Versign 40 bit SSL vs. 128 bit SSL

Will 40 bit do it?

[wfernley]

Hey everyone,

Currently we are using a third-party merchant to handle our online transactions on our site. We are looking to use our own website with a Verisign SSL certificate. We noticed they have two SSL certificates, one being 40 bit ($399) and the other 128 bit ($995).

I was curious if there is a huge difference between these two. Obviously one has better encryption than the other but is it worth it to get the 128 bit certificate?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Wes

[Philosopher]

I would say you definitely would want the 128 bit, but you certainly don't have to go with verisign. There are lots of other SSL companies for MUCH less. Thawte is another big named one and is FAR less. There are others that are even less expensive.

All that being said, Verisign definitely has brand recognition, you just have to decide if it is worth the extra for the brand.

[Bewenched]

Thawte has worked well for us for many years now.

[Jack_Hughes]

if you require PCI DSS compliance then 128 bit it has got to be.

[wfernley]

Thanks for your posts. I noticed Thawte has the same service for 200 bucks so they are cheaper. Like you said, Verisign has brand recognition so that could help us as well. Considering our products range from $200 to $4000. If two or three sales are made just because of the Verisign seal in a year, it is already paid for.

[Phil_C]

wfernley, that's precisely my thought process. We also sell some high value products, and having previously paid £50 for a certificate, we've decided to go the VeriSign route purely to add credibility to our new website. Technically of course, there's little difference between 128 bit Comodo and 128 bit Verisign.

[wfernley]

I think thats going to be the route I take. I think over time the SSL brand will pay for itself.

Thanks everyone for your help :)