During online activities, is common to click on websites. A common understanding of websites with https means secured website and http means unsecured website. How is website being secured. It is with SSL certificate.

In this section, the highlight is on the different types of certificate for website not limiting to the following:

1. Single Domain SSL Certificates:
   • These certificates apply to one domain only. They cannot be used to authenticate any other domain, including subdomains. For example, if a website has a single-domain certificate for example.com, it covers all pages under that domain, such as example.com/learning.
   • Use case: Ideal for securing a single website or application.
2. Wildcard SSL Certificates:
   • Wildcard SSL certificates cover a single domain and all its subdomains. Subdomains are under the umbrella of the main domain. For instance, if cloudflare.com has a wildcard certificate, it secures subdomains like blog.cloudflare.com, support.cloudflare.com, and developers.cloudflare.com.
   • Use case: Suitable for websites with multiple subdomains.
3. Multi-Domain SSL Certificates (MDC):
   • MDCs list multiple distinct domains on a single certificate. These domains need not be subdomains of each other. Cloudflare issues free MDCs, while dedicated and customized SSL certificates are available for purchase.
   • Use case: Perfect for securing several unrelated domains with a single certificate.
4. Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates:
   • EV SSL certificates provide the highest level of assurance. They involve a rigorous vetting process, verifying the legal existence and identity of the organization behind the domain.
   • Use case: Recommended for e-commerce sites, financial institutions, and other high-trust scenarios.
5. Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates:
   • OV SSL certificates validate the organization’s identity, ensuring it is a legitimate entity. While not as extensive as EV certificates, they offer more trust than DV certificates.
   • Use case: Suitable for business websites and applications.
6. Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates:
   • DV SSL certificates provide the quickest and easiest validation. They verify domain ownership but do not delve into organizational details.
   • Use case: Commonly used for personal blogs, small websites, and non-critical applications.

Remember that the encryption levels remain the same across all these certificates; the difference lies in the vetting and verification processes required to obtain them¹²³⁴⁵. Choose the right SSL certificate based on your specific needs and security requirements!