How Many Different Types of SSL Certificates in the SSL Market
Different Types of SSL Certificates – DV SSL, OV SSL & EV SSL
Today, Internet users are getting more & more aware of their website, databases & information’s security needs. To protect important information such as credit card details, passwords, and personal information, SSL Certificates is by far the best option out there. SSL secures the communication held between browser and server, which means no one can see the information sent by you to the website. That is why SSL is regarded as the bridge between the browser and server. As the number of data breaches, cyber-attacks, and malware attacks is increasing day by day, use of SSL certificate has become a must. Not only the e-commerce stores, but other parties such as social media networks, banks, Governments, small/medium level businesses also need SSL Certificates to secure their user’s private information. Let’s find the different types of SSL certificates available in the market today.
A Comprehensive Guide to Different Types of SSL Certificates
Extended Validated (EV) SSL Certificate
EV SSL Certificate is the most recommended SSL type as it displays the business name in URL which indicates the legitimacy of the business and ensures the users that the information being shared by them is not accessible by others. It delivers robust encryption up to 256-bit, which boosts the user’s trust and confidence in the website.
To issues an EV SSL certificate, the issuer need to submit important business documents as per the certificate authority’s requirement. It takes up to 10 days to issue an EV SSL Certificate. Read our EV SSL certificate document requirement guideline for more information.
Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificate
Organization validated SSL is highly recommended to validate online business. It delivers up to 256-bit encryption length and is supported by 99.9% web and mobile browsers. Business name is displayed in certificate and a CA’s seal, which is considered to be a trust indicator.
To issue an organization validated SSL certificate, the user/organization needs to submit business documents as per the requirement of certificate authority (CA). It takes up to 3 days to issue an OV SSL. Read our OV SSL Certificate document guide for more information.
Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificate
Domain validated SSL certificate is used to validate the domain name only. If a user carries a small/medium level website, DV SSL certificate is the best option. Like OV & EV SSL, a DV SSL certificate can also deliver up to 256-bit encryption strength. The validation process for the domain validated (DV) certificate is pretty simple. Here, the user only needs to prove the domain ownership to the certificate authority (CA). SSL certificate authority can ask for email verification, file bases verification, or can check the website’s web registrar’s information to validate the domain.
SSL Certificate comes up with two most important feature as
- SAN/ Multi-domain
- Wildcard
SAN/Multi-domain SSL
If a user wishes to secure his/her website along with multiple domain names under a single SSL certificate, then SAN/Multi-domain helps to make it possible. Here the first domain works as base domain (E.g. www.domain1.com) and the other domains
Examples
- www.domain-name.com
- domain-name.com
- domain-name.net
- domain-name.org
- etc…
Wildcard SSL
Wildcard SSL certificates are used if a user wishes to secure his/her domain name along with multiple sub-domains under a single certificate. It can secure the base domain and an infinite number of first level sub-domains. Wildcard SSL Certificate is available with domain validation (DV) and organization validation (OV).
Examples
- www.domain-name.com
- domain-name.com
- blog.domain-name.com
- info.domain-name.com
- login.domain-name.com
SSL Certificate also comes up with other features as
Unified Communication Certificates (UCC)
These certificates intend to secure Microsoft Exchange server and Microsoft Office Communication server. It works same way as the Multi Domain SSL certificate, described above. It can secure base domain along with multiple fully qualified domain names (up to 25 to 100). The number of sub-domains secured depends on the Certificate Authority (CA).
Examples
- www.domain-name.com
- domain-name.com
- domain-name.net
- domain-name.org
- etc…
Multi Domain Wildcard SSL Certificate
These certificates allow user to secure multiple domain names along with an infinite number of sub-domains. It is available with domain validation (DV) and organization validation (OV).
Examples
- www.domain-name.com
- domain-name.com
- domain-name.net
- blog.domain-name.net
- login.domain-name.com
Popular websites to purchase an SSL Certificates
- The SSL Store – A Platinum Partner of Symantec
- Comodo SSL Store – Largest Comodo SSL Reseller
- RapidSSLonline – A Largest SSL Reseller of RapidSSL & Other SSLs
- SSL.com – A Certificate Authority