One of the most important ways to secure the data exchange between a web server and a computer (client) accessing it is the use of SSL (Secure Socket Layer). This allows data to be exchanged between computers without being read by third parties.
To ensure that the communication actually takes place with the correct server, the server can be certified by a trustworthy institution. The SSL certificates offered by our hosting partner are issued by the certification authority Sectigo. Ultimately, the SSL certificate is a digital data record that confirms certain characteristics of persons or objects and whose authenticity and integrity can be verified and guaranteed by cryptographic procedures.
The Advantages of SSL Encryption
- More Security: Data transmission to and from your visitors is safe and protected.
- Increased Trustworthiness: Your site visitors recognise the security level in the browser’s address bar.
How do I recognise SSL secured pages?
- If a page was loaded with an SSL-secured connection, you can verify this using the address (URL) displayed in your browser. Instead of http://, go to https://.
- Some browsers additionally mark protected pages with a special symbol. For example, Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) or Firefox use a lock symbol to indicate encrypted content. Click on the icon to view more information about the encryption.
Authentication Levels Explained
- Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificates are the lowest level of authentication. Domain Validation ensures that the applicant has administrative rights to the domain. This is verified by asking the domain owner to configure a specific DNS setting for the domain in order to be validated. Through our partner, we handle this configuration for you in the background, to ensure that the verification is quick and involves no manual intervention. This validation type does not verify the identity of the applicant however. That is why DV SSL certificates are mostly used to protect personal websites, such as blogs.
- Organisation Validation (OV) SSL certificates (also known as enterprise validation or business identity validation) verifies the identity of the applicant company and the identity of the domain holder, in addition to the DV validation. This additional verification by the certificate authority means that OV SSL certificates cannot be issued or installed until the validation is complete. But because of the additional verification, OV SSL certificates are more secure and used to protect company or corporate websites.
- Extended Validation (EV) SSl certificates currently represent the highest authentication level. Verification of the company identity is subject to the strictest authentication standard. This extensive verification by the certificate authority means that EV SSL certificates cannot be issued or installed until all verifications are complete. But because of the extensive verification, EV SSL Certificates serve the highest possible protection of company or corporate websites. In current browsers, the address bar is highlighted in green if an EV SSL certificate is used, so that visitors are assured of the robust security.