Types of SSL Digital Certificates
Which SSL Digital Certificate Do I Need? Helping You Choose
Web IP Provide free advise on the best type of SSL Digital Certificate for your business.
The ways for which SSL Digital Certificates are being used is diverisfying more and more everyday. The applications for which SSL is being used has also expanded. For example:
- Some organisations need SSL Digital Certificate simply for confidentiality, e.g. encryption
- Some organisations wish to use SSL Digital Certificate create a greate sense of trust in their brand, e.g. they want to show legitimacy and security.
As the applications for SSL have started to become wider, three types of SSL Certificate have emerged:
- Domain validation SSL Certificates: where the Certification Authority checks the right of the applicant to use a specific domain name
- Organisation validation SSL Certificates: where the Certification Authority checks the right of the applicant to use a specific domain name PLUS it conducts some vetting of the organization
- Extended Validation SSL Certificates: where the Certification Authority checks the right of the applicant to use a specific domain name PLUS it conducts a THOROUGH vetting of the organisation
SSL Providers use complex naming and classifications, but the basic features used in SSL Digital Certificates are fairly common accross all brands of SSL. Web IP can assist with you choose a certificate that best suites your needs and avoid an otherwise time consuming and frustrating “which certificate do I need” issue.
Thawte SSL Digital Certificates
Thawte was the first certificate authority to issue SSL certificates to public entities outside of the United States, quickly accounting for 40% of the global SSL market. In 2000, Thawte was acquired by VeriSign, Inc. and has become a key member of the VeriSign family of trust brands. To date, Thawte has issued more than 945,000 SSL and code signing certificates since 1995, protecting identities and transactions in over 240 countries.
- Thawte SSL 123 Certificate (Domain Validation SSL Digital Certificate): The SSL 123 Digital Certificate is an entry level certificate providing basic validation and authentication. It is well priced, with basic levels of encryption. includes:
- the fastest issuance time to quickly enable encrypted connections to your web server.
- provides up to 256-bit encryption for intranets, mail servers, and other web-based applications
- SSL123 Certificates include domain authentication
- Thawte Web Server Certificate (Organisation Validation SSL Digital Certificate): Offers comprehensive authentication for the certificate owner’s. Thawte SSL Web Server Certificates secure confidential information exchanged online and confirm your site’s identity to employees, business partners, and other users. When users click the Thawte Trusted Site Seal or view certificate details, your organization name appears and shows that Thawte has verified the site’s identity. SSL Web Server Certificates include full organization authentication.
- 128-bit or 256-bit encryption
- Optional Extended Validation or Wildcard
- Thawte SGC SuperCert (Organisation Validation SSL Digital Certificate): .Thawte SGC SuperCerts help keep online transactions secure by enabling every web site visitor to experience the strongest SSL encryption available to them. Most SSL Digital Certificates are capable of strong encryption (128-bit or higher), however, certain older browsers and operating systems cannot step-up to 128-bit encryption unless an SSL Digital Certificate with SGC technology is used. SGC SuperCerts include SGC, full organization authentication, the Thawte® Trusted Site Seal, free reissues, and a 30-day money back guarantee.
- Thawte Wild Card Certificate (Organisation Validation SSL Digital Certificate): Thawte Wildcard SSL Digital Certificates secure multiple subdomains with a single SSL Digital Certificate, reducing management time and cost. Using the wildcard notation (an asterisk and period before your domain name) allows you to extend security to different subdomains based on your top-level domain name. Wildcard SSL Digital Certificates include full organization validation, free reissues and a 30-day money back guarantee.
WebIP on Thawte: We believe Thawte off the best value in terms of all other providers. They are mid range, but their service is excellent and Thawte are a well respected brand.
Verisign SSL Digital Certificates
VeriSign is the SSL Certificate provider of choice for over 93% of the Fortune 500 and the world’s 40 largest banks. According to a TNS Study in 2006, the VeriSign Secured® Seal is the most recognised symbol of trust on the Internet and is served over 150 million times a day.
- Verisign Secure Site (Organisation Validation SSL Digital Certificate): Is the basic Verisign entry level Digital Certificate. It offers:
- Full business authentication
- 40-bit to 256-bit Encryption
- US$100,000 warranty
- VeriSign Secured® Seal
- Installation Checker
- Verisign Secure Site Pro (Organisation Validation SSL Digital Certificate): Same as above, just with a higher warranty and enables a stronger level of encryption. It offers:
- 128-bit minimum to 256-bit encryption
- Full business authentication
- US$250,000 warranty
- VeriSign Secured® Seal
- Installation Checker
- Verisign Extended Validation: Both of the above mentioned products have an option of extended validation. That is the process by which Verisign undergo rigorous check to ensure that you are who you say you are. Extended Validation is seen as being the best form of Digital Certificate in terms of security.
- Web IP on Verisign: They are definitely the industry leader in SSL Digital Certificates (almost 60% market share), but are also the most expensive. They have an excellent reputation and their security measures are second to none.
GeoTrust SSL Digital Certificates
- GeoTrust QuickSSL(Domain Validation SSL Digital Certificate): is the GeoTrust basic entry level Certificate. Domain Validation SSL Digital Certificate
- Geo Trust True BusinessID (Organisation Validation SSL Digital Certificate): Enables web level encryption up to 256k. Next level up from Quick SSL
- Extended Validation: Provided extensive check of purchasing organisation to ensure you are who you say you are.
- True BusinessID Wildcard: has a unique ability to secure multiple sub-domains. So if you plan on running a lot of sub domain then this is the Digital Certificate for you.
Web IP on Geo Trust: A good low to mid size provider. I wish they had an Australian Office!
Comodo SSL Digital Certificates
- Comodo Standard SSL: Recommended for all standard e-commmerce enabled website, as well as internet and extranets. Domain Validation SSL Digital Certificate
- Comodo Premium SSL (Organisation Validation SSL Digital Certificate): Recommended for all e-commmerce enabled websites conducting high volume / high value transactions, as well as internet and extranets
- Comodo Wild Card SSL: Has the ability to secure multiple sub-domains.
- WebIP on Comodo: A good cheap provider.
