An SSL certificate (technically a TLS certificate in modern usage) is a digital document that serves two purposes: it verifies that a website is who it claims to be, and it contains the public key used to establish an encrypted connection between your browser and the server.
Types of SSL Certificates
| Type | Validation Level | Issuance Time | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| DV (Domain Validated) | Domain ownership only | Minutes | Personal sites, blogs |
| OV (Organization Validated) | Domain + business identity | 1-3 days | Business websites |
| EV (Extended Validation) | Full legal entity verification | 1-2 weeks | Banks, large enterprises |
| Wildcard | Covers *.domain.com (all subdomains) | DV or OV | Sites with many subdomains |
| Multi-domain (SAN) | Multiple domains on one cert | DV or OV | Hosting multiple sites |
How to Get an SSL Certificate
- Let's Encrypt - Free DV certificates, auto-renew every 90 days. Used by millions of sites. Available through most hosting control panels.
- Hosting provider - Most web hosts include a free SSL certificate (usually Let's Encrypt).
- Commercial CA - DigiCert, Sectigo, GlobalSign for OV/EV certificates.
How to Fix an SSL Certificate Error
SSL errors in browsers ("Your connection is not private") usually mean:
- The certificate expired (check renewal)
- The domain on the certificate does not match the site URL
- The certificate was issued by an untrusted CA
- Your system clock is wrong (certificate validity check fails)
Check any site's certificate status with our SSL Check tool.
People Also Ask
Is an SSL certificate necessary?
Yes, for any website. Without HTTPS, browsers show security warnings, search engines rank you lower, and form data (passwords, payments) is transmitted in plaintext.
Related: SSL/TLS explained | What is HTTPS? | SSL Check