> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.enrolweb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understanding SSL Certificates

> Learn what SSL certificates are, how HTTPS protects your site and visitors, and which certificate type is right for your business.

SSL certificates encrypt the connection between your website and its visitors, keeping data private and building trust with browsers. This page explains what SSL is, how it works, and how to choose the right certificate for your site.

## What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), now called TLS (Transport Layer Security), encrypts data sent between a browser and a web server. When a site uses SSL, its URL starts with `https://` and browsers display a padlock icon.

## Why you need SSL

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Data privacy" icon="lock">
    Encrypts passwords, payments, and personal info in transit.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Visitor trust" icon="shield">
    Browsers mark non-HTTPS sites as "Not Secure".
  </Card>

  <Card title="SEO ranking" icon="chart-line">
    Google favors HTTPS sites in search results.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compliance" icon="scale-balanced">
    Required for PCI DSS and many privacy regulations.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Types of SSL certificates

### Domain Validation (DV)

* Fastest to issue (minutes)
* Verifies domain ownership only
* Best for blogs, personal sites, and small business sites

### Organization Validation (OV)

* Issued in 1-3 days
* Verifies your organization exists
* Best for business and ecommerce sites

### Extended Validation (EV)

* Issued in 1-7 days after full company vetting
* Highest level of trust
* Best for banks, large ecommerce, and enterprises

### Wildcard certificates

* Secure one domain plus all its subdomains (`*.yourdomain.com`)
* Available in DV or OV
* Best when you host many subdomains

### Multi-domain (SAN) certificates

* Secure multiple different domains with one certificate
* Available in DV, OV, and EV
* Best for hosting related sites under one cert

## Choose the right certificate

| If you need...                         | Choose                  |
| -------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Basic HTTPS for a blog or small site   | Domain Validation       |
| A trusted business site                | Organization Validation |
| Maximum trust for finance or ecommerce | Extended Validation     |
| To cover many subdomains               | Wildcard                |
| To cover multiple domains              | Multi-domain (SAN)      |

<Tip>
  Not sure which to buy? Start with DV for personal sites and OV for business sites. You can always upgrade later.
</Tip>

## Ready to get started?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Buy an SSL Certificate" icon="cart-shopping" href="/SSL & Website Security/faq">
    Choose and purchase the right certificate.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install SSL" icon="download" href="/SSL & Website Security/contact-2-2">
    Set up your certificate on your hosting.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Questions? Contact [support@enrolweb.com](mailto:support@enrolweb.com).