In digitalization, where web security is crucial for online business, transactions, and customer information, SSL certificate security plays a pivotal role in securing websites. SSL is the acronym of Secure Socket Layer. Its robust encryption security secures vital site information and transaction details, keeping it safe from hackers. Hence customers love SSL secured sites since it gives them a safe web environment.
Different types of SSL certificate are available in the market from different brands. They come in various validations too. With multiple SSL certificates, it becomes challenging to select the ideal one for your business. All these digital certificates provide similar encryption levels, but they differ in authentications and identities they secure.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of SSL certificates based on their validations, i.e., DV, OV, and EV certificates, and their comparisons so that you can conclude on the ideal choice for your website.
Types of SSL certificates based on their validations
Domain Validation (DV) SSL
Domain Validated SSL certificates are also called Standard SSL certificates, and they secure the company website’s main domain.
Here the Certificate Authority (CA) verifies whether the person requesting the SSL certificate is the actual holder of the domain name. It also checks whether the domain name is registered in the WHOIS register. After the domain authority is verified, the CA issues the SSL certificate.
Features
- Domain Validated Certificates provide 256-bit SSL encryption security and 2048-bit CSR encryption.
- The Email verification process leads to the quick issuance of DV SSL.
- They are available at very cheap rates, e.g., Comodo PositiveSSL is available at a low price of $8.00/year.
- DV SSL certificates are ideal for individuals, small businesses, start-ups, forums, and blogs.
- No business documents are needed for verification for obtaining DV SSL.
- They are compatible with 99% of the browsers and mobile.
- All DV SSL certificates come with warranties depending on the brand selected, money-refund offers, and unlimited server licensing.
- DV SSL certificates come with a site seal, but if the Free SSL option is opted for, site seals and trust logos are missing.
- They are SHA-2 enabled and help boost Google SEO ranks.
The only drawback of this certificate is that since it just validates the domain name, it is not worthy where the highest authentication required like banking and financial sites.
DV can be issued to wildcard SSL and multi domain SSL also as both these certificates fall under DV SSL certificate category.
Look of a DV SSL Certificate in Web Browser
Company information is not available in the Details menu of the Certificate, as shown in the image above.
Examples of DV SSL: Comodo PositiveSSL, RapidSSL, Thawte SSL123, etc.
Organization Validation (OV) SSL
Organization Validation (OV) SSL takes little bit more time compare to DV SSL because the OV SSL requires domain and business authentication of a registered business as well confirmation with the third party business resources.
Features
- OV SSL certificates also provide 256-bit SSL encryption security and 2048-bit CSR encryption.
- Since full organization validation is required, the issuance time of OV SSL is 1-3 business days.
- They are costlier than DV SSL because of in-depth verification of organization, and security of both domains and subdomains, depending on the type of SSL certificate selected for example, Comodo InstantSSL Pro certificates are available at a rate of $48.00/year.
- OV SSL certificates are ideal for medium businesses that desire to have business authentication.
- Websites that requires strong encryption and online verified business identity should opt for OV SSL.
- Business documents are needed for verification for obtaining OV SSL.
- They are compatible with 99% of the browsers and mobile.
- All OV SSL certificates come with high warranties depending on the brand selected, money-refund offers, and unlimited server licensing.
- OV SSL certificates come with a dynamic site seal that displays the authenticated organization details and time stamp offered from trusted CA’s.
- For Wildcard SSL certificates, OV SSL is the highest validation option available since there is no EV option.
- They are SHA-2 enabled and help boost Google SEO ranks.
Apart from these features and benefits, the organization needs to clear the following processes for getting an OV SSL security for their website.
- Authenticating the Domain name
- Ascertaining the Organization and Business information with AOI (Article of Incorporation)
- Verifying the Physical address mentioned
- Verifying Registered Telephone numbers
Look at an OV SSL Certificate in Web Browser
Company information is available in the Details menu of the certificate.
Examples of OV SSL: Comodo Instant SSL Pro, GeoTrust True BusinessID SSL, DigiCert Secure Site SSL, etc.
Extended Validation (EV) SSL
Extended Validation SSL is considered to give the highest security level to its users, and hence it is also termed as the premium level in SSL certificates. Large enterprises and corporates unanimously opt for EV SSL because of its high-security levels and high trust levels.
Features
- EV SSL certificates provide the same 256-bit SSL encryption security and 2048-bit CSR encryption, just like DV SSL and OV SSL.
- Due to its thorough verification process, the issuance time of EV SSL is 5-15 business days.
- Since they belong to the premium category, they are expensive due to its premium features, in-depth verification of organization, physical existence, and security of domains and subdomains, depending on the type of SSL certificate selected for example, Comodo PositiveSSL EV certificates are available at a rate of $61.60/year.
- EV SSL certificates are ideal for large corporates, banks, payment processors, online shops dealing with heavy amount of financial transactions, banks, etc. since they provide maximum security.
- Business documents are needed for verification for obtaining EV SSL.
- EV SSL certificates are compatible with most of the browsers and operating systems.
- All EV SSL certificates come with too high amount of warranties depending on the brand selected, money-refund offers, and unlimited server licensing.
- EV SSL certificates come with a dynamic site seal that displays the authenticated organization details and time stamp offered from trusted CA’s.
- They are SHA-2 enabled and help boost Google SEO ranks.
Apart from the benefits mentioned above, the SSL service provider will verify these details to prove authenticity and legitimacy.
- Applicant’s legal status
- Verifying the Telephone number
- Verifying the Domain name
- Verifying the Organization
- Physical existence and Operational stability
- Third party Database Verification
Look at an EV SSL Certificate in Web Browser
Company information is available in the Details menu of the certificate.
Examples of EV SSL: Comodo PositiveSSL EV, Thawte EV SSL, GlobalSign EV SSL, etc.
DV vs. OV vs. EV SSL certificates: Comparison
| DV SSL | OV SSL | EV SSL | |
|
Validation Procedure |
It can be validated by placing the required files on the server or clicking the CA’s validation link or email validation on registered email id. | Validation includes DV validation process plus submitting business registration details, physical address, telephone number, etc. | Similar to DV + OV validation procedures + valid proof of business operating for more than three years and third-party business directory verification |
| Issuance Time | Issued within few minutes | Issued in 1-3 business days | Issued in 5-15 business days |
|
Usage |
Blogs, forums, individual websites, small businesses | Medium and large businesses, non-profit organizations | Large corporates, enterprises, financial institutions, health care industries. |
|
Price & Warranty |
Very cheap and warranty starts with $10,000. | High rates compare to DV SSL and warranty starts with $100,000. | Expensive compare to OV SSL and warranty starts with $1,000,000 Warranty |
|
Site Seals |
Comes with Static Site Seal | Comes with Dynamic Site Seal | Comes with Dynamic Site Seal |
| Wildcard Certificate Option | Available | Available | Not Available |
| Company Name | When you click on the padlock, the company name is not visible. | When you click on the padlock, the company name is visible when you check “Details of a certificate” | When you click on the padlock, the company name is visible. |
In a Nutshell
The million-dollar question is, which SSL certificate is better? And the answer entirely depends on your business and its web requirements. If you have started a new venture, DV SSL is the best option, it quickly secures your website with HTTPS. But if you own an e-commerce store, you need to create a trustworthy environment, and hence OV SSL or EV SSL certificate is preferable.
 Comodo Positive SSL |
Comodo Instant SSL Pro |
PositiveSSL EV |
|
|
$10.00/yr.
|
$60.00/yr.
|
$77.00/yr.
|
|
| Algorithm | SHA-2 Enabled | SHA-2 Enabled | SHA-2 Enabled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search Engine Visibility | SSL will boost Google rankings | SSL will boost Google rankings | SSL will boost Google rankings |
| Validation Type | Domain Validation – DV | Organization Validation – OV | Extended Validation – EV |
| Issuance Time | 15 minutes or less | 1 – 3 Business Days | 5 – 15 Business Days |
| Domains Secured | FQDN (www+non-www) | FQDN (www+non-www) | FQDN (www+non-www) |
| Server Licenses | unlimited | unlimited | Unlimited |
| CSR Encryption | 2048-bit | 2048-bit | 2048-bit |
| SSL Encryption | up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit | up to 256-bit |
| Green Browser Bar | No | No | Yes |
| Mobile & smartphone support | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| Browser compatibility | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| Client OS compatibility | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| Includes Malware Scan | No | No | No |
| Includes Trust Seal | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SSL Reissuance | unlimited during certificate lifespan | unlimited during certificate lifespan | unlimited during certificate lifespan |
| Warranty | $10,000 USD | $10,000 USD | $1,000,000 USD |
| Refund Policy | 30 Day full money back | 30 Day full money back | 30 Day full money back |
| Vendor Price | |||
| Now Only | |||
Since all these validations provide the same encryption securities, OV SSL or EV SSL certificates are more favoured for banks, financial institutions, ecommerce, and health-care industries.
SSL2BUY offers numerous SSL certificates of different validations from trustworthy CA’s like GeoTrust, Thawte, Comodo, GlobalSign, Digicert, RapidSSL etc. Select your SSL certificate wisely to secure your digital empire.
