Extended Validation SSL (EV SSL)

Definition - What does Extended Validation SSL (EV SSL) mean?

An Extended Validation SSL (EVSSL or EV SSL) certificate is a type of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate solution. Designed to eradicate online transaction fraud, EVSSL certificates help organizations gain consumer trust by providing secure transaction processes.

Although EVSSL certificates use standard SSL security levels, they demand more detailed verification about certificate requestors from issuing certification authorities (CA). EVSSL is considered the most powerful protection against phishing and other related scams.

Techopedia explains Extended Validation SSL (EV SSL)

In 2006, EVSSL was implemented by a group of reputable browser vendors and SSL certification authorities with its standards being based on the Guidelines for Extended Validation Certificates.

Websites with EVSSL certificates include a unique visual indicator in the Web browser address bar, which helps users recognize the implementation of enhanced security verification measures. For example, if Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) is used to navigate to an EVSSL-protected website, the browser's address bar turns to green when a user types the EVSSL-secured site URL. A display adjacent to this green bar may be toggled between the CA and organization name listed on the certificate, such as Geo Trust and VeriSign.

Web browsers designed to identify EVSSL Certificates are considered high-security. Major browsers currently supporting the visual identification of EVSSL certificates include:

  • Firefox 3.5 and later
  • IE7 and later
  • Google Chrome - all versions
  • Opera 9.5 and later
  • Safari 3.2 and later
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