In this article, we’ll answer the key questions: What is an SSL certificate, what is it used for, what are its main benefits, and what types of certificates are available?
Last updated
26. December 2023.
Online security is a topic that never loses relevance—especially when it comes to protecting user data. One of the key elements of digital safety is the SSL certificate, which not only encrypts sensitive information but also builds trust with your website visitors.
If you want to learn more about how to protect your business from online threats such as cyberattacks, check out our article: Business Cybersecurity Guide – Keep Your Company Safe.
In this article, we’ll focus on SSL certificates—what they are, how they work, and why they’re essential for your website.
An SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate is a digital security protocol that protects the exchange of information between a web browser and a server—making it difficult for hackers to intercept sensitive data.
SSL certificates are most commonly used in e-commerce and online banking.
It’s easy to check if a website has an SSL certificate. Just look for the letter “S” in the “https” at the beginning of the web address—it indicates that the connection between your browser and the website is encrypted and secure.
You can also verify a website’s SSL certificate by clicking on the padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. This allows you to view details about the certificate, confirm that it matches the site you’re visiting, and check if it was issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
SSL certificates can be categorized based on their level of validation and encryption, or by the number of domains or subdomains they cover.
EV (Extended Validation) certificates offer the highest level of website security and are considered the industry standard for e-commerce.
However, obtaining this certificate requires meeting stricter conditions that are reviewed by a Certificate Authority (CA).
Although the process takes longer, the EV certificate is ideal for any type of business, as it significantly increases trust among both existing and potential customers—one of the key factors in successful online operations.
With this certificate, the browser displays a padlock, the https prefix, and the company’s name and country in the address bar—eliminating any confusion about the website’s legitimacy.
Due to its high verification level and the security it provides, the EV certificate is the most expensive, but it is highly recommended for online payments or sites that collect sensitive data.
An OV SSL certificate confirms the authenticity of both your domain and your organization’s identity.
This type of certificate is typically recommended for websites that require users to log in and provide moderately sensitive information, such as names or email addresses.
OV SSL offers a medium level of encryption and is available only to legally registered businesses with verified ownership. Like the EV certificate, the https and padlock icon appear in the browser’s address bar.
OV SSL offers a medium level of encryption and is available only to legally registered businesses with verified ownership. Like the EV certificate, the https and padlock icon appear in the browser’s address bar.
If you don’t have the budget for an EV certificate but still want to offer a solid level of security and encryption, an OV certificate is a reliable choice.
A DV (Domain Validation) certificate offers a basic level of encryption and displays a padlock icon next to the URL in the address bar.
This certificate is the quickest to obtain and requires only a few foundational documents to verify domain ownership.
OHowever, DV certificates validate only domain control, not the legitimacy of the busines, so they are not recommended for e-commerce websites.
That said, if your budget is limited, a DV certificate still offers a basic level of security, making it a good starting point as you grow your website and business.
The easiest way to get an SSL certificate is through your hosting provider, especially if they offer a solution that meets your needs and you want to avoid involving third parties. Otherwise, you can turn to one of the many organizations that provide SSL certificate services.
Cubes offers hosting services that include SSL certificate installation and maintenance. You can learn more about this on our Hosting Services page.
Your responsibilities will vary depending on the type of certificate, but generally, you will need to verify your domain and your status as the owner of a legally registered business. After completing the process, you will receive instructions on how to install the SSL certificate.
When it comes to pricing, it’s possible to get certain types of SSL certificates for free, which may be suitable for small personal websites (such as blogs) or sites that do not collect financial data from visitors.
However, free SSL certificates have several drawbacks: they often lack warranties, technical support, and typically have short validity periods (e.g., up to 90 days).
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