How to Add HTTPS to NextCloud for Secure File Sharing

NextCloud is an amazing platform for secure file sharing, but did you know that it's not secure by default? You need to add HTTPS to ensure that all data transmitted between your NextCloud server and clients is encrypted.

To add HTTPS to NextCloud, you'll need to obtain an SSL/TLS certificate. This can be done for free from Let's Encrypt, a trusted certificate authority.

Obtaining an SSL/TLS certificate is a straightforward process, but it does require some technical know-how. Don't worry, the article will walk you through the process step by step.

To add HTTPS to Nextcloud, you'll first need to generate a self-signed certificate. Create a file named openssl.gen with the following content.

You can ignore the warning about the certificate's authenticity, as it's a self-signed certificate. Proceed to install Nextcloud after you've generated the certificate.

First, create a script to generate the required directory structure and the key-cert.

You'll need to configure Nginx to work with Nextcloud, and it's actually quite straightforward.

To do this, you can use the example NGINX config from the Nextcloud documentation, but you'll need to change the root directory to point to your Nextcloud installation.

The usage of the block upstream php-handler { ... } is not necessary, you can simply specify fastcgi_pass unix:/run/php-fpm-legacy/nextcloud.sock; in the location block that deals with forwarding requests with PHP URIs to the application server.

Nginx natively supports both FastCGI and uWSGI protocols, so you won't need to install any additional modules.

If you're using uWSGI instead of FPM, you'll need to replace the location block with the correct information.

To configure NGINX as a reverse proxy, you'll need to forward the request at the root level server block to the Nextcloud server.

You'll also need to generate a self-signed certificate and key to configure NGINX, and increase file size limits to make it easier to upload larger files from Nextcloud.

Here are the key points to keep in mind:

Note that if you're using Pantavisor, you can configure a platform without changing the original Docker image, and you can use a script to generate a NGINX configuration file with the required directory structure.

HTTPS Encryption is a must-have for any Nextcloud installation. Enabling HTTPS encryption will ensure that all data transmitted between your Nextcloud server and clients is secure.

To enable HTTPS encryption, you'll need to use the Nextcloud snap, which includes a service for automated HTTPS encryption and renewal using Let's Encrypt. This service is easily accessible via the command line.

To get started, run the command `nextcloud.enable-https -h` to view the available options. You'll need to read the resulting response carefully to ensure you meet the requirements, which include having a domain name and DNS setup, as well as meeting certain network requirements.

Here are the key requirements:

Once you've confirmed your setup meets these requirements, you can enter your email address and domain/subdomain to obtain your SSL certificate.

Alternatively, you can use the Let's Encrypt client, which offers a completely free SSL certificate and automated renewal via cron. This method requires you to download the Let's Encrypt client, set it as executable, and then run the command `sudo ./certbot-auto --apache --agree-tos --rsa-key-size 4096 --email [email protected] --redirect -d nc.domain.org`.

This command will create an SSL-enabled website and automatically set up the Apache configuration. To ensure the certificate is renewed automatically, you'll need to add a cronjob to your system. Here's an example of the cronjob command: `0 0 * * 0 /home/jason/certbot-auto renew`.

When setting up Nextcloud, you'll want to consider additional configuration options to ensure a smooth HTTPS experience. You can configure trusted domains to accept remote browser requests made to your IP address or domain name. This is especially useful for remote or virtual servers.

To assign a separate ID number for each domain, simply iterate values 0, 1, 2... in your config.php configuration options. Multiple trusted domains can be set up using this method.

If you're using a reverse proxy, you may want to consider putting Nextcloud snap behind it. This can help with encryption and other security features. NGINX proxy manager can also handle encryption, making it a popular choice among Nextcloud users.

If you're looking to integrate office software with Nextcloud, you have three options: Collabora Online, ONLYOFFICE, and MS Office Online Server.

All three solutions require a dedicated server and some web server setup to forward requests to the office service. This can be a bit of a hassle, but it's worth it for the features you'll gain.

Collabora Online offers a developers plan called CODE for free, making it a more affordable option for some users. ONLYOFFICE, on the other hand, has a Home Server plan that's reasonably priced.

To get started with installation and setup, be sure to check out the specific instructions for each product: Collabora online, ONLYOFFICE, and MS Office Online Server.

Here are the three office integration solutions at a glance:

Nextcloud snap will accept HTTP requests addressed to localhost from the server itself by default.

However, if you're setting things up on a remote or virtual server, you'll need to tell Nextcloud to expect remote browser requests made to your IP address or domain name.

You'll assign a separate ID number, iterating values 0, 1, 2... for each domain. This is crucial for multiple trusted domains configuration options in config.php.

Note that setting up trusted domains requires a specific configuration.

If you're looking to further customize your Nextcloud setup, there are a few options to consider.

You can put the Nextcloud snap behind a reverse proxy, which can provide an additional layer of security and flexibility.

Letting NGINX proxy manager handle encryption is another option, which can simplify the process of securing your Nextcloud instance.

If you choose to put the Nextcloud snap behind a reverse proxy, you'll need to set it up separately.

Using NGINX proxy manager for encryption means you won't have to worry about configuring SSL certificates yourself.

Here are the two options in more detail: