Choosing an SSL certification for your site depends on the type of website you have, as well as the level of security that you require. Generally speaking, there are three categories of SSL certificate options from which you can choose:
Domain Validated (DV) Certificates
Domain Validated Certificates are the most basic type of trusted SSL digital certificate. They have the lowest level of security of all SSL certificate types. You can obtain a DV certificate within minutes from a certificate provider. All you need to do is to verify that you own a domain to a DV certificate vendor, and they will issue you a DV certificate.
This type of SSL is suitable for websites that do not require their visitors to provide or exchange any personal details. Bloggers and small website owners generally use DV SSL.
Organization Validated (OV) Certificates
For someone who doesn’t know the difference, an OV certificate can be mistaken for a DV certificate. To obtain an OV certificate, you need to verify your domain and your organization with the certificate-issuing authority. OV certificates are more expensive to acquire, and they are perfect for business owners who do not require their customers to provide sensitive personal information on their website.
Extended Validated (EV) Certificates
EV certificates provide the highest level of security and trust to your website. EV certificates are the most expensive to acquire. To get one, you will need to verify your domain and provide personal and organizational information to your certificate-issuing authority. When you have this type of SSL, Google Chrome displays a green padlock on your website, informing your visitors that they are dealing with a highly trusted site.