Let's Encrypt
Let's Encrypt is a free, automated, and open certificate authority (CA) that provides SSL/TLS certificates for enabling HTTPS on websites. It simplifies the process of obtaining and renewing certificates through the ACME (Automated Certificate Management Environment) protocol, making it easy to secure web traffic. It aims to create a more secure and privacy-respecting web by promoting widespread encryption.
Developers should use Let's Encrypt when they need to implement HTTPS on websites or web applications quickly and at no cost, especially for personal projects, small businesses, or development environments. It is ideal for automating certificate issuance and renewal in DevOps workflows, such as with web servers like Apache or Nginx, to ensure continuous security without manual intervention. Use cases include securing blogs, e-commerce sites, APIs, and any service requiring encrypted connections.