SSL Certificates are SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates that authenticate websites and allow them to switch from HTTP to HTTPS encryption, protecting the exchange of valuable information visitors send to or receive from a website.
An SSL certificate on your site instills trust in your visitors and keeps user data secure, verifies ownership of your website, and prevents attackers from creating a false version of your site. When you have an SSL certificate protecting your site, your customers can rest assured that the information they enter on any secured page is encrypted. GoDaddy makes it easy to install your certificate and protect sensitive customer data on your site.

Authentication
SSL certificates verify clients’ ownership of the domain and prevent domain attacks and spoofs.

Encryption
SSL/TLS encryption is possible via the public/private key pairing that facilitates SSL certificates. Clients get the public key to open a TLS connection from the server’s SSL certificate.

HTTPS 
SSL certificates are required for the HTTPS web address. HTTPS (the secure version of HTTP) appear on websites that have traffic encrypted by SSL/TLS. Plus, in addition to securing user data, HTTPS conveys credibility and trust to the site visitor. 

There are three types of SSL certificates, GoDaddy offers them all. Each have with varying levels of security. Understanding what kind of SSL certificate is important when doing anything involving personal user data.

• Domain validated (DV) SSL certificate. DV certificates verify the owner of the site. The Certificate Authority sends an email to the website’s registered email address to verify its identity. No detailed information about the company is required, and the DV Certificate is the easiest to obtain and thus have a lowest level of trust. 
• Organizationally validated (OV) SSL certificate. The Certificate Authority is required to validate the organization, physical location address and the website’s domain name. The process takes about 2-3 days. OV certificates have a moderate level of trust, and are fine for public-facing websites with lower-level transactions.
• Extended validation (EV) SSL certificate. This is the SSL certificate with the highest level of security and is optimum for sites that deal with sensitive information. Before issuing an EV SSL certificate, the Certificate Authority thoroughly reviews the applicant; The review process entails examination of corporate documents, confirmation of identity, and verifies relevant information through a third-party database. 

Answer these questions to help find the SSL certificate you need:

1. Where are you located? 

Our certificates are issued worldwide with a few exceptions. Check this list to see if you’re covered.

2. Do you have a business or personal website?

Unless you sell things on your personal website, a Standard SSL certificate (DV) is fine. This is also true for informational business sites. eCommerce websites should use a single-domain Standard SSL certificate (DV) or Premium SSL certificate (EV).

3. Which type of web hosting server do you use?

Our SSL certificates work on most hosting and server configurations. To protect multiple domains on Microsoft’s Exchange Server 2007, Exchange Server 2010 or Live® Communications Server, use a Multiple Domain UCC SSL.

4. How many different domains do you need to protect?

Wildcard SSL certificates cover multiple subdomains. For example, use a Wildcard to protect *.coolexample.com, which would cover shop.coolexample.com, www.coolexample.com and any other subdomains.

UCC SSL certificates will cover multiple domains, subdomains and websites. For example, you can secure www.coolexample.com, mail.coolexample.com, and www.awesomeexample.com.

5. Do you need an SSL certificate that supports Intel vPro technology for remote PC management? 

You’ll need our OV Deluxe certificate.