create self signed cretificate

[maldar]

hi all
for some reason I must save my user's credit number in database,I know that it is very bad idea but in my reagon I have no another way to do.
I deside to use ssl for all transmition . ssl is installed in my server and i create pgp keys,
but everywhen I use https://www.mysite.com/script.php I recieve this error message :
The page can not be displayed
or sometimes get this :
Action canceled

I know tath it is possible to create a self-signed cretificate but do not know how??is https is free to run?
how I must use self signed cretificate in my script or host?
I want to enable https:// in my website without buy a cretificate is it possible?.
I've read several articles and visited serveral sites but did not found any thing useful and all they seem to do is confuse me more...

I will be glad to recieve any tip or link (that may be useful)
please help me
thanks in advance

[freakysid]

which OS, which web server?

[maldar]

Linux operating system
and Apache web server

[freakysid]

First, you must have openssl installed on the server:
http://www.openssl.org/

Next you need to install modssl and configure apache to load mod_ssl
http://www.modssl.org

Once you have that all installed you need to:

a) Generate a private key for your server.
b) Create a self signed certificate
c) Configure a virtual host in apache for https (port 443) requests under your domain which will use the self signed certificate

Here are two references. You should be able to google for more:
http://slacksite.com/apache/certificate.html
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/SSL-RedHat-HOWTO-3.html

I would give you more specific instructions on the self signed certificate generation part - but I am not an expert on this.

[i_like_php]

awww running ssl on a linux server is easy let me get you the link that will help you get it working.

http://www.devside.net/web/server/linux/apache-ssl-zlib

[maldar]

thanks to all
these are great link and helpful instruction for me
tanks again very much