There are a few types of SSL/TLS certificates out there, and figuring them out may seem confusing at first, but understanding the different types of SSL/TLS certificates is very important for securing your website. These certificates ensure that all data exchanged between your visitors and your server is encrypted and safe.
Here we aim to break down the various types of SSL/TLS certificates, from the basic ones that secure a single domain to those that cover multiple domains and subdomains. Let’s begin.
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Understanding SSL/TLS Certificates
But before talking about the types of SSL/TLS certificates it’s important to make sure that we have some basic understanding about them.
As you probably know, thanks to the SSL/TLS protocol a certificate works by ensuring that data sent between a user’s browser and a website is encrypted and protected, keeping it safe from malicious third parties.
Having an SSL/TLS certificate brings a few benefits:
- Data encryption: the data sent between a website and a user’s browser is encrypted, so it can’t be read by anyone else.
- Identity authentication: depending on the involved types of SSL/TLS certificates, they ensure that the website you’re visiting is the real one and not an impostor site.
- Trust building: when users see a padlock or similar icon in their browser’s address bar, they know their connection is secure, which increases their confidence in the website.
- Security: thanks to their encryption, all of the different types of SSL/TLS certificates can protect sensitive information like credit card details, personal data, and login credentials from being intercepted by hackers.
- SSL/TLS in SEO: search engines like Google prefer secure websites, so having an SSL/TLS certificate can boost your site’s ranking.
But how can we get a certificate and enjoy those benefits? Well, we already have a great guide on how to install an SSL/TLS certificate, so we suggest checking it first. But if you want a quick run down, the process is the following:
- Choose an issuer: these are trusted entities that issue the certificates. Examples include Let’s Encrypt, DigiCert, GlobalSign, Sectigo, etc.
- Request and validate: request a certificate and follow the issuer’s guidelines to prove that you own the domain or website. This process varies based on the available types of SSL/TLS certificates (as explained below).
- Installation: once issued, you can install the certificate on your web server. Don’t forget to employ a strong SSL/TLS cipher suite, and always remember to renovate your certificate before reaching the TLS/SSL certificate expiration.
Types of SSL/TLS certificates explained
Time for the main dish: explaining the different types of SSL/TLS certificates. Let’s take a look at their features, advantages, disadvantages, and learn how to pick the right one for your project.
Self-signed certificates
Self-signed certificates are one of the many types of SSL/TLS certificates, and they are signed by their own creator instead of a trusted certificate authority (CA). They are mostly used in testing environments, internal networks, or personal projects, which are situations where establishing a secure and encrypted connection is necessary but getting a certificate from a trusted CA may not be.
Let’s keep in mind that self-signed certificates lack the validation provided by an SSL/TLS certificate issuer, which can lead to security warnings in browsers and other apps when they encounter such certificates.
When a self-signed certificate is used, it is often required to manually accept the certificate before proceeding with the connection. While self-signed certificates encrypt data just like certificates issued by CAs, they do not provide the same level of trust.
For production environments or public websites, it is recommended to use certificates issued by a trusted CA, this builds trust with your visitors and ensures security.
Domain validated (DV)
Continuing with the different types of SSL/TLS certificates, we found the most popular one: the domain validated (DV) certificates. They receive this name because their approval only requires verifying the ownership of a domain.
DV certificates are issued quickly and are the most basic form of SSL/TLS certificates. They only validate that the applicant has control over the domain for which the certificate is issued. This validation is quite simple and different methods are available, for example through email verification or by adding a specific DNS record provided by the certificate issuer.
As expected, DV certificates encrypt the data transmitted between the user’s browser and the website, which provides basic security and ensures that the information exchanged is protected. Due to this, their low cost, and their fast verification process, they have become the most used option among the types of SSL/TLS certificates.
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows: DV certificates do not verify the identity of the organization or individual behind the website. Due to this, these certificates are better suited for websites that do not require extensive validation, such as blogs, personal websites, or small business sites.
Organization validated (OV)
Among the uncommon types of SSL/TLS certificates we find the organization validated (OV) certificates, which provide a higher level of assurance compared to domain-validated certificates. In addition to verifying domain ownership, OV certificates also validate the organization’s identity behind the website. This verification process involves checking the legal existence of the organization, confirming its physical address, and making sure it operates legitimately.
They are one of the few types of SSL/TLS certificates that display verified organizational information in the certificate details, which provides users with more confidence about the website’s authenticity.
Their inner workings are the same as the other types of SSL/TLS certificates: they encrypt data transmitted between the user’s browser and the website, but thanks to their verification process, OV certificates are more suitable for businesses and organizations that need to show credibility and trustworthiness to their users.
OV certificates offer better validation than DV certificates, but they also take longer to issue and are more expensive due to the verification process required to confirm the organization’s identity and legitimacy.
Extended validation (EV)
Extended validation (EV) certificates are among the top types of SSL/TLS certificates, requiring the most rigorous validation process. EV certificates not only require verification of domain ownership and organization identity, but also need extensive validation of the legal existence, physical location, and operational status of the organization or company.
EV certificates display the company’s name in the browser’s address bar, something that isn’t done by any of the other types of SSL/TLS certificates. This visual indicator reassures users that the website they are visiting went through the highest level of verification. Keep in mind that, from a technical viewpoint, EV certificates provide the same encryption as any other certificate.
EV certificates are more expensive and take longer to issue than DV or OV certificates. They are commonly used by financial institutions, huge e-commerce platforms, and other entities.
Wildcard certificates
Along with DV certificates, Wildcard certificates are among the most common types of SSL/TLS certificates. They are used to secure a domain and all its subdomains with a single certificate. They are marked by an asterisk (*) in the domain name, allowing unlimited first-level subdomains to be secured under one certificate.
A wildcard certificate issued for *.mydomain.com would secure www.mydomain.com, mail.mydomain.com, blog.mydomain.com, etc. This simplifies certificate management and reduces costs compared to obtaining individual certificates for each subdomain.
Wildcard certificates provide the same level of encryption as other SSL/TLS certificates, but due to their capabilities, they are more expensive than DV certificates.
Multi-domain (SAN) certificates
Multi-domain certificates, also known as Subject Alternative Name (SAN) certificates, allow us to secure multiple domain names (or hostnames) with a single certificate. They support securing different domains and subdomains within a single certificate.
SAN certificates can accommodate various combinations of domain names, including different top-level domains and wildcard entries. This simplifies certificate management for organizations or companies with multiple websites or services hosted on different domains.
Choosing among the types of SSL/TLS certificates
And now comes the time to choose among the types of SSL/TLS certificates. Now that we know about the different types of SSL/TLS certificates, this may be an easy task, just keep in mind your specific needs and the level of assurance required for your website.
- Self-signed: use them only for testing, internal projects, and so on, do not use them on public websites or production environments.
- Domain validated (DV): they are great for blogs, personal websites, or small stores. They are cheap and easy to validate. People looking for a basic certificate for their website should pick this type.
- Organization validated (OV): they are suitable for organizations needing to establish credibility and trust. Medium-sized companies or stores usually employ them.
- Extended validation (EV): the cream of the crop. They offer the highest level of assurance, displaying the organization’s name in green next to the address bar. They are ideal for big stores, banks, or huge companies.
- Wildcard certificates: secure a domain and all its subdomains with one certificate. They are the most cost-effective solution for organizations with multiple subdomains on the same domain.
- Multi-domain (SAN): these are the less common among the available types of SSL/TLS certificates. They are used only by organizations that have a complex environment of websites and subdomains and want to have a single certificate for all of them.
Conclusion
Understanding the different types of SSL/TLS certificates allows you to make the best choice based on your security needs and your business requirements. Whether you prioritize a basic and fast-issued certificate, organizational identity verification, or the highest level of user trust, you have to select the right certificate so your website gets the level of security and trust that your users require.
