The main difference between Organization Validation (OV) and Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificates lies in the level of validation and the information included in the certificate. Here's a breakdown of the distinctions:
1. Validation Process:
- DV SSL Certificate:
- DV certificates undergo a basic validation process, where the Certificate Authority (CA) verifies that the certificate applicant has control over the domain. This often involves simple methods like email verification or adding a specific file to the website.
- OV SSL Certificate:
- OV certificates involve a more extensive validation process. In addition to domain ownership verification, the CA conducts checks to confirm the legal existence, physical location, and operational status of the organization behind the website.
2. Information Displayed:
- DV SSL Certificate:
- DV certificates typically display only basic information about the domain in the certificate details. Users see that the website has a secure connection, but they don't see organizational details.
- OV SSL Certificate:
- OV certificates display the organization's name in the certificate details, providing users with visible confirmation of the legitimacy of the website and the organization behind it.
3. Trust Indicators:
- DV SSL Certificate:
- DV certificates provide basic encryption but lack the additional visual trust indicators associated with organization information.
- OV SSL Certificate:
- OV certificates come with enhanced visual trust indicators in web browsers, as the presence of the organization's name adds an extra layer of assurance to visitors.
4. Use Cases:
- DV SSL Certificate:
- DV certificates are suitable for a wide range of websites where the primary goal is to establish a secure encrypted connection. They are often used for blogs, personal websites, or small business sites.
- OV SSL Certificate:
- OV certificates are more commonly chosen by businesses, e-commerce platforms, and organizations that want to convey a higher level of trust and authenticity to their website visitors.
In summary, while both DV and OV certificates provide encryption, OV certificates offer a higher level of validation and display additional organizational information, making them preferable for situations where building trust and authenticity are paramount.
