OpenSSL is a software library that is used for security-related tasks on Linux. It is also known as the fundamental component of the Linux distribution. It is used in securing the remote connections which are using the SSH. Database servers including MySQL also support OpenSSL to secure its connections.
OpenSSL can be installed on different Linux distributions including Ubuntu and Debian. This post explains the installation methods for the OpenSSL on Debian 12 using the Terminal.
What are the Installation Methods for OpenSSL on Debian 12?
One can install OpenSSL on Debian 12 using one of the two methods listed below:
Method 1: Install OpenSSL on Debian 12 Using the Default Repository’s Package
The first recommended method is to install the packages on Debian 12 using the package available in its default repository. Use the next-mentioned steps to install OpenSSL using the default package.
Step 1: Launch the Terminal
With the CTRL+ALT+T shortcuts key, open and launch the terminal of Debian 12 to run the commands:
Step 2: Update the Packages
Once the terminal is launched, use the “update” option of the apt command to ensure all the packages are up to date:
$ sudo apt update
Step 3: Search for the OpenSSL Package
Now search for the available version of the OpenSSL package on Debian:
$ sudo apt show openssl
Step 4: Install OpenSSL on Debian
To install the available package of the OpenSSL on Debian, use the command:
$ sudo apt install openssl -y
Step 5: Verify the Installation
Display the installed version of the OpenSSL on Debian to verify its installation:
$ openssl version
OpenSSL has successfully installed on Debian 12 by using the installation package available in its default repository.
How to Uninstall OpenSSL on Debian 12?
To remove and uninstall the package of OpenSSL on Debian 12 with its all configuration files, run the command:
$ sudo apt purge openssl -y
Also, remove all the packages which are not being used by the system for a long time:
$ sudo apt autoremove -y
Method 2: Install OpenSSL on Debian 12 Using the Source Code
Another method of installing the OpenSSL on Debian 12 is by using its source code. Execute the commands listed in the steps below to do this.
Step 1: Navigate to the Directory
First, navigate to the directory where it is supposed to download the package of OpenSSL:
$ cd /usr/local/src
Step 2: Download the OpenSSL
Download the OpenSSL package from the “Downloads” section of its official website. This can also be downloaded with the wget command:
$ sudo wget --no-check-certificate https://www.openssl.org/source/openssl-1.1.1w.tar.gz
Confirm the downloading by extracting the contents of the directory using the command:
$ ls
Step 3: Extract the tar Folder
Now extract the downloaded tar installation folder of the OpenSSL with the command:
$ sudo tar -xf openssl-1.1.1w.tar.gz
Step 4: Navigate to the OpenSSL Directory
When the tar directory is extracted, navigate to the extracted directory of OpenSSL:
$ cd openssl-1.1.1w
Step 5: Install configuration of OpenSSL
Install the configuration files of the OpenSSL with the execution of the command:
$ sudo ./config --prefix=/usr/local/ssl --openssldir=/usr/local/ssl shared zlib
Step 6: Compile the OpenSSL
Now compile all the binaries of the OpenSSL:
$ sudo make
Step 7: Install OpenSSL on Debian 12
When the compilation of the OpenSSL binaries are completed, then install them using the command:
$ sudo make install
Step 8: Verify the Installation
To verify the installation, again display the version of it:
$ /usr/local/ssl/bin/openssl version
These are the two different methods by which OpenSSL can be installed on Debian 12.
Conclusion
To install OpenSSL on Debian 12, either run the “sudo apt install openssl” in the terminal or download the source package from its official website. In this tutorial’s step-by-step guidance, both techniques are explained in detail. The installation using the source package is used to install the latest version of the OpenSSL on Debian 12.
