Frequently Asked Questions

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is a bit of code on your web server that provides security for online communications. When a web browser contacts your secured website, the SSL certificate enables an encrypted connection. 

What is an EV SSL Certificate?

Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates is a new level of security authentication to clearly identify a web site’s organisational identity. When using a modern browser, a web site secured with an EV SSL Certificate will cause the URL address bar to turn green. A display next to the green bar will toggle between the organisation name listed in the certificate and the Certificate Authority (e.g Comodo). Older browsers will display EV SSL Certificates with the same security symbols as existing SSL Certificates.

What is a Wildcard SSL Certificate?

A Wildcard SSL Certificate is a single certificate with a wildcard character (*) in the domain name field. This allows the certificate to secure multiple sub domain names (hosts) belonging to the same base domain.

For example, a wildcard certificate for *.(domainname).com, could be used for www.(domainname).com, mail.(domainname).com, 

store.(domainname).com, in addition to any additional sub domain name in the (domainname).com.
 

What is Domain Validation authentication?

Domain Validation takes just a single step to prove that you have ownership over the domain(s) that you’re requesting on the SSL certificate. 

What is Organisation Validation authentication?

An Organisation Validation SSL Certificate is a mid-level certificate. The certificate is issued by verifying ownership of the domain name and the organisation’s identity. Trust Level: Medium.

What is Extended Validation authentication?

An Extended Validation SSL Certificate is a high level certificate. The certificate is issued by verifying ownership of the domain name, the organisation’s identity and the applicant’s employment with the organisation. Trust Level: High

Why is encryption strength important?

Encryption strength is determined by the browser, the web user’s operating system and the SSL Certificate. The encryption strength of the secure connection may be 40, 56, 128, or 256 bit. High-level encryption, at 128 to 256 bit means that the data cryptographically encoded during an SSL session is at the strongest level available and almost impossible to break. Compared to a 40-bit encrypted SSL Certificate, 128-bit encryption is more than 300 septillion (300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) times stronger.

What is browser recognition?

The term browser recognition is used to determine the number of web browsers that will work with the SSL Certificate. All SSL Certificates provided by TrustSign are trusted by over 99% of browsers used on the Internet today.

What is a site seal?

Site Seals are provided free of charge when you purchase an SSL Certificate from TrustSign. Displaying a Site Seal on your web site reassures visitors and gives them the confidence to complete their transactions with you.

What is a Certification Authority (CA)?

A Certification Authority (CA) is an entity that digitally signs each SSL Certificate issued. Each browser contains a list of CAs to be trusted. When a secure connection is created, the browser verifies that the server certificate was issued by a trusted CA. If the CA is not trusted, a warning will appear. CAs must undergo annual security audits (such as WebTrust for Certification Authorities) to be included in the list of web browser trusted authorities.

What is a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)?

A Certificate Signing Request (CSR) is a message sent from an applicant to a Certification Authority (CA) to apply for an SSL Certificate. The CSR contains information identifying the applicant and the CA may contact the applicant for further information. If the request is successful, the CA will send back an SSL Certificate that has been digitally signed with the private key of the CA.

How long does it take to issue an SSL?

The time taken to issue an SSL Certificate will depend on the CA and the certificate type. Issue times can vary between 10 minutes and 10 days.

How long is the SSL Certificate valid for?

As of the 1 September 2020, browsers will no longer trust SSL Certificates that are valid for longer than 1 year. As a result, all Certificate Authorities will issue SSL’s with a maximum term of 398 days which is one-year plus a 33-day renewal grace period.

Sectigo have launched Subscription SSL which  allows you to obtain continuous certificate coverage for up to 5 years while saving money. For security and industry standards, each Subscription SSL certificate will be issued with a 1-year term. Prior to the yearly expiration, we will contact you to reissue your certificate for another year.

What does the warranty cover?

Warranty levels will vary between SSL Certificates depending on certificate type and the validation process. If a fraudulent activity occurs as a direct result of the SSL Certificate, the Certification Authority (CA) will reimburse the web user up to the warranty level of that SSL Certificate. Note, that no warranty claims have ever been made against Sectigo.