Plex to Allow Free SSL Encryption

Plex gave its users an important security upgrade last week. The home media streaming platform announced that all its users are getting free SSL certificates, enabling them to connect to their media over an encrypted HTTPS connection. The new feature is a partnership with certificate authority DigiCert, Plex says the project is “one of the largest implementations of publicly trusted certificates, ever.”

The new Plex feature isn’t just for Plex Plus subscribers who pay $5 per month to get a host of different features. Even free users will get the added security. The certificates work whether you are accessing a Plex media server remotely or over your local network.Certificates encrypt any data being sent between you and your plex server, preventing anyone spying on your data traffic, it works (in layman’s terms) by your PC / device having the “Key” and your plex server, the “lock”. Neither can see any data on the other without the key or lock. Quite simple, but highly effective.
Anyone using Plex at home just needs  to update their Plex server to the latest version. Then make sure you’re signed into your Plex account. Afterward go to Settings > Server > Network  and ensure that ‘Secure connections’ is enabled.  Once that is  done the SSL feature should start working when you visit app.plex.tv. If it still doesn’t work try rebooting your media server.

Even though your server has an SSL certificate, it currently works to create an encrypted connection with specific Plex apps. You can get a trusted HTTPS connection on Android, Plex Home Theater, Plex Web App, Roku (preview app), Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone.Anyone using Plex apps on a gaming console, smart TV, or iOS will have to wait for updates in the coming weeks.

Thank you to PCworld for providing us with this information

Image courtesy of LifeHacker