You know you need SSL but what is the best product for you?
It’s 2017 and that means your website is being mandated by the browsers to migrate to HTTPS. As of the introduction of Google Chrome version 56, the browsers have started marking websites served as “Not Safe” over insecure HTTP.
Running a website that has been labeled “Not Secure” by Google is like trying to run a restaurant while you’ve got a notice from the city health inspector permanently taped at your front door — it’s not going to do well.
You need SSL, instead. It’s the smart move for the protection of your business website and you can’t afford to take a hit to your image from Google or Mozilla giving it a negative visual indicator. But how do you know what you want to pick?
Do not be worried, we are here to help! This is a guide that will take you through all the items that you need to know before you make a purchase. We will not try to sell you any credential, this article is merely informative. So relax, read through and by the end, you ought to have an idea of what to seek.
Can SSL Certificate is best for business: What is it that you secure?
While seeking an SSL certificate, the first thing you have to ask yourself is how many domains and sub-domains you need to protect. This will help guide whatever pushes you forward. Do you have just one website to protect, or does your web presence reach into multiple domains beyond that? Have you got any sub-domains?
Each scenario has an response, it all depends on what you need.
What SSL Certificate is best for business: SSL Certificates Single Domain
Let’s presume you’re just a small company with a single domain and no sub-domains. You will need to purchase a single domain certificate — that’s the bulk of them. Now you’ll need to make a determination as to what amount of support you need.
Here’s something many SSL retailers don’t want to inform you: the power of the encryption doesn’t differ with the degree of validation. All SSL certificates provide the same degree of digital encryption, industry-mandated standards are in effect. The explanation for the different validation rates is what to authenticate because of certain firms, so they can use SSL’s power to help guarantee their identity to their customers.
Remember the web is a dangerous place. Lots of hackers and cyber criminals make a lot of money through online tricking of people. And they target at companies of all sizes. According to Symantec, targeted were 90 per cent of companies and 71 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Through its authentication process SSL can help defend against that. It all depends on how much you want the validation. There are three layers of this:
- Domain Validation-This is the lowest validation standard, you simply need to show that you own the registered domain. As free SSL services make it easier for cybercriminals to add DV certificates to their phishing websites, DV SSL is becoming increasingly less confidential. This, in effect, allows the browsers to mark the site as “Secure.” This is a dangerous phenomenon which is becoming increasingly popular.
- Organizational validation-This is the intermediate validation stage. The Certificate Authority that issues the SSL certificate will perform a light business vetting and make the verified business details available for all to see in the details of the SSL certificate. The problem with OV SSL is that it is hard for users to find checked facts, and the visual outward indicators are the same as DV.
- Extended Validation-This is the highest validation level. It needs a full business vetting; in the address bar, it shows the name of the client next to the URL. EV SSL provides instant Identity Assurance. You will need to select the correct level of validation depending on how necessary it is to create your identity online.
You will need to select the correct level of validation depending on how necessary it is to create your identity online.
What SSL Certificate is best for business: Multi-Domain SSL
Let’s say you have to securing multiple domains. Never fear, the solution is simple: Multi-Domain SSL certificates. These are SSL certificates which use the field Subject Alternative Name (SAN). When selecting a Multi-Domain SSL certificate, you list the name of your main website in the CSR generation process as the Fully Qualified Domain Name, and then list each additional site as a SAN.
When the CA issues the certificate it will cover all of the specified domains. Multi-domain SSL is usable at any point of validation.
Which SSL Certificate is Business Best: Sub-Domains
Now, let ‘s say you have a sub-domains website — don’t worry that is also covered. You’ll need to use a Wildcard SSL certificate in this situation. Wildcards are brilliant, they can hold an infinite number of domain-accompanying sub-domains. When filling out the CSR, just use an asterisk instead of the level on which the subdomain resides (e.g. * .SSLRenewals.com).
When the certificate is issued by the CA all existing sub-domains are protected. Best of all, if you add a new subdomain while the SSL certificate remains valid, all you need to do is reissue it and it will also cover the new subdomain. Wildcards aren’t accessible in EV, sadly.
Which SSL Certificate is best for companies: multiple domains and sub-domains
For every situation there is truly an SSL certificate. The wildcard Multi-Domain can secure multiple domains and unlimited subdomains. It’s all because of the SAN area in Wildcard. The SAN wildcard field works both ways. List a fully qualified domain name or use an asterisk to protect the domain and all its subdomains.
How easy that is?
Which SSL Certificate is Best for Business: Select a CA
So, you know the type of product now, but what brand are you going with? Okay, it depends on you. Similar CA programs to various groups. If you need a simple , inexpensive solution then RapidSSL is a great option. If more of a business class product is required, seek GeoTrust. If you’re a tiny brand looking to use an existing brand’s power to help lift you up then select Symantec. So then there’s Comodo, a jack for all trades.
The decision is up to you and to your company. We are simply trying to make sure that you have all the details.