do i need an ssl certificate?

[lozina]

Threads about circumventing network policies are not allowed.
bsobel


I'd like to run a webmail site for myself to get around my company's firewall blocking gmail. it works fine but what i'd like to do is now have it use SSL. is it absolutely necessary to purchase an ssl certificate to accomplish this or can i just switch my web server to use ssl and then get some pop-up when i access it where i can verify to trust this site, and be done with it?

 

[drebo]

If you're the only one using the site, then you can use a temporary SSL key. It will not be signed, and so you will be warned when you try to go to it, but it will accomplish the same thing.

That said, SSL keys are dirt cheap these days. Godaddy has them for like $15/yr now.

 

[Crusty]

You only get the warning once if you are using Firefox, and there is absolutely no difference in encryption level since you know who issued the certificate(yourself), so IMO there is no point in purchasing a certificate unless you are using the site for a commercial purpose.