In today’s digital landscape, ensuring your website is online 24/7 is not just a preference — it’s a necessity. Even the most reliable hosting or VPS doesn’t guarantee uninterrupted availability. A crucial component of maintaining your site’s stability is monitoring the uptime of DNS and SSL certificates, especially for domains in the .UA zone, where trust and availability are essential for business continuity.

In this article, we’ll explore why monitoring DNS and SSL uptime matters, which free and paid tools are available, and what specific considerations apply to .UA domains.

What Is DNS Uptime and Why Monitor It?

DNS uptime refers to the uninterrupted availability of your domain name system — the mechanism that allows browsers and users to locate your website online.

Even if your server is running, if your DNS is down, your site will be inaccessible. Common causes of DNS issues include:

  • downtime at the DNS provider;
  • configuration errors in DNS records;
  • expired domain name;
  • malicious DNS manipulation (e.g., DNS spoofing).

Monitoring DNS uptime helps you:

  • detect issues with DNS resolution in real time;
  • receive instant alerts in case of failure;
  • prevent traffic loss and maintain user trust;
  • protect your site from DNS-based attacks.

Why Monitor SSL Certificates?

SSL certificates ensure encrypted, secure communication between a user’s browser and your server. Problems can arise when:

  • the certificate expires;
  • HTTPS is misconfigured;
  • root or intermediate certificates are deprecated (e.g., due to browser updates).

SSL monitoring allows you to:

  • receive alerts before a certificate expires;
  • verify that encryption protocols meet modern security standards;
  • prevent browser errors like “invalid certificate” that deter users from accessing your site.

Why It Matters for .UA Domains

Ukrainian domains have specific characteristics that make uptime monitoring especially important:

  • high trust and security expectations among Ukrainian audiences;
  • frequent use of free SSL certificates, which expire every 90 days and require regular renewal;
  • implementation of DNSSEC, which adds complexity and requires monitoring;
  • increased cyberattacks targeting Ukrainian infrastructure, making proactive monitoring a necessity.

Free Monitoring Tools

1. Uptime Robot

  • Monitors HTTPS, DNS, ports, keywords.
  • 5-minute check intervals.
  • Alerts via email, Telegram, Slack.
  • Free plan includes up to 50 monitors.

A great entry-level tool suitable for basic monitoring of .UA websites.

2. SSL Labs (by Qualys)

  • Deep SSL configuration analysis.
  • Grades encryption strength and protocol support.
  • Assigns security rating (A to F).
  • No automatic monitoring, but ideal for periodic checks.

3. StatusCake (free tier)

  • Uptime monitoring with 5-minute intervals.
  • Email notifications.
  • Limited number of tests in the free version.

Paid Monitoring Tools

1. Pingdom (by SolarWinds)

  • One of the most accurate services for global uptime monitoring.
  • Detailed DNS and SSL performance reports.
  • Test locations worldwide, including Europe.
  • Notifications via SMS, email, and push.
  • DevOps and API integration.

2. HetrixTools

  • Clean, user-friendly dashboard with Ukrainian language support.
  • DNS and SSL monitoring included.
  • Public status pages and embeddable widgets.
  • Webhook and API integrations.

3. Better Uptime

  • Combines monitoring, incident logs, and analytics.
  • Tracks both availability and response time.
  • Offers a free plan with limited features, and robust paid tiers.

Which Tool Should You Choose?

It depends on your project’s size and requirements:

  • For personal blogs or small websites: Uptime Robot + manual checks with SSL Labs are often enough.
  • For online stores or VPS-hosted projects: Use HetrixTools or Better Uptime with automatic SSL tracking.
  • For large businesses or colocated infrastructure: Implement a layered monitoring system with SMS alerts, webhook integrations, and distributed global checks.

How RX‑NAME Supports Uptime and Security

At rx-name, you can:

  • register a domain in the .UA zone and manage all DNS records;
  • order an SSL certificate with automated renewal, including Let’s Encrypt support;
  • use scalable infrastructure with VPS hosting, dedicated server rental, or server colocation;
  • configure DNSSEC for added protection and data integrity.

Conclusion

Monitoring DNS and SSL uptime is no longer optional — it’s a vital part of keeping your digital presence secure and reliable. With the right tools, you can:

  • detect issues before they affect your users;
  • ensure uninterrupted website availability;
  • maintain high levels of trust and technical credibility.

For domain owners in the .UA zone, these precautions are especially relevant amid growing cybersecurity risks. RX‑NAME offers comprehensive solutions for domain registration, data protection, and stable operation of your online projects.