Red Hat ENTERPRISE LINUX 4 System Administration Manual page 264

Chapter 24. Apache HTTP Server Configuration
Figure 24.9. SSL Support
If an Apache HTTP Server is not configured with SSL support, communications between an Apache
HTTP Server and its clients are not encrypted. This is appropriate for websites without personal or
confidential information. For example, an open source website that distributes open source software
and documentation has no need for secure communications. However, an ecommerce website that
requires credit card information should use the Apache SSL support to encrypt its communications.
Enabling Apache SSL support enables the use of the mod_ssl security module. To enable it through
the HTTP Configuration Tool, you must allow access through port 443 under the Main tab =>
Available Addresses. Refer to Section 24.1, "Basic Settings"
for details. Then, select the virtual
host name in the Virtual Hosts tab, click the Edit button, choose SSL from the left-hand menu,
and check the Enable SSL Support option as shown in Support". The SSL
Figure 24.9, "SSL
Configuration section is pre-configured with the dummy digital certificate. The digital certificate
provides authentication for your secure Web server and identifies the secure server to client Web
browsers. You must purchase your own digital certificate. Do not use the dummy one provided for your
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