SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates are an essential part of secure web browsing. They enable secure communication between a user's web browser and a web server, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access. When browsing the web, users may encounter different authentication levels of SSL certificates, which indicate the level of trustworthiness of the certificate. Let's explain the different authentication levels of SSL certificates and why they are important.
What are SSL certificates?
SSL certificates are digital certificates that are issued by a trusted third-party certification authority (CA). They are used to verify the identity of a website and to establish an encrypted connection between the user's browser and the website. SSL certificates contain information about the website owner, the website's public key, and the certification authority that issued the certificate. When a user visits a website with an SSL certificate, their web browser will check the certificate to ensure that it is valid and issued by a trusted certification authority.
What are the authentication levels of SSL certificates?
SSL certificates can be classified into three authentication levels: Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). These levels indicate the level of verification that has been conducted to establish the identity of the website owner.
- Domain Validated (DV)
Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates are the most basic level of SSL authentication. They are typically the least expensive and easiest to obtain. To get a DV SSL certificate, the website owner only needs to prove that they own the domain name associated with the certificate. This is usually done by responding to an email or adding a DNS record.
DV SSL certificates only verify that the website owner has control over the domain name, and they do not provide any additional information about the organization that owns the website. As a result, DV SSL certificates are often used for non-sensitive websites that do not handle confidential information.
- Organization Validated (OV)
Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates provide a higher level of authentication than DV SSL certificates. To obtain an OV SSL certificate, the website owner must provide proof of their identity and ownership of the domain name. This includes verifying the organization's name, physical address, and phone number. The certification authority will also verify that the organization is registered and in good standing.
OV SSL certificates provide additional information about the website owner, which can help build trust with website visitors. They are typically used for websites that handle sensitive information, such as online banking and e-commerce sites.
- Extended Validation (EV)
Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates provide the highest level of authentication and are the most trusted SSL certificates. To obtain an EV SSL certificate, the website owner must provide extensive documentation to prove their identity, ownership of the domain name, and legal status of the organization. The certification authority will also conduct a thorough background check of the organization.
EV SSL certificates provide the highest level of trust to website visitors. They are indicated by a green address bar in the web browser and are typically used by websites that handle highly sensitive information, such as financial institutions and government agencies.
Why are authentication levels important?
Authentication levels are important because they help users determine the level of trustworthiness of a website. When a user sees an SSL certificate on a website, they know that the website is secure and that their personal information is protected. However, not all SSL certificates are created equal. Different authentication levels indicate the level of verification that has been conducted to establish the identity of the website owner.
For example, if a website has a DV SSL certificate, users can be confident that the website is secure, but they may not know anything about the organization that owns the website. On the other hand, if a website has an EV SSL certificate, users can be confident that the website is owned by a legitimate organization and that their personal information is highly protected.
Moreover, the authentication level of an SSL certificate can impact a website's search engine ranking. Google has indicated that websites with EV SSL certificates may receive a small ranking boost compared to websites with DV or OV SSL certificates. This is because EV SSL certificates provide the highest level of trust and security.
In addition to building trust with website visitors and improving search engine rankings, authentication levels can also impact a website's liability in the event of a data breach. If a website with a DV SSL certificate experiences a data breach, they may be held liable for damages because they did not take adequate measures to protect user information. On the other hand, if a website with an EV SSL certificate experiences a data breach, they may be able to argue that they took all necessary measures to protect user information.
SSL certificates are essential for secure web browsing, and authentication levels play a critical role in establishing trust between website owners and users. The three authentication levels of SSL certificates - DV, OV, and EV - indicate the level of verification that has been conducted to establish the identity of the website owner. The higher the authentication level, the higher the level of trust and security that is provided. By understanding the authentication levels of SSL certificates, website owners can choose the appropriate level of authentication for their website and build trust with their users.
