What is the difference between some of the SSL Certificates we offer? Well, why don't we just cover that for you, to help you select the one that is best for you.

Low Assurance vs. High Assurance

This is sometimes a topic that isn't so well understood. There are, generally speaking, two types of SSL Certificates. Low Assurance, and High Assurance.

Low Assurance SSL Certificates

Also called "Domain Validation SSL Certificates", Low assurance certificates simply verify that you own the domain name. They are your starting level SSL Certificate that offer baseline protection for sensitive data on your site. In general, and for most applications, these are both easier and faster to have issued, and work just as well as the more expensive High assurance certificates. The main difference to your site visitors, is that if they check the information on the SSL certificate, they will just see that it is tied to your domain name, instead of to your specific company. Again, for most people, this is more than enough to run their ecommerce site.

High Assurance SSL Certificates

Also called "Organization Validation SSL Certificates", High assurance SSL certificates offer added-value security to your end user. All SSL Certificates share the common standard that they secure the data, but a High Assurance SSL Certficicate requires that 'little bit extra' in order to be issued, because not only do they verify you own the site, they verify you own the business that owns the site. When your certificate is issued, and your clients look into the certificate's information, they will see what country, state, city, and business name the certificate is tied to. This is why they are called' high assurance', as the client can be more ensured that the business they are dealing with is a full fledged business. These types of certificates are generally 'added value' in that, the main reason to select them over the low assurance certificates is to boost consumer confidence. They take more time to issue, and do require docoments to be sent to the issuing entity, so please be prepaired for a bit more of a wait when you order a High Assurance certificate as opposed to a Low Assurance, who simply send email confirmations.

Extended Validation SSL Certificates

With phishing schemes being taken to a new level as of late, the browser developers and SSL Certificate issuers got together to figure out what could be done about it, and thus, the Extended Validation SSL Certificate was born. You've no doubt seen them out in the wild by now. Likely your bank's website has one, and PayPal has one as well, among many other entities. If you click on the link to PayPal above, and have a recent version of the browser you are using, you will see a green bar take over part of your website URL indicator at the top of the window. This is what your clients will see when they access your website with an Extended Validation SSL Certificate. Be warned though, obtaining one of these certificates is not anywhere near as simple a process as Low Assurance, or even High Assurance, and they come with a fairly strict protocol that must be followed to be issued. These certificates are for those who are having problems with phishing related activities, or want to pass on as much assurance to their clients as money can buy.

Back to our SSL Certificate product line.