Choosing SSL/TLS Certificates by Type

The main purpose of an SSL/TLS certificate is to secure data by encrypting it in transit between the server and the visitor's browser. When choosing an SSL certificate, it is very important to pick the right one – not only in terms of price, but above all in terms of its functionality and how it will be used. Some use cases call for specialized SSL certificates.

SSL certificates can be divided into several groups by validation type, recommended use, type of protection and price category. If you are unsure, our experienced staff will be happy to help you choose the right type of SSL certificate.

Basic SSL Certificates

These types of SSL certificates securely protect information flowing between servers and the browser. They are used wherever the security of transmitted data needs to be ensured. Basic SSL certificates are always issued for one specific domain, so it is very important to choose the correct name matching the website you want to secure with the SSL certificate.

Extended Validation SSL Certificates (EV)

EV SSL certificates offer the highest possible level of user-facing website security. EV SSL certificates are subject to the strictest validation and cannot be obtained by a company without a good reputation. By using an EV SSL certificate, a company declares that it cares about online security and wants to rank among prestigious companies. EV certificates are used in the banking and financial sector, as well as on many web projects with an emphasis on security and quality.

SAN/UC Certificates

SAN/UC technology (Subject Alternative Name/Unified Communications) makes it possible to protect multiple domains with a single SSL certificate (subjects). This can significantly reduce the upfront cost of securing multiple web projects with SSL, which is why these certificates are becoming very popular. They are also required for some solutions, such as Microsoft Exchange Server. Thanks to SAN SSL certificates, you no longer need a separate IP address for each website.

Wildcard Certificates

Wildcard SSL certificates are also known as asterisk certificates. They are a versatile type of SSL certificate that can secure all subdomains under a single main domain. A wildcard certificate contains an asterisk in front of the main domain name (e.g. *.sslmarket.cz). Wildcard SSL certificates save the cost of buying additional SSL certificates and, last but not least, the time needed to install and manage them.