If you run a website, you're likely familiar with SSL certificates and their importance in securing your website's data. But did you know that there are several types of SSL certificates to choose from? In this article, we'll take a look at the different types of SSL certificates and help you determine which one is right for your website.
### Domain Validated SSL Certificates
Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates are the most basic type of SSL certificate. They verify only that the domain name of the website matches the domain name on the certificate. DV SSL certificates are typically issued within a few minutes and are the most affordable SSL certificates available.
DV SSL certificates are a good choice for small websites or blogs that don't collect sensitive information from users, but still want to encrypt website traffic.
### Organization Validated SSL Certificates
Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates verify that the website belongs to a legitimate organization and confirm the organization's physical address and other details. OV SSL certificates take a few days to issue and are more expensive than DV SSL certificates.
OV SSL certificates are a good choice for businesses that need to establish trust with their website visitors, but don't require the highest level of security.
### Extended Validation SSL Certificates
Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates are the highest level of SSL certificate available. They require a rigorous verification process that includes confirming the legal, physical, and operational existence of the organization. EV SSL certificates display the organization's name prominently in the browser address bar, helping to establish trust with website visitors.
EV SSL certificates are a good choice for e-commerce websites or any website that collects sensitive information from users. They are more expensive than DV and OV SSL certificates and take longer to issue.
### Wildcard SSL Certificates
Wildcard SSL certificates allow you to secure multiple subdomains with a single certificate. For example, if your website has subdomains like blog.example.com, support.example.com, and shop.example.com, a wildcard SSL certificate will secure all of them.
Wildcard SSL certificates are available in DV, OV, and EV varieties and are a good choice for websites with multiple subdomains.
### Conclusion
Choosing the right SSL certificate for your website is an important decision. While all SSL certificates provide encryption for website traffic, each type offers a different level of validation and security. By understanding the differences between the types of SSL certificates, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your website.
