EV (Extended Validation) and OV (Organization Validation) certificates are types of digital certificates used to establish trust and security, particularly for websites and software. They differ in their validation process and the level of trust they provide to users.
Understanding OV and EV Certificates
Here's a breakdown of OV and EV certificates:
| Feature | OV Certificate | EV Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Validation Level | Validates the organization's existence. | Performs a more thorough validation of the organization's legal existence and identity. |
| Trust Level | Provides a good level of trust. | Offers a higher level of trust. |
| Implementation | Simpler to attain compared to EV certificates. | Requires a more rigorous verification process. |
| Visual Indicator | No specific visual indicator in the browser address bar. | Displays the organization's name in the browser's address bar, providing a clear visual assurance to the user. |
| Common Use Cases | Securing websites, email communication. | Websites requiring high trust and security, such as e-commerce sites and financial institutions. |
| Code Signing | OV code signing certificates are commonly used. An EV code signing certificate is required to sign Windows 10 drivers. | Typically used when a very high level of assurance is needed. |
Key Differences Explained
- Validation Process: OV certificates verify that the organization exists and has control over the domain. EV certificates perform more extensive checks to confirm the organization's legal identity, physical address, and operational existence.
- Visual Indicators: EV certificates provide a prominent visual cue, such as displaying the organization's name in the browser's address bar. This visual confirmation helps users verify the website's authenticity and avoid phishing attacks. OV certificates do not offer the same visual assurance.
- Trust Level: Due to the more rigorous validation, EV certificates offer a higher level of trust compared to OV certificates. This can lead to increased user confidence and higher conversion rates for websites.
- Cost: EV certificates generally cost more than OV certificates due to the increased validation efforts required.
- Simplicity: OV certificates are simpler to attain than EV certificates.
Practical Implications
- Website Security: Both OV and EV certificates encrypt data transmitted between the user's browser and the web server, protecting sensitive information from eavesdropping.
- User Confidence: EV certificates, with their visual indicators, can boost user confidence and trust in a website.
- Code Signing: As stated in the reference, an EV code signing certificate is required to sign Windows 10 drivers. OV certificates are used for standard code signing needs.
In summary, OV certificates offer a standard level of validation and trust, suitable for many websites. EV certificates provide a higher level of assurance through a more rigorous validation process and visual indicators, making them ideal for websites that require a high level of trust and security. The certificate you choose depends on your needs.
