Need an SSL Cert - Cheap :-)

What's a good one?

[mmiller]

Hi Folks;

I've finally got my beta e-commerce site (it's nearly complete) installed on my new server. Now I need an SSL cert.

I don't know how soon the site will go live - basically at this point I just need the ability to use SSL on IIS.

Does anyone know of a good & cheap SSL cert company?

Thanks;
Marvin

[The Contractor]

You want good also? If yes, go to ev1servers.net/hosting/ssl/quickssl_details.asp and pick up a GeoTrust QuickSSL for $49 and you will save $140 over what GeoTrust charges. You actually deal/renew with GeoTrust for the certificate although it will renew at the $49.00 :)

I use and recommend this to many (no I'm not affiliated with ev1 and SSL certificates are the only thing I would buy from them).

[dreamcatcher]

To GoDaddy:

[godaddy.com...]

dc

[mmiller]

Thank you both for replying :)

Without getting too techincal, is an SSL cert an SSL cert or is there an important difference between the cheapest and the best?

[JollyK]

Without getting too technical, an SSL cert is an SSL cert most of the time. Here's where you need to be careful.

If the major browsers do not recognize the signing authority (Verisign, Geotrust, Thawte, etc, etc), then the user will get a warning. This will tend to scare your users off *even though* the site communication is still encrypted via ssl. You can create your own self-signed SSL cert, and the encryption on your website will be just as secure, but none of your users will want to do stuff on your site due to the "untrusted signer" warning.

I think there are still some places that do 40-bit encryption. If there are, don't do it. Get at least 128-bit encryption. (I don't know if 40-bit is cheaper in some places or not, but I do know that some browsers will warn users about low-security 40-bit encryption).

In short, anyone can make an SSL cert that will provide for secure communication. However, if your users' browsers are popping up a warning, you might as well not have it at all.

JK

[mmiller]

Thanks JollyK;

I think what I'm going to do is try out the cheap one (Turbo SSL™ Certificate - Just $19.95/yr) for final development purposes and then if there's issues with it I'll move over to the one The Contractor mentioned.

Thanks everyone ~ it's appreciated!

Marvin