SSL certificates — frequently asked questions
What an SSL certificate does, which type to choose and how activation works.
What is an SSL certificate and why do I need one?expand_more
An SSL/TLS certificate encrypts the traffic between your visitors and your website, shows the padlock and https:// in the browser, and is required by browsers, payment providers and search engines. Without it, browsers mark your site as “Not secure”.
Which certificate type should I choose?expand_more
Domain Validated (DV) certificates are issued in minutes and are enough for blogs, portfolios and most business sites. Organisation Validated (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) certificates also verify your company and suit e-commerce, banking and corporate sites. A wildcard certificate covers every sub-domain of one domain.
How long does activation take?expand_more
DV certificates are usually issued within minutes after you prove control of the domain (e-mail, DNS record or HTTP file). OV and EV certificates take one to five business days because the certificate authority verifies the organisation.
Does the certificate work on any hosting?expand_more
Yes. You receive the certificate files and can install them on any server or hosting panel. On HostiGuard hosting plans it can be installed from your dashboard.
What is the difference between a free and a paid certificate?expand_more
Free certificates are DV only, valid for 90 days and renewed automatically; paid certificates offer longer validity, a site seal, a warranty from the certificate authority, organisation validation (OV/EV) and wildcard or multi-domain options.
Can one certificate cover several domains or sub-domains?expand_more
A wildcard certificate covers one domain and all its sub-domains (*.example.com). Multi-domain (SAN) certificates cover several different domains in one certificate — check the plan features for the number of names included.
What happens when the certificate expires?expand_more
We send renewal reminders before the expiry date and create the renewal invoice automatically; after payment the certificate is re-issued. An expired certificate makes browsers show a security warning, so renew in time.
Is there a refund if the certificate cannot be issued?expand_more
If a certificate cannot be issued for your domain or organisation, the order is refunded according to our refund policy. Prices start from $55.99 per year.
