To enhance the security of internet traffic, websites must use an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. SSL certificates encrypt data traffic between websites and users, thereby preventing unauthorised access to or alteration of data. In this blog post, we’ll introduce the different types of SSL certificates and help you decide which is the best choice for you.

Domain-Validated (DV) SSL certificates

The Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificate is the quickest to obtain and the cheapest type of SSL. This certificate is the best choice if you run a simple, non-commercial website, such as a blog or a personal portfolio. The DV SSL certificate only verifies the domain name and does not require any organisational information. The green padlock icon appears in the browser’s address bar, but the company name is not displayed.

Organisation-Validated (OV) SSL certificates

Organisation-Validated (OV) SSL certificates are more secure than DV SSLs and involve organisation verification. We recommend these certificates to companies and organisations for whom brand loyalty and customer trust are important. Before issuance, the CA (Certificate Authority) verifies the organisation’s name, address and other details. A green padlock icon appears in the browser’s address bar, but the company name is not displayed.

Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates

Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates offer the highest level of protection and authentication. EV SSL certificates are ideal for financial organisations, online trading platforms and large companies, where customer trust and data protection are of paramount importance. The Certificate Authority (CA) carries out more rigorous checks when issuing EV SSL certificates, including verification of company details and the identity of company directors. The company name appears alongside the green padlock icon in the browser address bar, which instils added confidence in visitors.

Free SSL certificates, such as Let’s Encrypt

Let’s Encrypt is a popular, free and open-source SSL certificate provider that issues automated Domain Validated (DV) certificates. Let’s Encrypt aims to make encryption more accessible and easier to install for everyone, thereby helping to improve web security. Although free SSL certificates do not offer the same level of security and authentication as OV or EV SSLs, they still provide adequate protection for smaller websites, blogs and personal projects. It is important to note that Let’s Encrypt certificates have a shorter validity period, typically 90 days, and require regular renewal. However, many web hosting providers and tools support automatic renewal, thereby minimising the maintenance work involved.

In summary

SSL certificates play a critical role in encrypting data traffic between websites and users, thereby ensuring data security and customer trust. There are four main types of SSL certificates: Domain Validated (DV), Organisation Validated (OV), Extended Validation (EV) and free certificates, such as Let’s Encrypt. DV SSLs are quick to obtain and low-cost, making them ideal for personal or smaller websites. OV and EV SSLs offer greater security and authentication, primarily for corporate and commercial purposes. Finally, free certificates, such as Let’s Encrypt, enable simple and cost-effective encryption for smaller projects and blogs. When choosing the right SSL certificate, it is important to consider the purpose of the website, the required level of security and customer expectations.

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