Understanding the different types of SSL Certificates: Which one is right for you?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are one of the most important tools for establishing secure, encrypted connections between a website and browsers. They enable data encryption, verify website identity and activate the padlock and HTTPS protocol.

SSL certificates are small data files issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that digitally bind a cryptographic key to details of an organization. There are different types of certificates depending on validation levels, trust, and additional features.

This comprehensive guide will provide an in-depth understanding of the different SSL certificate types, use cases, and help you choose the right certificate for your website.

How SSL Certificates Work

SSL certificates work through a handshake process between the web server and browser to establish an encrypted connection:

• The web server has a certificate installed containing unique public and private keys along with organization details.
• When attempting to access a web page, the browser requests the SSL certificate from the server.
• The server provides the certificate and proves its identity by showing its private key matches the public key in the certificate.
• The browser verifies certificate validity, organization details, and authorization by the issuing CA.
• If valid, the browser generates a symmetric session key and encrypts it with the server’s public key before sending it.
• The server decrypts this session key with its private key to enable symmetrical encryption of all communication.

This handshake results in an encrypted Transport Layer Security (TLS) channel between the browser and server through which data is securely transmitted.

Why are SSL Certificates Important?

SSL certificates provide a range of crucial security and trust benefits:

Encrypt Sensitive Communication

• SSL certificates encrypt all communication between a website and browser using encryption protocols like TLS 1.2, 1.3.
• They secure sensitive data transmitted like credit cards, SSNs, usernames/passwords, personal info etc.
• Encryption protocols use asymmetric and symmetric encryption keys to encrypt data making it unreadable by cybercriminals.

Authenticate and Identify Websites

• Certificates verify the identity of a website and binding between the domain and business entity.
• Users can check certificate details like business name, location, etc. to confirm they are on the legitimate site.
• Prevents cyber threats like phishing attacks where users are directed to fake websites impersonating real ones.

Protect User Data

• Hackers cannot “eavesdrop” and steal data being transmitted between a browser and website secured by SSL.
• All user activities like transactions, form submissions, downloads etc. done on the site are encrypted end-to-end.

Comply with Industry Regulations

• SSL certificates allow sites to comply with privacy laws like HIPAA for healthcare, PCI DSS for payment card data etc.
• Government and public sector sites can maintain confidentiality by encrypting sensitive communications and documents.

Gain Search Engine Ranking Boost

• Google ranks sites using HTTPS higher than plain HTTP in search results pages (SERP).
• Having an SSL certificate signals legitimacy and trust in a website to search algorithms.

Increase Trust and Conversions

• The padlock icon and HTTPS URL in the browser address bar indicates security to visitors.
• Websites without SSL deliver browser warnings driving away users. Over 50% of online shoppers will not purchase from insecure sites.
• SSL certificates increase customer conversions by instilling trust and assuring privacy protections.

Types of SSL Certificates

SSL certificates are differentiated based on the level of validation, trust and additional features provided.

Validation Levels

Domain Validated (DV) SSL

• Validates control and ownership of the domain name by verifying administrative/technical contacts.
• Confirmation done via response to email, text or automated phone call.
• No verification of organization identity.
• Minimal vetting process so issuance is extremely fast and often automated.
• Ideal for personal websites, blogs and other basic informational sites.

Organization Validated (OV) SSL

• More thorough validation including verifying identity of the business requesting the certificate.
• Requires business documentation like registered address, operational existence, corporate contacts info.
• Displays organization details like business name, location, country prominently in the certificate.
• Ideal for small-medium businesses and ecommerce stores.

Extended Validation (EV) SSL

• Highest level of strict validation checks as per industry guidelines.
• Verifies legal, operational and physical existence through extensive business documentation and background checks.
• Displays organization identity like business name, location prominently in the browser address bar in green.
• Ideal for financial institutions, healthcare providers and high-risk sectors.

Trust Levels

Publicly Trusted Certificates

• Issued by trusted third-party Certificate Authorities like DigiCert, Let’s Encrypt, Comodo etc.
• Require identity and/or domain validation vetting process.
• Trusted automatically by all browsers without manual intervention.
• Need annual renewal upon expiry to maintain trust and avoid warnings.

Self-Signed or Private Certificates

• Organizations issue and sign their own certificates instead of using a public CA.
• Used commonly on internal private networks and enterprise systems.
• Not trusted by browsers by default since they aren’t issued by a standard external CA.
• Must be manually installed and trusted by users to avoid browser warnings.

Wildcard Certificates

Wildcard SSL Certificates

• Single certificate that secures unlimited subdomains of a base domain and site.
• Eliminates need for separate certificates for each subdomain e.g. *.example.com secures www.example.com, support.example.com etc.
• Enables easy scaling to any number of subdomains.
• Requires initial validation of the base domain according to DV, OV or EV criteria.

Extended Features

Single Domain Certificate

• Default standard certificate that secures single domain name – www.example.com OR example.com.

Multi-Domain Certificate

• Secures multiple different domain names owned by an organization under one certificate.
• Allows combining several domains like example.com, example.org, example.net into a single certificate.
• Requires validating control/ownership of all domain names.

SAN Certificate

• SAN refers to Subject Alternative Name which allows listing multiple domains and subdomains in a single certificate.
• Enables securing different domain types – internal domains, public domains, IP addresses etc.
• More flexible and cost-effective alternative to buying multiple certificates.

Unified Communications Certificate

• Special certificates that validate identity across multiple applications and communication protocols.
• Allows securing entire tech ecosystems beyond just websites like VoIP, email, messaging apps etc.
• Used commonly with real-time communication systems and telephony solutions.

Comparison of Different SSL Certificates

Certificate Category :

Certificate Type :

Use Cases and Matching SSL Certificates

Personal Sites

For blogs and small hobby projects, a basic DV certificate provides essential encryption at the lowest cost.

Small Businesses

A standard OV certificate with strong business validation is ideal for building trust with customers.

Corporate Sites

Companies with sensitive data need an Extended Validation certificate for maximum legitimacy and security.

Ecommerce Stores

Online stores should invest in an OV or EV SSL certificate depending on business size to enable secure transactions.

Cloud Apps and Services

Wildcard certificates easily handle security scaling across subdomains for cloud-based products.

VoIP and Video Conferencing

Unified communications certificates encrypt real-time communications over various protocols.

Multi-Site Companies

A SAN certificate can securely consolidate multiple domains and internal sites under one certificate.

Choosing an SSL Certificate Provider

While evaluating Certificate Authorities, check these criteria:

• Trustworthiness – Established history and brand recognition matters more than cheap pricing from unknown CAs.
• Browser compatibility – Certificates must be trusted by all major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari etc. without warnings.
• Compliance standards – Only purchase from CAs audited for industry standards like WebTrust 2.0 and ISO 27001.
• Validation process – Understand and evaluate their vetting process for DV, OV and EV certificate levels before purchase.
• Warranties – Pick CAs that offer high insurance like $1 million+ warranty coverage for losses due to misissued certs.
• Support –responsive customer support channels like phone, email, live chat etc. help in resolving issues faster.
• Cost – While cost is a factor, avoid compromising too much on quality standards for the cheapest certificates.
• User reviews – Check third-party review sites like Trustpilot for feedback on the CA’s services and reliability.

Implementing and Managing SSL Certificates

To implement SSL certificates properly:

• Install certificate on your web server or CDN and activate HTTPS bindings on the default 443 port.
• Update all references in code and content to relative HTTPS protocols for links, images, scripts etc.
• Set up HTTP to HTTPS redirects via .htaccess rules or server settings. Enable HSTS for forcing HTTPS.
• Check and eliminate mixed content errors replacing all insecure HTTP references with HTTPS.
• Test performance over HTTPS and tweak server settings like TLS protocols, ciphers etc. if required.

Ongoing management is also crucial:

• Use certificate lifecycle tools to track renewals and get expiration reminders in advance.
• Renew DV certificates seamlessly through automation. OV and EV may need updated compliance documentation.
• Monitor certificates periodically for issues and be prompt in replacing any compromised or misissued certificates.
• Plan capacity expansion purchases in advance when adding new domains or growing traffic.

Conclusion

SSL certificates are essential for every website to enable secure encrypted connections and user privacy. Choosing the ideal certificate type based on your website purpose, business model and compliance needs is important. A reputed CA provides maximum browser trust and support. With proper implementation and lifecycle management, SSL certificates deliver robust protection and legitimacy to any website. The right certificate choice demonstrates your commitment to customers’ data security and privacy.