Having a secure website is critical in maintaining the trust of your clients and safeguarding their sensitive information. One way to achieve website security is through the use of an SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer certificate). SSL certificates are used to secure web pages and make secure connections between different computers.
SSL certificates protect sensitive information such as payment information, online accounts, and personal information. Google also offers SEO incentives for sites that have installed SSL certificates. This article will cover the 6 different types of SSL certificates that you can use for your website.
What Does an SSL Certificate Do?
In short, an SSL certificate is a code that provides security to your web server. It allows for a secure and encrypted connection, similar to sealing an envelope before sending it in the mail.
An SSL certificate signifies that your website meets a certain standard of security. SSL certificates are granted by independent third-party organizations, called certificate authorities (CA), that validate websites. The verification process differs depending on the CA and the certificate purchased, but typically involves the CA checking that the domain name matches the information provided by the site owner.
Types of SSL Certificates
SSL certificates can be grouped based on different features. SSL certificates are granted by a Certificate Authority (CA). In general, SSL certificates are divided into two groups based on the validation level and the number of secured domains.
SSLs by Validation Level
1. Domain Validation Certificates
Domain validation certificates are the least rigorous validation procedure. CAs validate that the applicant’s name and contact information match the registrational information in the WHOIS database. Domain validation certificates are a good option for businesses where customers are not sending sensitive data or are not as concerned with web privacy. They are also the least secure and cheapest option for SSL certificates.
2. Organisational Validation Certificates
The primary purpose of organizational validation certificates is to verify that sensitive user information is encrypted during site transactions. OV SSL certificates indicate a high assurance that user information will be kept safe and secure. Public or commercial facing websites are legally required to have at least an OV SSL certificate installed to safeguard customer information. The CA will check to see if site owners have the rights to the domain name before issuing an OV SSL certification. Acquiring an OV SSL certification requires an extensive validation process.
3. Extended Validation Certificate
Extended validation certificates are the most secure and highest-ranking SSL certificates. They display as a padlock next to the domain name in the browser address bar. Site owners must go through a lengthy validation process to receive an EV SSL certificate that checks if they have exclusive rights to the domain. EV SSL certificates are used in high-profile sites that deal with financial information, like Amazon and Apple.
To get a free SSL certificate, you can actually get one for free with a web host. To see a list, you can see my top Australian web hosts with free SSL certificates.
SSL Certificates by Number of Secured Domains
4. Single Domain Certificate
A single domain certificate secures only one domain. For instance, if you purchase a single domain certificate, only your main domain name (e.g. www.domain.com) will be protected, and not any subdomains. These SSL certificates can be DV, OV, or EV SSL certificates. Single domain SSL certificates are typically used by small-to-medium-sized businesses that do not have many domain pages to secure.
5. Wildcard Certificate
A Wildcard SSL certificate is similar to a single domain certificate, with one significant difference; it covers all subdomains under your root domain. This means that a single certificate can protect an unlimited number of subdomains.
While Wildcard certificates are useful for safeguarding multiple subdomains, revoking a certificate on one subdomain requires it to be revoked on all other subdomains. Therefore, it is sometimes more advantageous to purchase multiple certificates rather than extending a single certificate to several domains.
6. Multi-domain Certificate
Multi-domain certificates, as the name implies, are SSL certificates that secure multiple domain names. Although they are typically the most expensive type of SSL certificates, they provide the broadest security coverage.
Multi-domain certificates, also known as Unified Communications (UCC) certificates, use subject alternate names to secure multiple domain names. Depending on the certification authority (CA), multi-domain certificates can be used to secure up to 100 distinct domain names.
For example, a multi-domain certificate can secure domain and subdomain names such as Domain.com, Mail.domain.com, Contact.domain.com, and Anotherdomain.com.
UCC certificates offer the most flexibility in terms of SSL certificates and are commonly used by high-profile businesses that have multiple domain names to secure.
Conclusions
SSL certificates are crucial for building trust among customers and ensuring a thriving online business. Without an SSL certificate, customers cannot be guaranteed that their personal information is safe, making them less likely to use your services.
Therefore, if you run a web-based business, it is essential to obtain an SSL certificate as soon as possible. Doing so will save you a lot of trouble with web security in the long run.