While reviewing the security configuration of a Linux web server, you must choose a certificate that will secure an indefinite number of subdomains (for example, dev.example.com, mail.example.com, and api.example.com) under the same parent domain. Which certificate type offers the most efficient and secure solution for this requirement?
A wildcard certificate includes an asterisk (*) in the common name (for example, *.example.com), allowing a single certificate to protect all first-level subdomains of one domain. This eliminates the need to buy and manage separate certificates for each subdomain. Self-signed certificates are not trusted by public clients because they lack CA validation. A digital signature ensures message integrity and authenticity but is not a certificate type for web encryption. A public key by itself is just a component of a certificate and does not provide domain validation.
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What is a wildcard certificate?
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How is a wildcard certificate different from other SSL/TLS certificates?
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Why are self-signed certificates not suitable for public-facing web servers?