by Charles Oropallo | Oct 27, 2025 | Do-It-Yourself
Think your WordPress site is secure? You might be shocked to learn that 97% of WordPress security problems stem from plugin vulnerabilities alone. Even worse, hackers know exactly which mistakes you're making, and they're counting on you to keep making them.
Don't panic. Most WordPress security breaches happen because site owners unknowingly leave the digital equivalent of their front door wide open. The good news? These mistakes are completely preventable once you know what to look for.
Let's dive into the seven most dangerous security mistakes that make your WordPress site an easy target for cybercriminals.
1. Running Outdated or Inactive Plugins
Here's a scary statistic: only 30% of WordPress users have auto-updates enabled on their websites. That means 70% are sitting ducks for hackers who specifically target outdated plugins.
How Hackers Exploit This: Cybercriminals use automated scanning tools that crawl the web looking for sites running vulnerable plugin versions. When they find one, they already have the exploit code ready to go. It's like leaving your house key under the doormat with a sign pointing to it.
Take the 2023 vulnerabilities in WP Fastest Cache and Essential Add-ons for Elementor. Thousands of websites running outdated versions became instant targets. Hackers didn't need to be clever, they just needed to find sites that hadn't updated.
The Fix: Enable automatic updates for plugins whenever possible. If you prefer manual control, check for updates weekly. More importantly, delete any plugins you're not actively using. Inactive plugins are still attack vectors that hackers love to exploit.
2. Using Weak Passwords and Skipping Two-Factor Authentication
Here's a reality check: 41% of WordPress users don't use strong passwords or two-factor authentication (2FA). If your admin password is "password123" or your business name plus the year, you're basically sending hackers an invitation.
How Hackers Exploit This: Brute force attacks are the digital equivalent of trying every key until one opens the lock. Hackers use bots that attempt thousands of login combinations per minute. Since WordPress allows unlimited login attempts by default, these bots can run 24/7 until they crack your password.
Once they're in, they own your site. Customer data, financial information, email addresses, everything becomes theirs to sell or exploit.
The Fix: Use passwords that are at least 12 characters long with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Better yet, use a password manager to generate unique passwords for every account. Enable 2FA immediately, Google's research shows it stops 100% of automated bot attacks.
3. Installing Plugins and Themes from Sketchy Sources
Free premium themes and plugins sound tempting, right? Those "nulled" versions of expensive plugins seem like a steal. Here's the truth: if something seems too good to be true, it probably contains malware.
How Hackers Exploit This: Malicious developers embed backdoors directly into these "free" premium plugins. The moment you install them, hackers have a secret entrance to your site. Some plugin viruses are designed to automatically infect every other plugin and theme on your installation, spreading like wildfire through your entire WordPress setup.
These backdoors often go undetected for months, giving hackers plenty of time to steal data, inject spam links, or use your server for cryptocurrency mining.
The Fix: Stick to plugins and themes from WordPress.org, reputable commercial developers, or well-established marketplaces. Yes, you might pay more upfront, but it's infinitely cheaper than dealing with a hacked website.
4. Ignoring File Permissions
File permissions might sound technical, but they're basically your site's security guard. When configured incorrectly, they're like having a security guard who lets anyone walk into your building.
How Hackers Exploit This: Loose file permissions allow attackers to access sensitive files they shouldn't see. Once they have limited access, they can often escalate their privileges and gain control of critical system files. It's like giving someone permission to use your bathroom, and they end up with keys to your entire house.
With proper access, hackers can modify your site's code, steal database information, or install persistent backdoors that survive even when you clean up other security issues.
The Fix: Follow the principle of least privilege. Files should be set to 644 permissions, directories to 755. Your wp-config.php file should be 600. If these numbers look like gibberish, ask your hosting provider to audit your file permissions.
5. Procrastinating on WordPress Updates
Those update notifications aren't suggestions: they're security bulletins. Every WordPress update includes patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. When you ignore them, you're essentially leaving known security holes open for hackers to exploit.
How Hackers Exploit This: WordPress developers openly publish what each security update fixes. This creates a roadmap for hackers who can easily identify which sites haven't updated and target the specific vulnerabilities that remain unpatched.
It's like fixing a broken lock on your front door but announcing to the neighborhood exactly when the repair will happen. Unpatched sites become obvious targets.
The Fix: Update WordPress core, plugins, and themes as soon as updates become available. Schedule a weekly maintenance window to check for and install updates. Most hosting providers offer staging environments where you can test updates before applying them to your live site.
6. Skipping Backups and Security Monitoring
Not having backups is like driving without insurance: you'll only realize how crucial it is when disaster strikes. Similarly, running a WordPress site without security monitoring is like closing your eyes and hoping nothing bad happens.
How Hackers Exploit This: Without backups, when (not if) your site gets compromised, you have no clean version to restore. Hackers know this, which is why some attacks are designed to corrupt or encrypt your existing files, leaving you with no recovery options.
Without security monitoring, attacks can run undetected for weeks or months. During this time, hackers can steal customer data, inject malicious code, or use your site to attack other websites.
The Fix: Set up automated daily backups stored off-site (not on the same server as your website). Install a security plugin that monitors file changes, login attempts, and suspicious activity. For critical business sites, consider our email security services that include comprehensive monitoring.
7. Installing Software from Unknown Repositories
This mistake often flies under the radar but can be the most dangerous. Installing plugins or themes from forums, random websites, or commercial repositories outside the WordPress ecosystem introduces unknown code into your installation.
How Hackers Exploit This: Unlike WordPress.org plugins that undergo community scrutiny, third-party sources may lack any security review process. These repositories are often intentionally compromised or simply don't have the resources to properly vet code.
Hackers exploit this by creating legitimate-looking plugins or themes that contain hidden malware. Once installed, these give attackers automatic access to your site without needing to break in through other methods.
The Fix: Stick to WordPress.org for free plugins and themes. For premium options, buy directly from the developer or established marketplaces like CodeCanyon. Never download "nulled" versions of paid plugins: they're almost always infected with malware.
Your Next Steps
WordPress security isn't rocket science, but it does require consistent attention. Start by auditing your current setup against these seven mistakes. Update everything, remove unused plugins, strengthen your passwords, and enable 2FA.
Remember, hackers are counting on you to make these mistakes. Don't give them the satisfaction. A few hours of security maintenance now can save you weeks of cleanup later: not to mention the potential loss of business and customer trust.
Need help securing your WordPress site? We specialize in helping businesses protect their digital assets without the technical headaches. Your website is too important to leave to chance.
by Charles Oropallo | Oct 23, 2025 | Do-It-Yourself
Phishing attacks have become more sophisticated than ever in 2025. Cybercriminals now use AI to craft convincing emails that mimic your trusted contacts perfectly. They're targeting small businesses more aggressively because they know you might not have enterprise-level security budgets.
But here's the good news: protecting your inbox doesn't require expensive solutions or a computer science degree. You just need to know what to look for and implement a few key safeguards. Think about what's connected to your email accounts – your banking, your customer data, your business operations. That's why phishing avoidance should be your top priority this year.
Let's dive into practical steps you can take today to bulletproof your inbox against these increasingly clever attacks.
Set Up Email Authentication to Block Impersonators
Email authentication is your first line of defense against domain spoofing. When someone tries to send emails pretending to be from your business, these protocols will catch them.
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) tells email servers which IP addresses are allowed to send emails from your domain. Think of it as a guest list for your domain – only approved senders get through.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to your outgoing emails. It's like a tamper-proof seal that proves the message really came from you and wasn't altered in transit.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) combines SPF and DKIM, then tells other email servers what to do with emails that fail these checks. You can set it to quarantine suspicious emails or reject them entirely.
Setting up these protocols requires adding DNS records to your domain. If that sounds intimidating, most hosting providers or IT consultants can handle this quickly. The investment pays off immediately – you'll see fewer spoofed emails reaching your contacts and customers.
Recognize the New Generation of Phishing Emails
Today's phishing emails are getting scary good at mimicking legitimate communications. AI helps scammers create perfect grammar, use your company's writing style, and even reference recent events or conversations.
Watch for these red flags that still give away phishing attempts:
Suspicious sender addresses often use lookalike domains. Instead of "fedex.com," you might see "fedx-support.com" or "fedex-delivery.net." Always check the actual sender address, not just the display name.
Urgent language designed to bypass your critical thinking. Phrases like "immediate action required," "account will be closed," or "verify within 24 hours" should trigger your skepticism.
Generic greetings like "Dear Customer" instead of your actual name. Legitimate businesses usually personalize their communications, especially for account-related messages.
Mismatched links where the displayed text says one thing but the actual URL leads somewhere else. Hover over links before clicking to see where they really go.
Unexpected attachments requiring immediate download or execution. Be especially wary of .zip files, .exe files, or documents with embedded macros from unknown senders.
Implement Smart Behavioral Practices
Your daily email habits matter more than any security software. Small changes in how you handle emails can prevent most successful phishing attacks.
Never click links in emails unless you absolutely trust the sender. When in doubt, open a new browser window and navigate to the company's website directly. This simple practice stops most credential theft attempts cold.
Verify suspicious requests through alternative channels. If your "boss" emails asking for urgent wire transfers or sensitive information, pick up the phone and confirm. Scammers count on you following email instructions without verification.
Keep your software updated. Email clients, browsers, and operating systems regularly patch security vulnerabilities that phishers exploit. Enable automatic updates whenever possible.
Use different passwords for different accounts. When one account gets compromised, you don't want attackers accessing everything else. Password managers make this easier by generating and storing unique passwords for each service.
Deploy Multi-Factor Authentication Strategically
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) blocks most phishing attacks even when criminals steal your password. But not all MFA is created equal in 2025.
Avoid SMS-based authentication when possible. Scammers can intercept text messages or use social engineering to redirect your phone number. It's better than nothing, but other options provide stronger protection.
App-based authentication using Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator offers better security. These generate time-based codes that work even without internet connectivity.
Hardware security keys like YubiKey provide the strongest protection against phishing. They use cryptographic proof that can't be phished, even by sophisticated attacks. For businesses handling sensitive data, this investment pays for itself quickly.
Choose the Right Email Security Tools
Modern email security goes beyond basic spam filtering. AI-powered solutions can detect subtle patterns that humans might miss.
Advanced threat protection services analyze email content, sender behavior, and link destinations in real-time. They catch zero-day phishing attempts that haven't been reported yet.
Email sandboxing opens suspicious attachments in isolated environments to check for malware before they reach your inbox. This protects against document-based attacks that bypass traditional antivirus.
User reporting tools make it easy for your team to flag suspicious emails. Many security platforms learn from these reports, improving protection for everyone.
Link rewriting services intercept clicks on suspicious URLs and scan them before allowing access. This provides a safety net when users click without thinking.
Train Your Team Without Boring Them
Security awareness training works best when it's relevant and engaging. Skip the generic presentations and focus on real scenarios your business might face.
Run phishing simulations that mimic actual threats targeting your industry. Banking clients might see fake loan notifications, while retail businesses could see shipping updates. Make the training relevant to daily operations.
Create a no-blame reporting culture. Team members should feel comfortable reporting suspicious emails without fear of embarrassment. Praise people for being cautious – it's exactly the behavior you want.
Share recent examples of phishing attempts targeting similar businesses. Real-world cases are more memorable than theoretical scenarios.
Keep sessions short and focused. Fifteen-minute monthly updates work better than annual marathon training sessions. People retain information better in small, digestible pieces.
Protect Your Business Email Specifically
Business email faces unique threats that personal email doesn't encounter. Attackers research your company structure, recent news, and business relationships to craft targeted attacks.
Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks target financial processes. Scammers impersonate executives or vendors to trick employees into wire transfers or credential sharing. Always verify payment requests through secondary channels.
Supply chain phishing uses compromised vendor accounts to attack customers. Even trusted partners can become unwitting attack vectors. Maintain healthy skepticism even with familiar senders.
CEO fraud targets employees with fake urgent requests from leadership. Attackers study your organizational chart and communication patterns to make requests seem legitimate.
Keep Your Defenses Current
Phishing tactics evolve constantly, so your protection strategies must evolve too. What worked last year might not catch this year's threats.
Monitor your email authentication reports. DMARC generates reports showing who's trying to send emails from your domain. Review these monthly to catch impersonation attempts early.
Update your security awareness training quarterly with new threat examples. Cybercriminals adapt their tactics based on what works, so your team needs to stay current.
Test your backup and recovery procedures. Even with perfect prevention, some attacks might succeed. Regular testing ensures you can recover quickly without paying ransoms or losing critical data.
Review and update your incident response plan. Everyone should know who to contact and what steps to take when phishing attacks succeed. Quick response can minimize damage significantly.
Take Action Today
Phishing avoidance isn't something you can set up once and forget. It requires ongoing attention and regular updates. But the effort protects your business reputation, customer data, and financial security.
Start with email authentication – SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records provide immediate protection against domain spoofing. Then implement multi-factor authentication on critical accounts. These two steps alone will block most common phishing attacks.
Train your team to recognize and report suspicious emails. Create processes for verifying unexpected requests through alternative communication channels. The combination of technology and smart human behavior creates a robust defense against even sophisticated attacks.
Remember, cybercriminals are running businesses too. They target victims who look like easy marks and move on when defenses are strong. Make your business a hard target, and attackers will focus their efforts elsewhere.
For additional technical help with email security implementation, check out our email security resources for step-by-step guidance on protecting your business communications.
by Charles Oropallo | Oct 18, 2025 | Do-It-Yourself
If you secure many sites with free Let’s Encrypt SSL, you may hit a wall. Suddenly, certificate requests stop cold. One day everything works. The next, you see rate-limit errors and wonder what happened.
Here’s the thing. Let’s Encrypt secures over 350 million websites with free SSL. To keep things stable and safe, they enforce strict rate limits. These limits can surprise even seasoned developers. They bite hardest when securing many domains or subdomains at once.
Understanding these limits prevents headaches. It also keeps your sites secure and your business running. I’ll explain what the limits mean. I’ll share five practical steps to avoid SSL issues before they happen.
What Are Let’s Encrypt Rate Limits?
Think of Let’s Encrypt rate limits like a busy restaurant. It can serve only so many guests each hour. They are not there to hassle you. They ensure fair access and protect the system.
The key limit is 50 certificates per registered domain every 7 days. “Registered domain” means your eTLD+1, or main domain. If you own example.com, all subdomains share that weekly pool. That includes www, blog, and shop subdomains.
That’s not the only limit. You get 5 failed validation attempts per domain per hour. Repeated failures trigger a temporary lockout. Common causes include DNS or firewall issues. There’s also a duplicate certificate limit of 5 per week. Renewals do not count against the 50-certificate quota.
Account creation is limited too: 10 accounts per IP every 3 hours. This prevents abuse through mass accounts. It can also affect legitimate teams that need several accounts.
Step 1: Use Wildcard Certificates for Multiple Subdomains
Here’s your first defense against rate limits. Use a single wildcard certificate, not many subdomain certificates. One wildcard covers all subdomains under your domain.
A wildcard for *.example.com secures www, blog, shop, and new subdomains. You issue only one certificate. This slashes issuance volume and stays within Let’s Encrypt limits.
Even better, a single certificate can list up to 100 domains. Managing many brands? Combine domains into fewer certificates. One cert can cover yourcompany.com, .net, and .org.
Look at your setup. Are you requesting one certificate per subdomain? If so, you burn limits quickly. Switching to wildcard certificates is often the top fix.
Step 2: Test in the Staging Environment First
Before deploying live, test in Let’s Encrypt’s staging environment. It’s a safe practice kitchen. Mistakes don’t affect customers.
Staging has relaxed limits: 50 new registrations per IP per 3 hours. Production allows only 10. Use staging to test SSL, fix DNS, and refine deployment.
Many teams skip this step in a rush to go live. That’s when rate-limit problems strike. You issue, it fails, you retry, and hit five failures. Now you must wait.
Follow this rule. Do not issue a production certificate until staging succeeds. Spend 15 extra minutes. It could save days later.
Step 3: Implement Protective Safeguards
Smart hosting platforms add safeguards to prevent runaway certificate requests. You should do the same.
Many platforms lock SSL provisioning after three failures. They stop before Let’s Encrypt’s limit of five. That buffer prevents retry loops and protects weekly limits.
If you manage SSL yourself, add similar safeguards. Monitor requests per domain and per week. Create alerts near the limits. Add automatic delays between retries.
Do not rely on manual steps. SSL issues feel urgent, and pressure creates mistakes. Automation removes human error in Let’s Encrypt rate-limit management.
Step 4: Monitor and Space Out Certificate Requests
If you manage many sites or a SaaS, timing matters. Be strategic with certificate requests. Avoid securing everything at once.
Let’s Encrypt allows 10 certificates per IP every three hours. Migrating dozens at once? Pace your requests. Spread them over days, not one afternoon.
Keep detailed logs of issuance times and domains. This is essential for weekly limits. Know exact counts for each domain over seven days before requesting more.
Use a spreadsheet or database to track issuance dates, renewals, and limit usage. Seeing requests visually helps avoid accidental Let’s Encrypt limit hits.
Step 5: Fix Root Causes Before Retrying Failed Requests
This might be the most important step. When provisioning fails, do not retry immediately. The seven-day window also tracks failed attempts per domain.
Instead, find and fix the root cause. Common causes include DNS mistakes, blocked HTTP validation, or domain verification issues. Retrying without fixes only wastes your limits.
Some common issues to check when certificates fail:
- DNS records pointing to the correct IP address
- Firewall rules allowing HTTP validation on port 80
- Web server configuration properly handling validation requests
- Domain ownership verification working correctly
Follow this rule of thumb. Wait at least an hour between failures. Do not retry until you fix the specific problem. Many providers recommend this. It prevents accidental lockouts.
What Happens When You Hit Rate Limits
Despite your best efforts, you may still hit limits. When it happens, wait for the window to reset. The main certificate limit resets after seven days.
While you wait, consider alternatives. Issue wildcard certificates where missing. Consolidate domains into fewer certificates. For critical needs, consider a commercial CA as a temporary last resort.
Most important, learn from the incident. Review what happened. Update processes to prevent repeats. Confirm your safeguards work properly.
Remember, Let’s Encrypt rate limits keep the service stable for everyone. Follow the five steps. Use wildcards. Test in staging. Add safeguards. Monitor usage. Fix root causes early.
The key is proactive planning, not reactive troubleshooting. With preparation, you can keep sites secure without hitting these limits.
by Charles Oropallo | Sep 18, 2025 | Email, Security
Think your business emails are secure? Think again. Every day, cybercriminals send millions of fake emails pretending to be from legitimate businesses. Without proper email authentication, your company name could be next.
Here's the scary truth: anyone can send an email that appears to come from your domain. Your customers won't know the difference until it's too late. That's where SPF, DKIM, and DMARC come in.
These three protocols work like a security team for your email. Each one handles a different job, and you need all three to properly protect your business reputation.
What Is SPF (Sender Policy Framework)?
SPF acts like a bouncer at an exclusive club. It tells the world exactly which mail servers are allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain.
When you set up SPF, you're essentially creating a list that says "These servers, and only these servers, can send emails from mydomain.com." Any email claiming to be from your domain but sent from an unauthorized server gets flagged as suspicious.
Here's how it works in practice. Let's say someone tries to send a fake email from your domain using their personal Gmail account. The receiving email server checks your SPF record and sees that Gmail isn't on your approved list. Red flag raised.
But SPF has one major weakness: email forwarding breaks it completely. When someone forwards your legitimate email to another address, the forwarding server becomes the new sender. Since that server isn't on your SPF list, the email fails authentication even though it's genuine.
That's why SPF alone isn't enough. You need backup.
Understanding DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
DKIM works like a tamper-proof seal on a package. Every email gets a unique digital signature that proves two things: the message came from an authorized server, and nobody changed the content during delivery.
Think of DKIM as invisible ink that only special equipment can read. Your mail server adds this signature using a private key that only you control. The receiving server uses a public key (stored in your DNS records) to verify the signature.
If someone intercepts your email and changes even one character, the signature breaks. The receiving server immediately knows something fishy happened.
Unlike SPF, DKIM survives email forwarding because the signature travels with the message. But DKIM has its own blind spot: it doesn't check if the "From" address matches the domain that signed the email.
A scammer could send an email that appears to come from your domain in the "From" field while actually signing it with their own domain's DKIM key. The signature would be valid, but the email would still be fake.
DMARC: The Missing Link
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is the quarterback that makes SPF and DKIM actually work together effectively.
DMARC connects the dots by checking something called "alignment." It verifies that the domain in the "From" address matches the domain that passed SPF or DKIM authentication.
But DMARC's real power lies in policy enforcement. You tell DMARC exactly what to do when an email fails authentication:
- None: Just monitor and report (perfect for testing)
- Quarantine: Send suspicious emails to spam folders
- Reject: Block fake emails completely
DMARC also sends you detailed reports about who's sending emails using your domain. These reports help you catch both legitimate configuration issues and malicious activity.
How the Three Work as a Team
Think of email authentication like airport security. You need multiple checkpoints to catch different types of threats.
When an email arrives, the receiving server performs this security screening:
- SPF Check: Is this email coming from an authorized server?
- DKIM Check: Is the digital signature valid and unaltered?
- DMARC Check: Do the domains align properly, and what should I do if they don't?
DMARC requires that at least one of the other protocols (SPF or DKIM) passes AND shows proper alignment. If both fail, DMARC policies kick in to protect the recipient.
This layered approach covers all the bases. Even if SPF breaks due to forwarding, DKIM can still authenticate the email. If DKIM fails for some reason, SPF might still pass.
Why All Three Are Non-Negotiable
You might think "Can't I just use one or two?" Unfortunately, no. Each protocol plugs holes that the others can't handle.
Here's what happens with incomplete protection:
SPF only: Scammers can still forge your domain in the "From" address while sending from their own authenticated servers. Customers see your name and trust the email.
DKIM only: Criminals can use your domain name in emails while signing with their own valid DKIM signature. The technical authentication passes, but the email is still fraudulent.
SPF + DKIM without DMARC: You have no enforcement mechanism. Email providers might ignore your SPF and DKIM records because there's no policy telling them what to do with failures.
The harsh reality? Without all three protocols properly configured, up to 76% of your legitimate business emails could end up in spam folders or get rejected outright.
The Business Impact Is Real
Major email providers aren't playing games anymore. Starting in February 2024, Google and Yahoo made SPF, DKIM, and DMARC mandatory for anyone sending over 5,000 emails per day.
But compliance isn't the only concern. Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams cost U.S. victims $2.9 billion in 2024 alone. When criminals can easily impersonate your business, your customers become targets.
Consider what's at stake when someone spoofs your domain:
- Customer trust: People stop opening emails from your business
- Brand reputation: Your company name gets associated with scams
- Financial liability: Customers might hold you responsible for losses
- Email deliverability: Legitimate emails get blocked or filtered
One major breach can take years to recover from. Prevention costs far less than damage control.
Getting Started: Your Next Steps
Don't let the technical details intimidate you. Most hosting providers and email services can help you implement these protocols correctly.
Start by checking your current status. Tools like MXToolbox or DMARC Analyzer can show you what records already exist for your domain.
If you're sending business emails without proper authentication, you're essentially driving without insurance. The question isn't whether something will go wrong: it's when.
For comprehensive email security guidance tailored to your business needs, our email security services can help you implement all three protocols correctly.
The investment in proper email authentication pays dividends in protected reputation, improved deliverability, and peace of mind. Your customers: and your bottom line: will thank you for taking email security seriously.
Don't wait for a crisis to take action. Email authentication isn't just about preventing attacks; it's about ensuring your legitimate business communications actually reach their intended recipients.
by Charles Oropallo | Jan 17, 2025 | Security, Technical Help
Recently, I encountered an issue while attempting to renew an SSL certificate for one of my domains, (let’s call it) testdomain.com, using Let’s Encrypt on a server running Virtualmin on Debian 12. The process was more complicated than I expected due to a small oversight that many others could easily make. This article details my experience, the errors I encountered due to Let’s Encrypt rate limits (which I didn’t know existed), and steps to avoid or resolve such issues.
The Problem: Let’s Encrypt Rate Limits for Failed Authorizations
A padlock that shows with an encrypted site using https in some browsers.Let’s Encrypt provides free SSL certificates for securing websites. However, it enforces rate limits to ensure fair usage and prevent abuse. While attempting to renew the SSL certificate for testdomain.com, I discovered that the DNS settings were not pointed to my server, causing repeated failed validation attempts. By the time I fixed the DNS settings, I had hit Let’s Encrypt’s rate limit for failed authorizations.
This limit restricts requests for the same domain to 5 failed attempts per hour. Once you hit this limit, you must wait for the cooldown period to expire before trying again.
How the Error Appeared in Virtualmin
In the Virtualmin interface, I attempted to renew the certificate by navigating to:
- Virtualmin > Server Configuration > SSL Certificate
- Clicking on the Let’s Encrypt tab
- Ensuring the domain and subdomain (e.g.,
testdomain.com and www.testdomain.com) were selected
- Clicking the Request Certificate button
The renewal process failed with an error that Virtualmin reported as “an unknown issue.” Upon further investigation, I found the detailed error logs in the Let’s Encrypt log file located at:
/var/log/letsencrypt/letsencrypt.log
From the log, I saw this message:
urn:ietf:params:acme:error:rateLimited :: There were too many requests of a given type :: too many failed authorizations (5) for "testdomain.com" in the last 1h0m0s, retry after [time].
Understanding Let’s Encrypt Rate Limits
Let’s Encrypt enforces several types of rate limits. Here are the key ones:
- Failed Validation Limit:
- 5 failed validations per domain per hour.
- This applies to any validation failure, such as DNS misconfigurations or inaccessible
.well-known/acme-challenge directories.
- Duplicate Certificate Limit:
- 5 identical certificates per week.
- If you request the same set of domains repeatedly, you’ll hit this limit.
- Certificates per Registered Domain:
- 50 certificates per registered domain per week.
- All subdomains count toward this limit.
- Account-Level Requests:
- 50 certificates per account per week.
These limits are described in detail at Let’s Encrypt’s rate limit documentation.
Diagnosing the Problem
If you encounter a similar issue, here are the steps to diagnose and resolve it:
1. Check DNS Settings
- Ensure the domain’s DNS A records correctly point to your server.
- Use tools like
dig or online DNS propagation checkers to verify.
2. Verify Webroot Accessibility
3. Examine Let’s Encrypt Logs
4. Check Cooldown Period
- If you’ve hit the rate limit, the log will indicate a
Retry-After time in UTC. Convert it to your local timezone to determine when you can retry.
5. Dry Run Your Request
Steps to Avoid Future Issues
1. Ensure DNS Settings Before Requesting Certificates
- Double-check that DNS records point to the correct server and have propagated globally before initiating an SSL request.
2. Test Webroot Configuration
- Verify that the
.well-known/acme-challenge/ directory is accessible for all domains you’re requesting.
3. Use the Dry-Run Option
- Always test with
--dry-run before making a live request to avoid hitting limits.
4. Automate Renewals
- Virtualmin and Certbot support automated renewals. Ensure the cron job is configured correctly and DNS remains stable.
5. Avoid Forcing Duplicate Requests
- Options like
--duplicate and --force-renewal can lead to unnecessary requests. Only use them when absolutely necessary.
Conclusion
Hitting Let’s Encrypt’s rate limits can be frustrating, but understanding the causes and solutions can save time and effort. By checking DNS settings, verifying webroot accessibility, and using dry runs, you can prevent failed authorizations and avoid cooldown periods.
If you’re using Virtualmin, remember to check the Let’s Encrypt logs for detailed error messages, and plan your certificate renewals carefully to stay within the rate limits. Hopefully, my experience with testdomain.com helps you navigate and prevent similar issues.
As always, proactive testing and attention to detail go a long way in maintaining a secure and smoothly running server.
European Union General Data Protection Regulation Compliant