Last updated on April 19th, 2021 at 08:11 am
SSL Certificate in South Africa is an indispensable resource in the web hosting world. You are probably already using it on your website, or you are in the process of finding out what it is and how you can add it to your site. This article will help you achieve just that and even more. We shall be getting a good understanding of what the SSL certificate is, why it is important for your website, and where you can get it.
Let us kick off by knowing what exactly this important resource is.
Table of Contents
What is an SSL Certificate in South Africa?
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is technology that keeps sensitive data like credit cards, social security number, usernames, and passwords out of the hands of cyber crooks. It does this by encrypting and scrambling data as it passes between websites and web servers keeping it from being intercepted. Finally, when it reaches the intended recipient it is unencrypted.
Having an SSL certificate is a great way of telling visitors that you are the legitimate and verified owner of your site. This shows that you are serious about security which is consequently a great way of earning trust.
How do you know if a site is protected using an SSL certificate?
- Sites protected with an SSL certificate usually have a closed padlock on the extreme left side of the address bar, sometimes the padlock will be green in colour. When the padlock is open or is red in colour, it means that the site may not be fully secure.
- The URL begins with HTTPS instead of HTTP.
- Right-click on a blank area of your screen and choose “Properties” or “View Page Info” and find the option “Security” or “Connection” which will show the encryption status and the protocol that has been used.
Advantages of having an SSL Certificate in South Africa
- An SSL certificate can boost your rankings on search results.
Google and other search engines reward secure websites so as to encourage all websites to get onboard. No business is too small or too new to protect its customers with a new SSL certificate.
- SSL authenticates a business online identity and creates a sense of trust in its clients.
- Provides customers with a safe shopping environment.
- An SSL certificate will improve your conversion rates
Types of SSL Certificate in South Africa
There are three different kinds of SSL. They are all similar in function, that is their encryption levels, but they differ in the verification and vetting process involved in obtaining the certificate. They are classified as follows:
1. Extended Validation Certificates (EV SSL)
These kinds of certificates are available for all kinds of businesses such as incorporated and unincorporated businesses, and government entities.
Before the issuance of this specific SSL certificate, the Certificate Authority (CA) checks the right of the applicant to use a specific domain name and does a thorough vetting of the organisation. The EV guidelines carefully define the process of issuance. These are the steps:
- Verifying that the identity and entity match the official records.
- Authenticating that the entity has exclusive right to use the domain specified in EV SSL certificate
- Verifying the operational, legal, and physical existence of the entity
- Confirming that the entity has properly authorized the issuance of the EV SSL certificate.
The Certificate Authority is audited every year to ensure that the integrity of the issuance process is upheld.
2. Domain Validated (DV SSL) Certificates
The CA confirms the right of an applicant to use a given domain name. In this case, only the encryption information is displayed within the Secure Site Seal. This means that you are sure that your information is encrypted but you are not fully sure who is at the encrypting end of that information.
DV SSL certificates have the advantage of being supported and are issued almost immediately without the need to submit company paperwork. This makes DV SSL perfect for small businesses that need a low-cost SSL fast.
3. Organization Validated (OV SSL) Certificates
The CA conducts some organisation vetting as well as checks the right of the applicant in using a specific domain name. more company vetted information is displayed to the site visitors when they click on the Secure Site Seal. This gives enhanced visibility to who is behind the site, hence enhancing trust. The organisation name is also displayed in the certificate.
Where can I get an SSL Certificate in South Africa?
We have highlighted below some of the best SSL certificate providers there is in the market today. Click on any one of them to get your site secured and ready to serve your clients better than ever before.
1. Truehost
This is the most affordable and unique SSL certificate provider you will come across in the market. They have partnered with Global SSL providers to provide the most pocket-friendly SSL certificates globally.
They have a premium provider, AskSSL.com who automates the issuance and installation of SSL certificates. Just the convenience every user is looking for. Their pricing is unbelievably cheap as it includes a free SSL certificate that is domain validated. Check out more pricing plans below.
2. Network Solutions
Network solutions provides a wide range of services like e-commerce solutions, domain names, and SSL certification. What makes them stand out is their tempting pricing and their quick issuance of certificates.
The only downside is their customer service which has been rated quite low by their customers. Therefore, if you want extensive technical support this may not be for you. Before you dismiss it, let us look at their pricing. It may end up working for you if you understand how to install certificates.
3. GlobalSign
This company is focused on serving enterprise customers who want to deploy highly scalable PKI solutions. GlobalSign takes care of all the creation, distribution, and revocation for enterprise customers who have all the rules, policies, and procedures.
They provide scalable and flexible solutions for their customers. As much as their pricing is high, you will get every value for your money since the level of support and organisation that GlobalSign delivers is also high-end.
4. RapidSSL
This company is focused on serving small businesses that are cost-sensitive. They provide free support 24/7 through email or web and provide installation tools at no extra cost.
Their pricing is not only impressively cheap, but they also give a 30-day money-back guarantee and a $10,000 warranty for the wildcard certificate. Below is their pricing plan.
5. GeoTrust
If you are looking for a provider with a comprehensive solution of SSL certificates, then this is your plug. GeoTrust provides SSL Certificates, SSL for enterprise service, and Signing Services.
They have competitive prices for EV and OV level products but may be quite expensive for a single site certificate. Their enterprise solutions can be tailored to healthcare businesses, financial institutions, and government organizations. You may experience a delay in the identity checks, but the thoroughness has earned GeoTrust a high status. Below is their pricing plan.
6. Thawte
This company has done tremendously great as it has sold more than 40% of the global market SSL certificates. They have issued more than a billion certificates in about 240 countries globally.
You can never go wrong with a good strategy. Having selling points that have impressive browser compatibility and excellent certificate management tools has contributed to this success in a big way. To add, customer satisfaction and affordable pricing have been strong factors that make them stand out. At this point, it is only in order to check out their pricing.
7. Entrust Datacard
Since 1994, this US-based company has grown its reputation in being swift in generating certification. It is run by security experts who also deal with ID card printers, credit card printers, authentication systems, and PKI.
Due to their high level of security expertise, they are considered to have one of the strongest structures in SSL. Their ability to manage numerous certificates across many domains makes them likeable to many customers. Their prices are not the cheapest but you will definitely get value for your money.
8. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is commonly known as a web hosting giant who also provide SSL services. Their EV, OV, and EV certificates have the same prices at relatively low prices. This makes them stand out from many other service providers. Their pricing structure is based on a multiple sites, a single site, or a domain with full subdomain cover.
One way to save money when using GoDaddy is to do a fresh installation every year. This is because their renewal costs are higher than installation costs. Indicated below is their pricing plan.
In Conclusion
It is always better to be safe than sorry. Operating a website without security in the internet wild is a huge risk especially when sensitive data is involved. Even with a tight budget, you can start by having a free SSL certificate and