Knowledge Base

Today, the internet has become an indispensable part of our lives. We perform many activities online, from shopping to banking, from communication to entertainment. However, this convenience brings security risks with it. Security is of great importance, especially for e-commerce sites and platforms where sensitive data is exchanged. This is where EV SSL (Extended Validation SSL) certificates come into play. In this article, we will examine in detail what EV SSL certificates are, why they are important, how they work, and how they differ from other types of SSL certificates.

1. Basic Concepts of EV SSL Certificate

1.1 What is an SSL Certificate?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol that secures data communication over the internet by encrypting it. SSL certificates verify the identity of websites and prevent third parties from accessing data by encrypting the communication between the browser and the server. To understand that a website has an SSL certificate, there is usually a lock icon in the browser address bar.

1.2 Definition of EV SSL Certificate

EV SSL (Extended Validation SSL) certificate represents the highest level of validation of SSL certificates. This type of certificate verifies the identity of the organization that owns the website in an extremely meticulous manner. When you visit a website with an EV SSL certificate, the name of the organization is clearly displayed in the browser address bar, which provides users with an additional layer of trust.

1.3 Why EV SSL?

EV SSL certificate is of critical importance, especially for e-commerce sites, financial institutions, and other websites that process sensitive customer data. This certificate ensures that users are confident in the reliability of the website, protects against phishing attacks, and strengthens brand reputation.

2. Advantages and Disadvantages of EV SSL Certificate

2.1 Advantages

• High Confidence Level: EV SSL certificates increase users' trust in the website. The appearance of the organization name in the address bar assures users that the website is legitimate and secure.
• Protection Against Phishing Attacks: EV SSL certificates provide effective protection against phishing attacks. Users can easily identify fake websites by seeing the organization name in the address bar.
• Strengthening Brand Reputation: EV SSL certificates strengthen brand reputation. Users' loyalty to the brand increases when they encounter a safe and reliable website.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Benefits: Search engines like Google list secure websites higher in search results. An EV SSL certificate can improve your website's SEO performance.
• Increasing Conversion Rates: By increasing users' trust, it can increase conversion rates (e.g., sales, registrations) on your website.

2.2 Disadvantages

• High Cost: EV SSL certificates are more expensive than other types of SSL certificates. However, the security and reputation advantages it provides can justify the cost.
• Long Verification Process: A more comprehensive verification process is required to obtain an EV SSL certificate. This process may take longer than other types of certificates.
• Complex Installation: The installation of an EV SSL certificate may be slightly more complex than other types of certificates. However, most hosting providers and certificate authorities provide support for installation.

3. How Does an EV SSL Certificate Work?

3.1 Verification Process

To obtain an EV SSL certificate, it is necessary to go through a rigorous verification process conducted by the certificate authority (CA). This process includes the following steps:

1. Verification of the Organization's Legal Registration: The certificate authority verifies that the organization is legally registered. This is done through trade registry records, tax numbers, and other official documents.
2. Verification of Physical Address: The certificate authority verifies the organization's physical address. This is done through telephone directories, postal addresses, and other publicly available sources.
3. Telephone Verification: The certificate authority verifies the organization's telephone number. This is done through telephone directories and other publicly available sources.
4. Verification of Authorized Person: The certificate authority verifies that the person requesting the certificate is authorized to act on behalf of the organization. This is done through the organization's board resolution or other official documents.

3.2 Certificate Generation and Installation

After the verification process is complete, the certificate authority generates the EV SSL certificate. The certificate is installed and configured on the web server. This process can be performed by your hosting provider or system administrator.

3.3 Browser Display

When you visit a website with an EV SSL certificate, the organization's name is prominently displayed in the browser's address bar. For example, in Google Chrome, you might see an expression like "Google LLC [US]" in the address bar. This indicates that the website's identity has been verified and the communication is encrypted.

4. EV SSL Certificate and Other SSL Certificate Types

4.1 Different SSL Certificate Types

SSL certificates are divided into different types according to their validation levels:

• Domain Validated (DV) SSL: The most basic type of SSL certificate. It only verifies the ownership of the domain name.
• Organization Validated (OV) SSL: Verifies the identity of the organization. It is more reliable than DV SSL.
• Extended Validation (EV) SSL: Offers the highest level of validation. It verifies the identity of the organization in an extremely meticulous manner.

4.2 Comparison Table

You can compare the features of different SSL certificate types in the table below:

5. EV SSL Certificate Purchase and Installation Process

5.1 Choosing a Certificate Authority

When purchasing an EV SSL certificate, it is important to choose a reliable certificate authority (CA). Trusted CAs adhere to strict security standards and implement comprehensive verification processes. Some popular CAs include:

• DigiCert
• Sectigo (Comodo)
• GlobalSign
• Entrust Datacard

5.2 Creating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

Before purchasing a certificate, you need to create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) on your web server. A CSR is a text file that you will send to the certificate authority and contains the information needed to create the certificate. The steps to create a CSR vary depending on your web server. For example, on an Apache server, you can use the following command:

openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout example.com.key -out example.com.csr

This command creates a private key file named `example.com.key` and a CSR file named `example.com.csr`. You will need to send the contents of the CSR file to the certificate authority.

5.3 Submitting Verification Documents

After the certificate authority receives your CSR, they will initiate the verification process. They may request various documents to verify your organization's identity. These documents may include:

• Trade Registry Record
• Tax Number
• Phone Bill
• Board Resolution

5.4 Certificate Installation

Once the verification process is complete, the certificate authority will issue your EV SSL certificate. You need to install and configure the certificate on your web server. This process can be done from your hosting provider's control panel or server configuration files. For example, you can edit the virtual host configuration file on an Apache server as follows:

&ltVirtualHost *:443&gt
    ServerName example.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/example.com
    SSLEngine on
    SSLCertificateFile /path/to/your/certificate.crt
    SSLCertificateKeyFile /path/to/your/private.key
    SSLCertificateChainFile /path/to/your/ca_bundle.crt
&lt/VirtualHost&gt

In this configuration, `SSLCertificateFile` specifies the path to your certificate file, `SSLCertificateKeyFile` specifies the path to your private key file, and `SSLCertificateChainFile` specifies the path to your intermediate certificate file. The intermediate certificate file is provided by the certificate authority and ensures that your certificate is recognized as trusted by browsers.

6. Real-Life Examples and Case Studies

6.1 E-commerce Site Case Study

A large e-commerce site decided to implement an EV SSL certificate to increase customer trust and protect against phishing attacks. After implementing the EV SSL certificate, the website observed a 15% increase in conversion rates. Customers were assured of the website's reliability by seeing the organization's name in the address bar and were encouraged to make more purchases.

6.2 Financial Institution Case Study

A financial institution started using an EV SSL certificate to protect customer data and comply with legal regulations. The EV SSL certificate protected the organization's website against phishing attacks and ensured the security of customer data. In addition, the organization's brand reputation was strengthened, and customer trust increased.

7. Frequently Asked Questions About EV SSL Certificates

7.1 Why is an EV SSL Certificate More Expensive Than Others?

EV SSL certificates are more expensive because they require a more comprehensive verification process than other types of SSL certificates. The certificate authority spends additional resources and time to verify your organization's identity with extreme diligence.

7.2 How Does an EV SSL Certificate Affect SEO?

Search engines like Google list secure websites higher in search results. An EV SSL certificate can improve your website's SEO performance by increasing its security.

7.3 How Effective is an EV SSL Certificate Against Phishing Attacks?

EV SSL certificates are highly effective against phishing attacks. Users can easily identify fake websites by seeing the organization's name in the address bar.

7.4 How Long Does it Take to Obtain an EV SSL Certificate?

Obtaining an EV SSL certificate can take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the verification process. To speed up the verification process, it is important to have the necessary documents ready and communicate quickly with the certificate authority.

7.5 How Does the EV SSL Certificate Renewal Process Work?

The EV SSL certificate renewal process is similar to the initial application process. Before the certificate expires, you need to contact the certificate authority and request a renewal. The certificate authority may request additional documents to re-verify your organization's identity.

8. Conclusion and Summary

EV SSL certificates are an important tool for increasing your website's security, strengthening your brand reputation, and gaining customer trust. The use of an EV SSL certificate is strongly recommended, especially for e-commerce sites, financial institutions, and other websites that process sensitive customer data. Although an EV SSL certificate is more costly and requires a longer verification process than other types of SSL certificates, the security and reputation advantages it provides justify the cost. In this article, we have examined in detail what an EV SSL certificate is, how it works, its advantages and disadvantages, and the purchase and installation process. We hope this information helps you learn more about EV SSL certificates and improve the security of your website.