March 23, 2024

Different Types of SSL Certificates: A Complete Guide (2024)

Different types of SSL certificates help create a secure browsing experience. SSL is the standard security technology. It establishes an encrypted connection between the browser and the web server. These links ensure that the data transfer between browsers and web servers remains integral and private.

Today, I will share a comprehensive guide about the different types of SSL certificates you see. This guide will help you choose the correct SSL certificate for your organization, blog, or website.

A Comprehensive Guide To Different Types of SSL Certificates : eAskme
A Comprehensive Guide To Different Types of SSL Certificates : eAskme
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Remember that SSL certificates are all about trust online.

What is an SSL certificate?

SSL certificate enable HTTPs on a website. It is a security technology that encrypts connection between between browser and website.

Useful SSL Related Terms To Know:

  • CA: Certificate Authority
  • CSR: Certificate Signing Request
  • DV: Domain Validation
  • EV: Extended Validation
  • OV: Organization Validation
  • SSL: Secured Sockets Layer

Different Types of SSL certificates available online:

  • Number of secured sub domains or domains
  • Validation level

Types of SSL Certificates Based on Validation Level:

Domain Validation:

In this SSL certificate, domain validating adds a DNS record or uses an email.

You can quickly obtain this type of SSL certificate. This is the best SSL certificate for small organizations with no extra security. It is also the cheapest SSL certificate. This type of SSL certificate is mainly used on blogs. Remember that SSL certificates are all about trust online.

Features:

  • Cheaper
  • Easily obtained
  • Best for non-sensitive sites or blogs

Organization Validated Certificates (OV SSL):

This type of SSL certificate is recommended for e-commerce sites. It is the minimum certificate for them. Domain ownership is validated using the public database.

Company validation is done by Certificate authority. It could be better, but it is still better than a Domain Validation SSL certificate.

Features:

  • 2-3 days to get activated.
  • Just bettter than Domain validation SSL certificate.
  • Minimum for ecommerce sites.

Extended Validation Certificates (EV SSL):

Extended Validation is highly recommended for websites with transaction features. Obtaining extended SSL validation is a challenging and strict process. It displays the organization in the browser.
 
eCommerce sites, finance sites, and banking sites are mostly used. It offers a green HTTPS address bar.

Features:

  • 7-10 days to activate
  • Comes with green HTTPS address bar

Types of SSL Certificates Based on Secured Domains:

Buying an SSL certificate is a critical decision. Other than the above three, choosing a certificate type based on subdomains and domains is also necessary.

So, let`s see the list of SSL certificates based on domain names.

Single Domain Validated Certificates (DV SSL):

This SSL type is to secure a single hostname, which means if you buy it for the main domain, then it will not secure any subdomains, and if you get it for a subdomain, it will not secure the main domain.

Wildcard SSL Certificate (WSL):

If you want to secure unlimited sub-domains, you should go for this type of SSL.

For example, if I buy a Wildcard SSL Certificate for example.com, it will secure any subdomain such as ask.example.com, forum.example.com, etc.

But it will not secure xyz.ask.example.com

Multi-Domain SSL Certificate (MDC):

If you want an SSL certificate for all domains and subdomains, you need A multi-domain SSL certificate.

Unified Communications Certificate (UCC):

Do you want the SSL certificate for up to 100 domains? If yes, then you need a Unified Communications Certificate (UCC).

These are for Office communications and Microsoft® Exchange environments.

Where to Buy SSL Certificate:

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to ask me via comments.

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