OpenCart Directory config.php Files:
It is important to ensure that your OpenCart configuration files have appropriate settings.
Login to cPanel and navigate to "File Manager". Now, open (Edit or Code Editor) the configuration (config.php) file. Find the lines that look similar to the lines below:
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'http://opencart.example.com/');
define('HTTPS_IMAGE', 'http://opencart.example.com/image/');
Edit the HTTPS settings to make sure the SSL URL path starts with HTTPS, for example:
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://opencart.example.com/');
define('HTTPS_IMAGE', 'https://opencart.example.com/image/');
Save the changes you made to config.php file and close the file.
Step 3: Configure OpenCart Admin Folder config.php Files:
Go to "Admin" folder and open (Edit or Code Editor) the configuration (config.php) file. Look for the lines that look similar to the lines below:
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'http://opencart.example.com/admin/');
define('HTTPS_CATALOG', 'http://opencart.example.com/');
define('HTTPS_IMAGE', 'http://opencart.example.com/image/');
Edit the HTTPS settings to make sure the SSL URL path starts with HTTPS, for example:
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://opencart.inmotiontesting.com/admin/');
define('HTTPS_CATALOG', 'https://opencart.inmotiontesting.com/');
define('HTTPS_IMAGE', 'https://opencart.inmotiontesting.com/image/');
Save the changes you made to config.php file and close the file.
Step 4: Test the Settings:
Following are the major benefits of using SSL:
- It provides authentication to ensure that all the information on your website such as customer details or payment information goes to the correct server without being intercepted.
- It provides a private connection necessary for accepting payments once the Payment Card Industry (PCI) verifies your SSL certificate that meets the encryption compliance.
- It helps you to build and improve customer trust by displaying the SSL certificate on your website.
- It guards against phishing activities like fake emails and advertisements from malicious websites or other sources trying to collect credit card information.
- It adds to the brand identity of the companies that use well-trusted encryption seals and icons.
Pre-requisites:
Prior to SSL setup, you must purchase and install a valid SSL certificate on your OpenCart site. You can contact your web hosting provider to purchase the SSL certificate.
Step 1: Configure OpenCart:
Login to the admin panel and go to Admin > System > Settings > [Edit] > Server. Find the setting "Use SSL" and click on "Yes", and then click on "Save" on the top right.
Step 2: Modify OpenCart Directory config.php Files:
It is important to ensure that your OpenCart configuration files have appropriate settings.
Login to cPanel and navigate to "File Manager". Now, open (Edit or Code Editor) the configuration (config.php) file. Find the lines that look similar to the lines below:
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'http://opencart.example.com/');
define('HTTPS_IMAGE', 'http://opencart.example.com/image/');
Edit the HTTPS settings to make sure the SSL URL path starts with HTTPS, for example:
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://opencart.example.com/');
define('HTTPS_IMAGE', 'https://opencart.example.com/image/');
Save the changes you made to config.php file and close the file.
Step 3: Configure OpenCart Admin Folder config.php Files:
Go to "Admin" folder and open (Edit or Code Editor) the configuration (config.php) file. Look for the lines that look similar to the lines below:
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'http://opencart.example.com/admin/');
define('HTTPS_CATALOG', 'http://opencart.example.com/');
define('HTTPS_IMAGE', 'http://opencart.example.com/image/');
Edit the HTTPS settings to make sure the SSL URL path starts with HTTPS, for example:
define('HTTPS_SERVER', 'https://opencart.inmotiontesting.com/admin/');
define('HTTPS_CATALOG', 'https://opencart.inmotiontesting.com/');
define('HTTPS_IMAGE', 'https://opencart.inmotiontesting.com/image/');
Save the changes you made to config.php file and close the file.
Step 4: Test the Settings:
Now test the settings you have changed by opening your website in a browser and type https://{your-website}. If you notice a green padlock in your URL, then everything is fine.
Congratulations, you finally added SSL security to your OpenCart store! Now stay assured that all the private information including your customers' payment details and passwords are safe and secure. Do you have any questions or suggestions regarding SSL setup in OpenCart? Drop us a line in the comment box below.
Congratulations, you finally added SSL security to your OpenCart store! Now stay assured that all the private information including your customers' payment details and passwords are safe and secure. Do you have any questions or suggestions regarding SSL setup in OpenCart? Drop us a line in the comment box below.