SSL Certificates

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SSL?
Secure Sockets Layer, SSL, is the standard security technology for creating an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. This link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browser remain private and integral. SSL is an industry standard and is used by millions of websites in the protection of their online transactions with their customers. In order to be able to generate an SSL link, a web server requires an SSL Certificate. Instant SSL is such a Certificate, and when installed, can be used to create secure links to protect transactions, passwords, personal details, etc.

Why do I need SSL?

• Gain competitive advantage by appearing more trusted and more legitimate

• Provide assurance to your customers that their data cannot be tampered with or forged

• Ensure that your customer's sensitive data is transmitted securely

Will Instant SSL Certificates work correctly with my customer's browsers?
In order for your customer's browser to seamlessly use an Instant SSL Certificate, they must trust our 'Root Certificate'. Our Root (provided by Baltimore Technologies) is trusted by over 99.3% of all current browsers, comprising all Internet Explorer 5.01 and above, Netscape 4.77 and above, Firefox 0.1 and above, and AOL 5 and above and comes pre-installed with all Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems. This browser compatibility makes Instant SSL as trusted as Verisign and Thawte.

What are the advantages of a dedicated SSL Certificate over a shared Certificate?
A shared SSL certificate basically provides encryption, and displays the identity of your hosting provider. A dedicated SSL Certificate, however, provides proof that you (or your company) are who they claim to be and that the Certificate Issuer has performed due diligence to verify that.

A dedicated SSL Certificate also incorporates your domain name, letting your customers be confident that they are still dealing with you and have not been "hijacked".

A dedicated SSL Certificate can also move with you if your site is migrated to another server, saving you from having to re-code your website to have to use a different shared certificate.

Lastly, a dedicated certificate makes life easier for the web developer as paths remain constant between the secure and non-secure references to a resource. With a shared certificate, however, http://yourdomain.co.nz/images/foo.jpg becomes https://servername.hosts.net.nz/yourdomain.co.nz/images/foo.jpg, and the code for your site has to cope with inserting the yourdomain.co.nz in the path if html code is going to be used in both modes.

I am not a company, can I apply for a Certificate?
Yes, anyone wishing to provide a confidential and secure link between server and customer's browser can apply for a certificate.

Why do you ask for documentation when I apply for a certificate?
Comodo recognizes that strong validation is essential for the continuing growth of ecommerce. Before issuing a certificate we validate both that the applicant owns, or has legal right to use, the domain name featured in the application and secondly that the applicant is a legitimate and legally accountable entity. To do this we need to have access to documentation which verifies these two factors.

What if I have made a mistake in my application?
If you have already submitted your application please contact us immediately.

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