Are all SSL Certificates the same?

There are three kinds of SSL Certificates from SRN Hosting.

Domain Validation, Organization Validation and Extended Validation Certificates. Domain Validation are the most common and easily obtainable type of SSL certificate. They are appropriate for small websites, blogs, forums, and Intranet or mail servers. They can be obtained through an email-based validation process. In this case, the requesting individual verifies that he or she has control of a domain by clicking on an activation link sent to them via email.

Organization based certificates are suitable for online shops, company websites or Webmail since they offer a higher level of encryption during sensitive transactions. The validation process here requires documentation to verify the identity of the person ordering the certificate, in addition to the email verification described above. These documents might include bank statements or proof that your company is registered legally.

Extended validation based certificates employ the most rigorous validation criteria – and also offer the highest level of encryption. However, these certificates are only dispensed to websites found in a public registry, which means they are most often used by public authorities. They are the most easily recognizable type of SSL certificate, since a domain’s web address is highlighted in green in a browser’s address line. In this case, the requesting entity must prove their identity over the phone in addition to providing signed documentation.