EV SSL certificate

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An EV SSL certificate (Extended Validation SSL certificate) is an enhanced computer networking protocol for securing connections between network application clients and servers over an insecure network, such as the internet. EV SSL certificates assure consumers that they are conducting business through a trusted website and have become the industry standard for e-commerce websites.

With the constant threat of phishing attacks and identity theft, the presence of an EV certificate can improve consumer perception of a company’s stability, level of customer service and ability to keep the customer’s data secure. Most browser windows use the color green to alert end users that a website has been granted an EV SSL certificate.

The certification process involves strict vetting by a qualified certificate authority (CA) to confirm the identity of the applicant as well as their relationship to the legal owner of the website and its domain. Confirmation of a website’s identity is carried out according to the rigorous industry guidelines established by the CA/Browser Forum, an industry group composed of leading CA issuers.

After more than a decade of use, there have been no known incidents in which a phisher successfully obtained and used an EV SSL certificate. In addition to the trust factor, EV SSL certificates are important for several other reasons, including:

Compliance – Regulatory and industry standards such as PCI DSS, HIPAA/HITECH and GDPR require that companies protect customers against theft of sensitive information. EV SSL is arguably the most bullet-proof way to ensure successful auditability against these standards.

Online transactions – Users are more inclined to make purchases, share personally identifiable information, sign up for new accounts and engage in other online activities when EV SSL certificates are present.

Average Order Value (AOV) – Shoppers on sites with green address bars are more confident purchasing expensive items and are more likely to add recommended items to their carts.