SSL Certificate

An SSL certificate (Secure Socket Layer) is a digital certificate that encrypts and authenticates any communication between users and web servers. The SSL certificate safely sends data like passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive information, and protects that data from being intercepted by third parties. Although the term that is most commonly used is SSL, the most recent version actually uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) technology. This is why the terms SSL and TLS certificate are sometimes used interchangeably.

SSL uses asymmetric encryption. The public key is imbedded in the certificate, whereas the private key remains on the server.

There are a few types of SSL certificates:

Domain-Validated Certificate (DV)

Domain-validated certificates are cheap and readily available certificates that verify whether or not the certificate is linked to a domain. These certificates are suited to small websites or blogs.

Organisation-Validated Certificate (OV)

Organisation-validated certificates require more verification than DV certificates do, so are also more trustworthy and reliable. OV certificates check both the domain as well as the organisation of a website. These certificates are suited to company websites.

Extended-Validated Certificate (EV)

Extended-validated certificates offers the highest level of protection out of all SSL-certificates, which also involves the highest level of verification. These certificates are suited to banks, ecommerce websites and other websites that handle sensitive information.

Wild Card Certificate

A wild card certificate protects the main website as well as any subdomains. For example, a wild card applies to www.mydomain.be, as well as shop.mydomain.be and blog.mydomain.be.

Multi-Domain Certificate (SAN)

As the name suggests, multi-domain certificates protect multiple domains. This certificate is therefor perfectly suited to businesses with multiple company websites.