What SSL Certificate Is Used: A Comprehensive Guide to Domain, Wildcard, OV, and EV SSL Types

When determining what SSL certificate is used for a website or a business, it is essential to understand the different types of SSL certificates available in the market and how each serves different purposes depending on security needs. SSL certificates secure data transmission between users and web servers, offering encryption, authentication, and trust.

Types of SSL Certificates

Generally, SSL certificates are categorized by their validation levels and coverage scope. The three recognized validation levels are:

• Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates: These certificates verify only the domain ownership. They are fast to issue and suitable for simple websites without sensitive data collection.
• Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates: They require the Certificate Authority (CA) to validate the organization's identity, offering higher trust suitable for commercial websites.
• Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates: These provide the highest trust level and require a thorough vetting process of business authenticity by the CA, often displaying the organization's name prominently in browsers.

Variations by Coverage

SSL certificates also differ in domain coverage, including:

• Single-Domain SSL Certificates: Secure one domain or subdomain.
• Wildcard SSL Certificates: Secure a primary domain and unlimited subdomains, e.g., *.example.com secures blog.example.com, shop.example.com, etc.
• Multi-Domain (SAN or UCC) SSL Certificates: Secure multiple domains under one certificate, ideal for businesses managing several websites.
• Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL Certificates: A combination that secures multiple domains and their unlimited subdomains in one certificate.

Choosing the Right SSL Certificate

Selection depends on business needs, security level required, and the number of domains to secure. For example, a rent invoice system hosted on a website may require an OV or EV SSL certificate to assure clients of the legitimacy and security of sensitive invoicing data.

Smaller sites or those just validating basic domain identity often opt for DV certificates due to their affordability and quick issuance, whereas larger enterprises or e-commerce sites rely on OV or EV certificates for enhanced authentication and trust display.

Additional Considerations

Costs vary widely: DV certificates are typically the most affordable; Wildcard certificates cost more, and OV and EV certificates are the most expensive but provide higher security guarantees. SSL certificates from trusted providers like Sectigo, DigiCert, or Comodo are recommended because they offer warranties, reputation, and wide compatibility with all major browsers and devices.

Finally, managing multiple websites can be simplified using Multi-Domain or Multi-Domain Wildcard certificates, which consolidate management and renewal processes.