{"id":1406,"date":"2020-03-12T11:25:33","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T11:25:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/page\/?p=1406"},"modified":"2020-04-13T11:42:28","modified_gmt":"2020-04-13T11:42:28","slug":"free-ev-ssl-certificate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/page\/free-ev-ssl-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Possible to Get a Free EV SSL Certificate for an Ecommerce Site?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Get the scoop on free EV SSL certificates and what alternatives you can\nconsider for your ecommerce site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking for free EV SSL certificates? Sorry to disappoint\nyou, but they don\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s because extended validated (EV) SSL certificates are premium\nbusiness validated certificates \u2014 and as you likely know, no premium things in\nlife are free (especially not in the world of technology)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All free software, plugins, themes, apps, and media channels\nhave premium versions, i.e., some high-ended facilities or features that are\navailable only to paid members. It\u2019s the same with SSL\/TLS certificates. Domain validated\n(DV) SSL certificates<\/a> are basic SSL certs, which some non-profits provide\nfor free but with significant limitations as well. As such, EV SSL\ncertificates<\/a> are premium certificates that are only available to eligible\npaying users. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, while there is no free EV SSL certificate on earth \u2014\nthere are least some cost-effective options to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why No CAs Offer Free EV SSL Certificates <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are actually two related reasons why no certificate\nauthorities will issue free EV SSL certificates: validation and costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) CAs Have to Meet Strict EV Validation Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The CA\/B Forum<\/a>, a body\nof certificate authorities, browsers, and device manufacturers, has stipulated\nstrict guidelines for the extended validation process. If the CA issues an EV\nSSL certificate without following a proper verification process, it can lose\nits membership from the CA\/Browser Forum (CA\/B Forum). Plus, the browsers won’t\ntrust the other millions of digital certificates that were issued by that CA\npreviously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The risk is too high \u2014 no reputable CA would leave any stone\nunturned to verify the applicant business\u2019s identity before issuing an EV\ncertificate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) The EV Validation Process Is Too Costly to Perform for Free<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The entire validation process is manual. That means the CA not\nonly has to hire and train staff to perform the validation tasks, but they also\nhave to provide the infrastructure so that the staff can perform their duties.\nAll the details must be logged and documented per the CA\/B Forum\u2019s guidelines. As\nyou can imagine, all of this takes a substantial financial investment on the\nCA’s end. That’s why no CAs can afford to offer free EV SSL certificates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some non-profits offer free domain validated (DV) SSL\ncertificates because the validation process is automated and no staff is\nrequired. But these organizations don’t provide any customer support or warranties\nfor their SSL certificates. Furthermore, they offer SSL certificates with a\nvalidity of only three months<\/strong> due to the security issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commercial CAs, on the other hand, offer 24\/7 live\ncustomer support, generous warranties, free site seals and certificates with\ntwo years of validation period.<\/strong> That’s why they can’t afford even free DV\nSSL certificates. You don\u2019t get any of those things with free SSL certificate\nproviders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Are EV SSL Certificates Considered Premium Certificates?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why do people buy Rolex\ninstead of a $10 watch even though both show the same time? The answers are \u201cbrand\nname recognition\u201d and \u201chigher quality products.” In the same way, an EV\ncertificate represents a robust identity verification. It speaks for the\norganization\u2019s highest commitment towards its customer’s data security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two main security pillars of an SSL certificate. 1)\nEncryption<\/strong> and 2) Identity Assurance<\/strong>. Although, all the SSL\/TLS\ncertificates provide same level of encryption, the identity verification\nprocess differs up to a great extent. An EV SSL certificate is all about\nasserting the highest level of identity. Plus, you also get the added benefit\nof higher warranties as well. Research\nfrom Georgia Tech\u2019s Cyber Forensics Innovation (CyFI) Lab<\/a> indicates that 99.99%\nof domains with EV certificates are legit<\/a> and aren\u2019t involved in malware\/cybercrime\nactivities due to their rigorous verification processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut isn\u2019t extended validation unfair to businesses that can\u2019t afford an EV SSL certificate?\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No offense, but an EV SSL certificate isn\u2019t necessarily intended for businesses that can’t afford an $80 per year<\/a> investment in their security! No individual developers, freelancers, bloggers, or startups are eligible to get an EV SSL, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get qualified for an EV SSL, an organization must: <\/p>\n\n\n\n