Ssl – Renewing/Replacing SSL cert in Apache. Will browser display SSL changed warning

apache-2.2renewssl

My RapidSSL Certificate is about to expire and I need to renew it. From what I understand, I can use the existing signature (less secure) or generate a new request. In either case, once I install the new key, is there any chance that browsers will display a warning or error message to users saying that the SSL cert has changed?

Also, I have some automated programs that SFTP information to my server every morning. Will they get a message that the server's signature has changed and manually need to accept?

Thanks

Best Answer

1) The browsers won't balk at the new certificate as long as it's signed by a trusted authority, so if you buy it from one of the regular channels, or sign it using an in-house CA that your browsers trust, then you're fine

2) sftp deals with the certificates that are part of the SSL/SSH subsystem, not the apache certificates, so it will be unaffected.