SSL/TLS SETUP GUIDE FOR AI-GENERATED APPS | VIBEEVAL

HTTPS Is Non-Negotiable for Production

AI-generated apps often deploy without HTTPS or with misconfigured SSL/TLS, transmitting passwords, API keys, and user data in plaintext. Modern browsers flag HTTP sites as “Not Secure” and block features like geolocation, camera access, and service workers without HTTPS.

SSL/TLS Configuration Checklist

Follow these 12 steps to properly configure HTTPS. Critical items must be implemented before handling any user data.

Enable HTTPS for all traffic

Configure SSL/TLS certificates for all domains and subdomains to encrypt data in transit and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.

Force HTTPS redirects

Automatically redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS to ensure users never transmit credentials or data over unencrypted connections.

Enable HSTS header

Set Strict-Transport-Security header with max-age of at least 1 year to force browsers to only use HTTPS for your domain.

Use TLS 1.2 or higher

Disable TLS 1.0 and 1.1 which have known vulnerabilities. Configure servers to only accept TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 connections.

Configure strong cipher suites

Use modern cipher suites that support forward secrecy and disable weak ciphers like RC4, DES, and MD5-based algorithms.

Set up automatic certificate renewal

Use Let’s Encrypt or platform-managed certificates with automatic renewal to prevent expiration-related outages.

Enable OCSP stapling

Configure OCSP stapling to improve SSL handshake performance while allowing clients to verify certificate status.

Configure CAA DNS records

Add Certificate Authority Authorization records to prevent unauthorized CAs from issuing certificates for your domain.

Test SSL configuration

Use SSL Labs SSL Test to verify your configuration achieves an A+ rating with no major vulnerabilities.

Set up certificate monitoring

Configure alerts for certificate expiration, revocation, and configuration issues to catch problems before users are affected.

Enable HTTP/2 or HTTP/3

Use modern HTTP protocols that require TLS and provide better performance over encrypted connections.

Configure secure cookies

Set Secure and SameSite flags on cookies to ensure they are only transmitted over HTTPS connections.

Common SSL/TLS Issues

Mixed Content Warnings

HTTPS pages loading HTTP resources like images, scripts, or stylesheets, causing browser security warnings and blocked content.

Missing HTTPS Redirect

Site accessible over HTTP without redirect, allowing credentials and session tokens to be transmitted in plaintext.

Expired SSL Certificates

Certificate expiration causing browser warnings and blocking access, often due to missing automatic renewal.

Weak Cipher Suites

Supporting outdated TLS 1.0 or weak ciphers that can be exploited to decrypt traffic or downgrade connections.

Related Resources

Vercel Security Guide

Automatic SSL/TLS on Vercel deployments

Netlify Security Guide

SSL certificate management on Netlify

Production Security Checklist

Complete pre-launch security review including HTTPS

Frontend Security Testing

Test for mixed content and SSL issues

Verify Your SSL Configuration

VibeEval checks for missing HTTPS redirects, weak cipher suites, missing HSTS headers, and mixed content warnings. Get detailed recommendations for achieving an A+ SSL Labs rating.