What is an SSL Certificate?

SSL Certificate facilities a few purposes with one being to secure and encrypt the connection between both the web browser and the web site that you are accessing. While the second purpose is to authenticate the website in which you are accessing. Without an SSL Certificate being in place the connection is left both unguarded and unauthenticated, meaning any and all information that is being submitted on a website is and can be intercepted without much effort from hackers.

Why Do I Need an SSL Certificate?

Due to a recent report published by Netcraft that found 97% of all websites lacked basic security, popular browsers such as Google Chrome are making industry changes that are forcing the adoption of SSL/TLS. Browsers are shifting the mindset from SSL/TLS being related to only e-Commerce and websites that collect sensitive information to the mindset of ALL websites need an SSL/TLS Certificate.

Browser Warning of Non-HTTPS Websites

By far the most aggressive push towards the adoption of SSL/TLS is with the adoption of warning users of the website being insecure when accessed without an SSL/TLS. Overtime Google Chrome and other popular browsers will follow suite and begin to turn the treatment of non-HTTPS websites worse and worse until it eventually becomes the red “X Not Secure” indicator.

Introduction of HTTP/2

HTTP/2 is the first major revision of the internet’s HTTP protocol since the internet’s birth back in 1997. Recent approved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), HTTP/2 is set to scientifically reduce website load times – reported between 20-30% percent! The catch? Browsers are only serving websites using the HTTP/2 protocol over SSL/TLS encryption.

SEO Benefits for SSL/TLS

Google has made it clear the security is a top priority for not only them, but should be for all webmasters. As part of their call for “HTTPS Everywhere”, Google further expanded the call to reward those webmasters who secure their websites with SSL/TLS Encryption. The reward? Google rewarded those with SSL/TLS Encryption with a boost in SEO rankings.

What are Different Tiers of SSL Certificates?

There are three different types of authentication levels. Domain Validation, Organization Validation, and Extended Validation. Each of these provide encryption, but carry different levels of verification, visual indicators, and added benefits to secure your website.

Domain Validation (DV)

A Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificate is the first tier of SSL/TLS Certificates. Often known for their no thrills encryption and quick issuance, Domain Validated SSL Certificates are quick to get up and running but only prove ownership of the domain being secured.

Organization Validation (OV)

A Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificate is the middle tier of SSL/TLS Certificates. Known for their Organization Verification and Dynamic Site Seals, they’re a great starting point for those looking to showcase their organization.

Extended Validation (EV)

An Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate is the highest tier of SSL/TLS Certificates on the market and comes with the “Green Bar” indicator for the visitors of the website. With an EV SSL Certificate you are putting yourself into the same level of web security as other industry giants such as PayPal, Bank of America, and Apple.

Learn About the EV Benefits

What are Different Types of Certificates?

Now that you’re aware of the different validation types of SSL Certificates, let’s introduce you to the different types of SSL Certificates. There’s Single Name SSL Certificates, Multi-Domain (SAN) Certificates, and Wildcard SSL Certificates. All serve the same purpose of encrypting personal information being sent from the client and the webserver, but all provide different capabilities and flexibility for the web master.

Single Name Certificates

By far the simplest type of SSL, Single Name Certificates provide coverage for just a single domain. Thus, making it easier to control and manage for your team.

Multi-Domain (SAN) Certificates

As the same suggests, Multi-Domain Certificates provide coverage for multiple domains. This can be extremely helpful for web masters that own a mixture of TLDs for their sites.

Wildcard Certificate

Wildcard SSL Certificates are extremely helpful for web masters that utilize a lot of sub-domains because of their capability to secure an unlimited number of subdomains.

Not looking for an SSL Certificate?

SSL Certificates are not the only security product that Live-tech offers. Our team is also pleased to supply both Code Signing Certificates and Email & Document Signing Certificates. With the increase in malware and adware being distributed from emails, documents, and application packages, there’s never been a better time to not only secure your applications, documents, and emails, but also to assure that they have not been altered in any way.

Code Signing Certificates

Code Signing Certificates ensure that the software, application, or app has not been modified since being created by the developer. Often referred to as being the digital “shrink wrap” because it validates the code is in its original form.

Email & Document Signing Certificates

Email & Document Signing Certificates are now becoming a standard in the industry with regards to ensuring that the communication that is sent is validated and that the contents have not been modified from being sent.

Where can I get an SSL Certificate?

No need to look any further! Live-tech has partnered with the industry leading Certificate Authorities; Symantec and Comodo, to not only offer SSL Certificates, but to offer them at some of the best prices on the market!

EV Benefits

Green is Expected

With Google Chrome and other major browsers aggressively pushing the adoption of SSL/TLS on websites, users are beginning to seek out other factors besides a green padlock to establish not only their trust with your organization but also with their money.

Therefore, organizations are turning towards the adoption of Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates because of the trust and assurance it establishes with consumers seeking to conduct business with you.

Comodo PositiveSSL (DV)

GREEN BAR

  • 1 Domain Secured
  • Domain Validatin
  • No Greenbar in Browser
  • Both Site.com & www.Site.com
  • Mobile Support
  • No paperwork required
  • 15 days refund period
  • $10,000 Warranty

$19.99/year

Buy NOW

Positive SSL (EV)

[RECOMMENDED]

  • Single Domain Name
  • Static Site Seal
  • 256 Bit Encryption
  • $1,000,000 Warranty
  • Unlimited Server Licenses
  • Unlimited Re-issues Included

$99.99/year

Buy NOW

Comodo (EV) SSL Certificate [RECOMMENDED]

GREEN BAR

  • Single Domain Name
  • Dynamic Site Seal
  • 256 Bit Encryption
  • $1,500,000 Warranty
  • Unlimited Server Licenses
  • Unlimited Re-issues Included

$199.99/year

Comodo Enterprise SSL (EV)

GREEN BAR

  • Single Domain Name
  • DynamicSite Seal
  • 256 Bit Encryption
  • $1,500,000 Warranty
  • 1 Year Server Licenses
  • Unlimited Re-issues Included

GeoTrust Brand

Comodo PositiveSSL (DV)

GREEN BAR

  • 1 Domain Secured
  • Domain Validatin
  • No Greenbar in Browser
  • Both Site.com & www.Site.com
  • Mobile Support
  • No paperwork required
  • 15 days refund period
  • $10,000 Warranty

$19

Buy NOW

Positive SSL (EV)

(Recommended)

  • Single Domain Name
  • Static Site Seal
  • 256 Bit Encryption
  • $1,000,000 Warranty
  • Unlimited Server Licenses
  • Unlimited Re-issues Included

$99

Buy NOW

Comodo (EV) SSL Certificate [RECOMMENDED]

GREEN BAR

  • Single Domain Name
  • Dynamic Site Seal
  • 256 Bit Encryption
  • $1,500,000 Warranty
  • Unlimited Server Licenses
  • Unlimited Re-issues Included

Comodo Enterprise SSL (EV)

GREEN BAR

  • Single Domain Name
  • DynamicSite Seal
  • 256 Bit Encryption
  • $1,750,000 Warranty
  • 1 Year Server Licenses
  • Unlimited Re-issues Included

Investment not an Expense

Live-tech understands that an Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate might be seen as an expense, but it’s not! An EV SSL Certificate is not just an expense, instead it’s an investment into both your business and online presence.

Tec-ED conducted a survey with regards to SSL/TLS Certificate and it discovered that a 100% of participants noticed the Green Address Bar on the website. Furthermore, Tech-ED discovered that of those participants, 97% felt comfortable enough to inputting their credit card information, and 77% would be hesitant to shop on a website without an EV SSL Certificate.a

Those percentages aren’t shocking, with major browsers pushing adoption of SSL/TLS Certificates the assurance behind the green padlock is being phased out. Consumers are now interested solely in the Green Bar instead of just the green padlock.

Is EV for Me?

Having an EV SSL Certificate doesn’t just secure your website, but having one also has a huge difference in your online presence. The only snag that you might discover is with regards to the validation required for the EV SSL Certificate. The validation required to get an EV SSL Certificate is not difficult for registered businesses, instead it’s meant to stop those applying for the EV under a fake company name or business. For those interested in the validation process, our team has briefly covered the process for you below.

  • Business Registration – To obtain and EV SSL Certificate you must be a registered business with your government.
  • Operation Existence – The Certificate Authority (CA) will need to verify that your organization has been operating with the government.
  • Address Authentication – The organization must have both a physical and business presence in the country.
  • Telephone Verification – Finally the CA will need to conduct a telephone call using a public telephone number for the organization. This number is most commonly pulled from a Dun and Bradstreet listing and/or a YellowPages listing.

As mentioned before, it’s not hard at all for a business to complete the process listed above. With our team of experts, we’ve been capable of helping out many of our partners and look forward to helping you as well.

An EV SSL for All Budgets

With our partnership with the industry leading Certificate Authorities, Live-tech is capable of offering the benefits of an EV SSL Certificate across a wide range of budgets. Our team has seen all the reasons to turn away from a purchase, but this purchase investment is too good to turn away. With a guaranteed increase in conversions, the investment will pay for itself in no time!