GuardYak Docs

How to monitor an SSL certificate in GuardYak

An expired certificate puts a full-page security warning in front of every visitor. An SSL check looks at the certificate a site presents, confirms it is trusted and matches the hostname, and warns you weeks before it expires.

Before you start

  • A GuardYak account (every check type is available on the free plan)

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Transcript

Find out weeks before a certificate expires, not when visitors see a security warning. Here's how to monitor an SSL certificate in GuardYak.

Start a new check and choose SSL Certificate.

Name the check, then paste the site's address. Set how many days of warning you want. Twenty-one gives you three weeks to renew.

Select Next, then add the email address that should hear about problems.

Select Review, check the summary, and create it. The new check joins your list, and GuardYak starts checking on its next run.

Steps

  1. Choose the check type ▶ 0:11

    In Checks, select + New check, then select SSL Certificate.

    New check page with the SSL Certificate check type highlighted

  2. Fill in the details ▶ 0:15

    Enter a Check name and the site's URL, then set Warn when expiring within (days). The check also fails if the certificate isn't trusted or doesn't match the hostname. Every 6 hours is plenty for this kind of check.

    Configure step for a SSL Certificate check with its fields filled in

  3. Choose who gets alerts ▶ 0:24

    Select Next. Under Address, enter the email that should receive alerts.

    Notify step with an email address entered for alerts

  4. Create the check ▶ 0:30

    Select Review, check the summary, then select Create check. The new check appears on Checks.

    Checks list showing the new Client portal certificate check
ResultThe check appears on Checks with type SSL Certificate. GuardYak warns you when expiry falls inside your window.

Next steps

Updated 2026-11-03