Today, securing a website with an SSL certificate is considered a standard practice. SSL certificates encrypt communication between a visitor’s browser and the web server, helping protect sensitive information such as login credentials, contact form submissions, and customer data.
SSL certificates can be categorized in two ways:
- By the level of validation performed during issuance
- By the number of domains and subdomains they protect
Table of Contents
Contents
- SSL Certificate Validation Types
- Types of SSL Certificates
- Choosing the Right SSL Certificate
SSL Certificate Validation Types
DV (Domain Validation)
Domain Validation (DV) certificates are issued after verifying that the applicant controls the domain name.
Characteristics:
- Fastest issuance process
- Typically issued within minutes
- Domain ownership verification only
- Encrypts communication between visitors and the server
DV certificates are suitable for:
- Personal websites
- Blogs
- Small business websites
- Development and testing environments
OV (Organization Validation)
Organization Validation (OV) certificates provide an additional layer of verification.
In addition to domain ownership validation, the Certificate Authority verifies information about the organization requesting the certificate.
Characteristics:
- Company verification required
- Usually issued within 3–5 business days
- Provides greater trust than DV certificates
- Suitable for organizations and businesses
OV certificates are commonly used by:
- Business websites
- Corporate portals
- Organizations that want to display verified company information
EV (Extended Validation)
Extended Validation (EV) certificates offer the highest level of validation.
During the issuance process, the Certificate Authority performs extensive verification of the organization, including official records and additional validation procedures.
Characteristics:
- Most comprehensive verification process
- Confirms the legal existence of the organization
- Provides the highest level of trust
- Intended for businesses handling sensitive transactions
EV certificates are often used by:
- E-commerce stores
- Financial institutions
- Government organizations
- Large enterprises
Types of SSL Certificates
Free SSL
Free SSL certificates are typically provided through Let’s Encrypt and can be activated directly for websites hosted on mybox.
Characteristics:
- Free of charge
- Automatic issuance and renewal
- Suitable for most websites
- Security level comparable to a standard DV certificate
Ideal for:
- Personal websites
- Blogs
- Small business websites
- Company presentation pages
Standard SSL
A Standard SSL certificate protects a single domain and its WWW variant.
Example:
yourdomain.com
www.yourdomain.comCharacteristics:
- Protects one primary domain
- Includes the WWW version
- Suitable for most single-site projects
SAN SSL (Multi-Domain SSL)
A SAN (Subject Alternative Name) certificate, also known as a Multi-Domain SSL certificate, protects multiple domains using a single certificate.
Example:
yourdomain.com
yourdomain.net
yourcompany.eu
example.orgCharacteristics:
- Protects multiple domains
- Can support a large number of domain names
- Simplifies certificate management
- Additional domains can usually be added later
Suitable for:
- Businesses managing multiple websites
- Agencies hosting multiple client domains
- Organizations with multiple brands
Wildcard SSL
A Wildcard SSL certificate protects a primary domain and all first-level subdomains under it.
Example:
yourdomain.com
www.yourdomain.com
blog.yourdomain.com
shop.yourdomain.com
dev.yourdomain.com
mail.yourdomain.comCharacteristics:
- Covers unlimited subdomains
- One certificate secures all first-level subdomains
- Simplifies management for large projects
Ideal for:
- Websites with many subdomains
- Development environments
- SaaS platforms
- Organizations using multiple services under one domain
Choosing the Right SSL Certificate
| Certificate Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Free SSL | Personal and small business websites |
| Standard SSL | Single-domain websites |
| SAN SSL | Multiple domains |
| Wildcard SSL | Websites with many subdomains |
| OV SSL | Verified business websites |
| EV SSL | E-commerce, financial, and high-trust websites |
Summary
SSL certificates differ both in the level of validation and in the number of domains they protect.
- DV certificates verify domain ownership.
- OV certificates additionally verify the organization.
- EV certificates provide the highest level of validation.
Regarding coverage:
- Free SSL and Standard SSL typically protect a single domain.
- SAN SSL protects multiple domains.
- Wildcard SSL protects a domain and all its subdomains.
For most websites hosted on mybox, a Free SSL certificate provides sufficient encryption and security. More advanced certificates are recommended for organizations that require additional trust, identity verification, or protection for multiple domains and subdomains.