To understand the differences of the three types of SSL certificates—Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV)—it is helpful to understand what certificates are and how certificates are issued by authorized Certificate Authorities (CAs) like DigiCert. CAs are trusted third parties that issue TLS/SSL certificates by verifying identity details of a website owner. The only way to see these details is to look beyond the lock in the address bar. TLS/SSL certificates are two things. First, they provide a secure connection between a website by encrypting the data that is passed between users and the domain. Secondly, certificates verify the ownership and identity of the business or person that owns the URL. Just as a certificate would in the physical world, a digital certificate is essentially certifying your right to represent your business or organization online. Domain Validated Domain Validated (DV) certificates provide the lowest level of authentication, meaning anonymous entities can get a certificate. Jane Does meander at this level. Organization Validated Organization Validated (OV) certificates provide additional checks to ensure brand protections. Jane Doe can no longer hide in the shadows at this level. Extended Validation Extended Validation (EV) certificates guarantee the highest standard of brand protections. With EV, brands signal a commitment to customers that transaction are secure. Jane Doe is thoroughly identified.