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Various validation processes are used to issue an SSL Certificate, depending on the type you need for your site. One of the main ones is real-time automated email verification. Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates always use an automated Approver Email system. SSL certificates are essential for securing online transactions by encrypting data between your website and visitors. They also validate your identity, ensuring users trust your site. The verifications are done to ensure the domain owner is the holder of the SSL Certificate. After all, an SSL Certificate is used to reassure visitors that you are who you claim to be.
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How To Issue an SSL Certificate
There are several steps to issue an SSL certificate, including the validation processes, depending on the type of certificate you need. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how this is done:
1. Decide on the type of SSL certificate you need.
The most common types are:
- Domain Validated (DV): Quick issuance with automated email verification.
- Organization Validated (OV): Requires more documentation for higher trust levels.
- Extended Validation (EV): The most rigorous validation process and takes the longest to be issued.
2. Use the tools provided by Hosted.com® to generate a CSR, which includes information about your domain and public key.
3. Login to your Hosted.com® account and navigate to the Manage Services menu.
4. Select SSL Certificates, choose to Add SSL Certificate if you don’t already have one, and follow the steps.
5. Send the CSR to a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) like Sectigo or GeoTrust for verification.
6. The CA issues the SSL/TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificate once the verification process is complete.
7. Install it on your web server using standard installation procedures.
For DV certificates, expect automated email verification, in which an approver email is sent to verify domain ownership. Additional documentation is required to validate organizational details for OV and EV certificates.
Additional Information
Types of Validation Processes
The time it takes for an SSL certificate to be issued varies from minutes for DV certificates up to several days for OV or EV ones due to differences in validation complexity. Ensure timely approval during this process by closely monitoring emails from CAs. Here are some guidelines for the time it takes to issue an SSL certificate.
- Domain Validation (DV): An automated process using approver emails, typically issued within minutes.
- Organization Validation (OV): Requires business documentation; can take up to three days.
- Extended Validation (EV): The most stringent process, involving extensive business vetting, may take up to five days.
How To Check For An Active SSL Certificate
Checking if an SSL certificate is active and valid is essential for secure web browsing. There are a few ways you can see if a site has one installed.
Browser Indicators
The easiest way to check for an active SSL certificate is to ensure the website’s URL begins with “https://” rather than “http://”. The “s” indicates a secure connection using SSL encryption.
Modern web browsers display a padlock icon when a secure SSL connection is established in the address bar. Clicking this icon provides basic information about the certificate, including whether the connection is secure.
You can also usually access more detailed certificate information, such as:
- The certificate’s issuer (CA).
- The issue and expiration dates.
- The domain names the certificate covers.
Online SSL Checker Tools
Several online tools are available for checking SSL certificates and provide more information than basic browser checks, including:
- SSL Labs’ SSL Server Test: Provides a detailed analysis of a website’s SSL/TLS configuration.
- SSL Shopper’s SSL Checker: A quick and easy tool to verify basic SSL certificate information.
