SSL Certificates

Wildcard SSL certificates secures your website URL and an unlimited number of its subdomains. For example, a single Wildcard certificate can secure www.coolexample.com, blog.coolexample.com, and store.coolexample.com.

Wildcard certificates secure the common name and all subdomains at the level you specify when you submit your request. Just add an asterisk (*) in the subdomain area to the left of the common name.

Examples

If you request your certificate for *.coolexample.com, you can secure:

• coolexample.com
• www.coolexample.com
• photos.coolexample.com
• blog.coolexample.com

If you request your certificate for *.coolexample.com, you can secure:

• www.coolexample.com
• mail.www.coolexample.com
• photos.www.coolexample.com
• blog.www.coolexample.com

Wildcard certificates secure websites just like regular SSL certificates, and requests are processed using the same validation methods. However, some Web servers might require a unique IP address for each subdomain on the Wildcard certificate.

A DV SSL certificate is the most basic type of SSL certificate, primarily focused on verifying domain ownership. It confirms you have the right to use the domain name for your website. The verification process is quick and straightforward, usually involving checking the domain’s WHOIS record or sending a confirmation email to a pre-approved address associated with the domain. DV SSLs are suitable for blogs, personal websites, or small businesses where the main goal is to encrypt data transmission and display the padlock icon in the browser.

When visitors access your website with a DV SSL certificate, their browser checks the certificate’s validity. The browser verifies if the certificate was issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) and if it matches the domain name. The browser establishes a secure, encrypted connection with your website if everything checks out. This encryption prevents unauthorized parties from intercepting data transmitted between the browser and your server.

DV SSL certificates offer several benefits, including

• Basic encryption: Protects data transmitted between your website and visitors.
• Phishing protection: This helps prevent fraudulent websites from impersonating your site.
• Trustworthiness: The padlock icon and “https://” in the address bar signal to users that your website is secure, building trust and credibility.
• SEO boost: Search engines like Google favor websites with SSL certificates, potentially improving your search ranking.

The primary limitation of DV SSL is that it doesn’t verify the organization’s identity. The certificate only confirms domain ownership, not the legitimacy of the business or organization behind it. This makes DV SSL less suitable for e-commerce websites or those handling sensitive financial or personal data, requiring a higher level of trust.

An OV SSL certificate provides a higher level of assurance than DV SSL. In addition to verifying domain ownership, it also confirms the organization’s identity when applying for the certificate. This involves a more thorough vetting process by the Certificate Authority (CA), including verifying the organization’s legal existence, physical address, and phone number.

The OV SSL process involves submitting documentation to the CA, such as business registration papers and articles of incorporation. The CA then verifies this information to ensure it matches public records. Once validated, the OV SSL certificate is issued, providing a higher trust level than DV SSL.

OV SSL offers several advantages, including:

• Enhanced trust: Displays the organization’s name in the certificate details, assuring visitors of the website’s legitimacy.
• Increased credibility: Builds stronger trust with customers and partners, especially for businesses that handle sensitive information.
• Phishing protection: The more rigorous verification process helps prevent phishing attacks.

OV SSL is recommended for businesses of all sizes, particularly those that conduct e-commerce transactions or handle sensitive customer data. It’s also a good choice for organizations that want to establish a more robust online identity and demonstrate their commitment to security.

An EV SSL certificate is the most prestigious type of SSL certificate, offering the highest level of validation and trust. It requires the most stringent verification process by the CA, including confirming the organization’s legal existence, physical address, operational status, and domain ownership.

The EV SSL process involves thoroughly investigating the organization applying for the certificate. The CA typically requires official documentation, such as business licenses and articles of incorporation, and may even conduct interviews with company representatives. This rigorous validation ensures that a legitimate and trustworthy entity operates the website.

EV SSL certificates provide several significant benefits:

• Highest level of trust: The organization’s name is displayed prominently in the browser’s address bar, often with a green background, indicating the highest verification level.
• Increased conversions: The green address bar and prominent display of the organization’s name can significantly boost user trust, leading to higher conversion rates.
• Enhanced security: The stringent verification process makes EV SSL a powerful deterrent against phishing scams.

EV SSL is recommended for e-commerce websites, financial institutions, healthcare providers, government agencies, and any organization that handles highly sensitive data. It’s precious for businesses that want to establish the highest trust and security with their online customers.

A UCC (Unified Communications Certificate) SSL certificate, or a SAN (Subject Alternative Name) certificate, is designed to secure multiple domain names under a single certificate. This is useful when multiple websites or subdomains need protection.

SAN (Subject Alternative Name) is another term for UCC SSL. It refers to including multiple domain names or IP addresses within a single SSL certificate. Each additional domain or IP address is listed as a SAN entry.

A Wildcard SSL is an excellent choice if you have multiple subdomains and want to simplify certificate management. Instead of purchasing separate certificates for each subdomain, you can use a single Wildcard SSL to secure them all.

A UCC/SAN SSL is ideal when you need to secure multiple domain names, such as “example.com,” “example.net,” and “example.org,” under one certificate. It’s a cost-effective and efficient way to protect multiple websites or subdomains.

SSL certificates are essential for website security and privacy. They encrypt the data transmitted between your website and its visitors, protecting sensitive information like login credentials, credit card numbers, and personal data from hackers intercepting it. Additionally, SSL certificates help establish trust with visitors by displaying the padlock icon and “https://” in the browser’s address bar.

Choosing the proper SSL certificate involves considering several factors:

• Validation Level: Based on your website’s purpose and the level of trust you want to establish, determine whether you need DV, OV, or EV validation.
• Number of Domains/Subdomains: Choose a standard SSL for a single domain, a Wildcard SSL for multiple subdomains, or a UCC/SAN SSL for multiple domain names.
• Budget: SSL certificates vary in price depending on their type and features. Consider your budget and your website’s specific security needs.