Cheap Web Space, Domain Name:
Web Space With E-Mail, PHP/MySQL.

Symptom

When I connect to my server via FTP, my FTP program shows me a certificate warning.

Cause

The warning is a precautionary measure. It doesn't necessarily mean that there is actually a security problem, but rather shows you the host name the certificate was issued for and the host name you are connecting to. Usually both match. You should not continue the connection only if the certificate does not match the host name.

Some customers do not use the host name to connect to their web space, but their domain name. This is technically possible, but an SSL certificate is only available for the host name of the server you are connecting to, not for the respective domain name, as there is only one FTP server that is on the same host for all customer accounts responsible is. If you use your domain name or an IP address instead of the host name for the FTP connection, the server's SSL certificate will be different from the domain name and your FTP program will always display a warning message. The connection is still secure in this case.

Solution

To avoid certificate problems, you should always use the host name, not your domain name, for FTP connections.

Compare the host name that the certificate secures with the host name that you use for your connection. If both match, as in this example screenshot, you can accept the connection. It is correct and intended that your FTP program shows the certificate notice nonetheless. In this case, this is only an indication that everything is in order.

If you are using your domain name instead of the host name for the FTP connection, you should at least know the host name and check that the SSL certificate is issued to the correct host name. You can then also accept the connection.

If the certificate shows an incorrect host name or the server name you are trying to connect to does not match the host name, cancel the connection. In this case, check whether malware is redirecting connections on your computer.

Overview of frequently asked questions