Security is a very important factor for users. It is something that we must maintain at all levels to avoid problems that may compromise our systems and devices. It is a very broad field that can affect all kinds of tools, services or platforms that we use. In this article we are going to talk about what types of SSL certificates there are . We will explain what EV, OV and DV certificates are.
What are SSL certificates
First of all we want to remind readers what SSL certificates are. An SSL certificate is a security standard that indicates whether or not the data transfer is encrypted between a browser and a server. Basically it means that if we browse a web page that has this type of certificate, the data we send will be correctly encrypted and would not be exposed to any intruder.
This is very interesting when it comes to logging into a service, for example. In this way, our password and username would be encrypted correctly. The same when sending any type of information or filling out a form. We must always make sure that we are on a web page that is correctly encrypted.
For this connection to be really secure and to authenticate it, an SSL certificate is installed on the server. This is also known as a digital certificate. Its mission is to encrypt the information we send, as well as authenticate the identity of that website, showing visitors that they are really browsing a reliable site.
Now, keep in mind that there are different SSL certificates . We can currently name three: EV, OV and DV. We will explain what each of them is.
EV certificates
We have EV certificates or also known as Extended Validation certificates. It is something that companies especially use, since it serves to certify them and thus avoid possible Phishing attacks.
It is a certificate that provides a higher level of trust . It is ideal for online stores, for example, where visitors always look for the best possible guarantee to be able to enter data such as a bank card.
We can name government agencies, large companies and banks as the main ones to use EV certificates.
OV certificates
Another option is OV certificates or also known as an Organization Validation certificate. It is ideal for those web pages that are going to process user data. They allow to validate an organization and demonstrate that this domain really belongs to that company and not to a third party.
We can say that it is ideal for those who have a corporate website without becoming an online store. In this way we can guarantee the safety of our visitors. It is also geared for educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
Again we are facing a certificate that allows you to avoid Phishing attacks that affect users so much. Something that offers us a better guarantee of access and thus avoid problems that can damage the reputation of a business.
DV Certificate
DV certificates also known as Domain Validation certificate is more oriented to private users. It is the fastest of the three in terms of issuance and in a matter of minutes you can be ready.
It can be interesting for any user who has a website or blog and wants to protect it. It is cheaper and easier. It is not the most indicated for online commerce or any other service that requires greater trust.
In short, we can say that the EV, OV and DV certificates would be found from the highest to the lowest level of confidence. Each of them is oriented to a type of user or organization. The first is the one that offers the highest level of confidence and we could use it for electronic commerce. The second we can say that it is for a web page where data from other users is administered and finally, DV certificates are the simplest, for more personal pages.