March Madness has struck SSL4Less.com (http://www.ssl4less.com).

We will be offering WebHostingTalk.com members $10 off the already low priced GeoTrust/Equifax eBusinessID 128bit SSL Certificates through March 31st, 2002.

If you are in the market for SSL Certificates, look no further! SSL4Less.com (http://www.ssl4less.com) is the most economical choice you can make.

Compare our prices

SSL4Less.com: $89 (WHT special)
Direct from GeoTrust: $175
Verisign: $349
Thawte: $125


Note: This is not a QuickSSL. This is a Genuine 128bit eBusinessID with TrueSite.

How to take advantage of this incredible savings:

At the signup form the first item is a referral field, select WebHostingTalk from the drop down menu. Thats it. Bam instant savings.

Happy Hosting,

Tracy Phillips

Why, this is simply mad. Where will it stop?

I just wanted to recommend ssl4less.com, as we got a cert from them and it was a seemless process. Couldn't be happier.

Well,

I have been waiting 3 weeks for a certificate from them, still not got it :(

The company that wants the certificate is not registered so dosent have any documents to prove it, without that they wont give a cert :confused:

Not trying to defend SSL4Less.com (as I used to own it, but sold it to Planet Digita), but...
If you are waiting on a cert because you don't have documentation, then this is an issue with Equifax, not SSL4Less.

Also, if you don't have documentation, I would recommend going to http://www.dnb.com and obtaining a D&B number. This is ALL you need.

While being a little off-topic I just read this interesting thread
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38671

so PlanetDigita, what is your policy if someone wants to move their Windows site ( along with the SSL Cert ) to an Apache server?

Originally posted by sbrad
Not trying to defend SSL4Less.com (as I used to own it, but sold it to Planet Digita), but...
If you are waiting on a cert because you don't have documentation, then this is an issue with Equifax, not SSL4Less.

Also, if you don't have documentation, I would recommend going to http://www.dnb.com and obtaining a D&B number. This is ALL you need.

Have you looked at that form, I wouldnt even dare :D
Is this for internatonal companys also?

Have you looked at that form
Of course.
Is this for internatonal companys also?
Yes, I believe so. Someone outside the US may want to chime in on this one.

Hi I want to the website and it isn't very clear of what I should do, I'm a webhosting company in the NEtherlands, so what info should I fax over to you???

Lets see here.

cabalstudios: if you are who I think you are we got the d &b thing worked out today.

to everyone else. a csr is more than encrypting data between server and browser. it is saying you are who you say you are and that you have been verified by a third party that is "trustworthy". that is why browsers do not recoginze some certs, because the browser does not trust the third party, not that the data is not encrypted.

anyway enough boring stuff.

ASPCode.net: not sure about this one. I do not think that it would be a problem. I do know that IIS 5.0 uses certs that are text files but they have to end in .crt (but that is the only difference that I am aware of).

Starhost and everyone else that is interested in an SSL certificate. Do yourself a big favor, do what Sbrad suggested and get a DUNS number. You can get the link to Dun & Bradstreet here http://www.ssl4less.com/duns.php. Also DUNS numbers are free and extremely easy to get. GeoTrust, Verisign and Thawte all take a DUNS number in lieu of "paper" documents to show who you are.

In case you do not want to bother getting a DUNS number (I highly recommend you getting one) you will have to provide "proof of right". You can view types of docs to support this here http://www.ssl4less.com/step1.php

Remember DUNS numbers are your friend.

Anymore issues' or concerns post them here and I will try to check the board more often.


This just in. I now know that SSL certs bought through OpenSRS have to have supporting documentation and cannot use a DUNS number to verify who you are. You have to provide the "paper" to backup who you are.

Hi Tracy,

What will be the cost for a Wildcard Web Server Certificate?

:cool:

I could sell you one but then I'd have too...

No seriously, they are expensive. So we do not sell them. GeoTrust sells them for $500. If you really need one, I suggest that you get one from them.

If you only want to secure two or three subdomains like I do, I would just buy a cert for each individual subdomain.

3 subdomains during march would only be $267. That is a heck of a lot better than $500.

I want a ssl certificate for a Firedepartment, what should I do in order to request one?

I asked them about a DUNS record but they don't got one, is their a way to request a certificate without a DUNS number. Further more what should I give those guys as a proof of business for a firedepartment?

Type the following letter:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Company Letterhead]


I, [Individual], [position], am confirming that the name ["Originization Name"] is a legal entity and I have full proof of right to do business under this name.


Signed by:

Head of the Department

Contact information:

Name:
Position:
Email:
Phone:

(List contact information for the Head of the Department's immediate supervisor)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

That should do it. Since they would be a government agency there would not be any business docs so they would need to type and sign this letter.

Happy Hosting,

Tracy Phillips
PlanetDigita.com

PlanetDigita: how do you handle international companies? What documents are needed to apply for a certificate?

Ales,

About 50% of our business is from International Companies. The same documentaion is required wether you are a Domestic Company or an International Company.

You must make sure the following items consistently match in order to have your server certificate order processed:


The Registant listed in the InterNIC/Whois records for the domain name in question.
The Organization appearing in your "Proof of Organization" documents or DUNS number
The organization entered into the CSR (Certificate Signing Request)


One of the following documents are considerd acceptable for "Proof of Orgianization":


DUNS Number (preferred method)
Articles of Incorporation
Business License
Doing Business As (DBA) registration
Partnership Documentation
Sole Proprietorship documentation


Note: All documentation must be provided in English or with an English translation.

Hope this helps,

What if you dont have any of them documents? I am a sole proprietor but we dont need any documentation to say so.

The only document that you would need as a sole proprietor would be a business license. Of course you would not even need that, unless of course you wanted an SSL certificate.

And if you did not want to provide something, there would not be any way that I am aware of to get an SSL certificate from:

GeoTrust
Thawte
Verisign
OpenSRS

I am sure that there are some more out there but I doubt if they would be recognized by the current crop of browsers.

Hope this helps.

Here in the UK you can run a business without any kind of license - all you need is a business bank account and you can trade and accept payment under that name etc. There are people in this position who still have secure certificates.

Also, what if there was somebody who sold products, say hand made cards or something, which they do as a hobby, and want to sell online - how would they then get a certificate as they aren't a business or even purporting to be?

Very simple. Get a DUNS number.

Im in the uk and dont have anything to say that i own a business other than my bank account. I need to get a certificate so i can offer shared secure hosting for my resellers. Can anyone help me here?

Originally posted by PlanetDigita
The only document that you would need as a sole proprietor would be a business license. Of course you would not even need that, unless of course you wanted an SSL certificate.

And if you did not want to provide something, there would not be any way that I am aware of to get an SSL certificate from:

GeoTrust
Thawte
Verisign
OpenSRS

I am sure that there are some more out there but I doubt if they would be recognized by the current crop of browsers.

Hope this helps.

I currently have 2 GeoTrust QuickSSL certs and got them within 15 minutes by email. I don't have a business license as my business resides in the county and is considered a "service" business and therefore doesn't need one. All I had to do was supply an "admin" email account and then be able to check the email on that account and click a link to get my QuickSSL certs.

Now geotrust.com has raised prices to $119 so I'd like to use you guys but man the faxing and letterheads and stuff just (no offense) get on my nerves so as much as I hate to spend the extra $30 for geotrust.com I will just to avoid the hassle :(

I'm at dnb now filling out the forms and they don't have my title! My official title is janitor :D

Since we are currently in Sweden, I went there to to Swedish website of dnb to register for DUNS number, but all they have is information about what it is. There is no link on that website where we can signup for one.

I ordered a certificate from ssl4less.com yesterday. There were some problems with my credit card, but they got solved within an hour or so, because I got very fast replies to emails.
Being from the Netherlands, I do not have a DBA certificate or anything like that, but it turned out that I do have a Dun & Bradstreet number.
At the moment I'm waiting patiently for my certificate to arrive, but I was told it would take a couple of days.

T_E_O: You have your cert, that was under a 24 hour turn around time. Not bad.

To the people who do not have the business documentation or web hosts that do not even purport to be a business:

SSL Certificates do not mean that you are a business. SSL Certificates do two things and thats it.

1. Encrypt data between server and browser.

2. They verify you are who you say you are.

Now, no 3rd party is going to verify who you say you are with a letter saying I am legit because I say so. Sorry thats not going to cut it. The closest thing to that is a QuickSSL as mentioned above.

If you cannot prove that you are legit to a 3rd party, maybe a QuickSSL is the way to go for your business (wether you purport to be one or not).

Hope this makes more sense.

We ordered ours, very painless process. Of course, we also have a DUNS number, so that probably helped.

PlanetDigita: That's correct, I received it within one hour or so after posting here. The entire process went very very smooth.
Pleasure doing business with you.

We just recently went through this process and it was extremely easy.

We're incorporated in Canada and all GeoTrust required us to send was our incorporation document.

We had no problems and I can't see any reason for complaints. The only potential for problems that I can see is if you have not legally registered your company in any form. If this is the case, then I think it is only fair that GeoTrust (or Thawte or Verisign) choose not to put their guarantee stating that you are who you say you are. If they can't receive any documentation that allows them to make this guarantee I don't know how you could expect them to do this.

David Delise

Thanks, we really appreciate the complements. It is a really simple process.


Webbloom, now that is one cool domain name.

PlanetDigita,

As I mentioned before, I went to the Swedish website of DnB and could not find anywhere to search or signup for a DUNS number. I've emailed their support to see how it works.

Anyways, I can provide documents if needed. But first, I have a couple of questions if you don't mind..

1 - We might move to another country in a couple of months, and might move our company as well. Does this mean we have to buy a new certificate?

2 - What is the difference between the certificate you are offering and the QuickSSL one?

Thank you in advance,
Saeed

I'm not saying you should be able to get a certificate even if you have no documentation to prove you are who you say you are :) There are bank statements etc etc which could be used, or a VAT invoice. I was just pointing out that there are people who don't have any official documentation to say they are a business as such because they don't need any.

benoire, the only way for them to get an SSL that I know of would be to get a DUNS number.

Mr. Amazon,

1. No, you would not have to buy a new certificate. If you wanted the information to be correct when someone clicks on your TrueSite Icon, then you would need to contact GeoTrust and have them to change it as well. You would probably (not sure about this one) have to change your Whois query for your domain name to match this new information.

2. QuickSSL has something like a 91-93% browser recognition where an eBusinessID has 98% rocognition. Also a QuickSSL certificate does not include a TrueSite Identity Icon, they are something like $79 extra to get one.

QuickSSL = $119
TrueSite = $79
Equals $198 Which is about the price GeoTrust sells eBusinessID's retail.


Now if you get an eBusinessID from SSL4Less.com you get TrueSite included for only $99, or $89 during the WHT special.

What a great response that we have gotten from you guys, We really appreciate doing business with each and every one of you.

We may have to have a Christmas in July sale or something close.

Thanks for your questions. Hope to secure you soon :)

Tracy Phillips
SSL4Less.com

PlanetDigita,

We have received our DUNS number now. It turned out that we have to become a member of the Swedish website to be able to search (I think it costs money), but they provide your DUNS number if you email them (which we did).

What I'm wondering now is, what is the difference between the SSL certificate you're providing and the $125 first year ($100/yr renewal) one from THAWTE? From what I can see, for about $35 more for the first year ($25 if your special ends), you can get a more compatible SSL cert. From the information provided on this page (http://www.geotrust.com/ebusinessid/browsers.asp) (GeoTrust) and this page (http://www.thawte.com/getinfo/products/browsers.html) (THAWTE) I gather the following:

The THAWTE certificate is compatible with Opera 3+ where GeoTrust is compatible with Opera 5+. THAWTE is also compatible with WebTV Classic, WebTV Plus and FrontPage 2000 which GeoTrust is not!

Your comments would be appriciated on this.

Thank you.

Good Gawd. Doesn't ANYONE use email anymore?

TrueSite. The "Smart Icon" gets dynamically generated when you place you TrueSite code on a page. Here is a little more info about TrueSite:

http://www.geotrust.com/truesite

As far as compatibility with Opera 3+. Do you still code for 3.x browsers? If you code for modern browsers then your pages will more than likely not render correctly.

What you have to look at is your target market. To use an SSL certificate for WebTV Classic, WebTV Plus and FrontPage 2000 (not sure about frontpage 2000, i know nothing about it) you would need to code your site to be rendered correctly in all of these browsers. If this is the case then Thawte or VeriSign is probabley the cert for you.

I am not going to knock their product. The thing about SSL4Less is that we are a small bulk buyer of GeoTrust eBusinessID's. We give very personalized support. If you have a problem let us know and will will get with GeoTrust. We definatley get priority support from them.

Hope this helps.

Sbrad, quit yer bitchin' :)

If anyone would like to contact me off the board my email address is tracy@ssl4less.com.

Either way I do not mind answering the questions that you ask either on the board or via email, or phone for that matter.

Sbrad, quit yer bitchin':)
Boy, I'll wind you up like an antique clock.

You're kids'll say, "Mommy, what in the HELL happened to daddy?"

Slow day = trash talk

SLOW DAY = OFF TOPIC :)

Speaking of Clocks...

I will be in your area on April 27th.

Hope the kids and wife are doing well.

Have you been thinking about that "thing" anymore.

heck just email me.

what do you guys think about www.instantssl.com (http://www.instantssl.com) ? And nobody in this forum mentioned about it yet...

This is the cheapest I found, can you believe it, just 49 bucks?

But instantssl.com (without www) points to a dead page @ comodo.net.

pros/cons??

thx.

Looks a little to good to be true dosen't it? I wonder why they do not use their own certs for their secure server. They use Thawte, now that makes me feel better. Not.



I guess I should not say that. I am sure their intentions are well. I would just like to test their certs with the different browsers.

I guess they want the best available browser compatibility for their own site ;)

But seriously.. does anyone have any experience with these guys ? Even google doesn't turn up any additional information on them :eek:

Hi,

Just wanted to know if anybody else has had to wait a long time for their SSL certificates. I ordered one on the 26th from SSL4Less.com and sent the DBA in on the 27th (in the morning). Haven't heard back yet, so I emailed GeoTrust and they said that it was issued and sent to Tracy Phillips (Technical Contact at PlanetDigita) on the 27th. Don't know why it takes two days to forward an attachment.

We've had our website all ready to take orders for the past week, but can't accept CC numbers until we get our SSL.

Anyways, they may have a good price but if you need one in a hurry, look elsewhere.

--ddpg
pgogas@nospam.genuhost.com
(take out the nospam. to email me)

That is strange. GeoTrust sent my certificate to Tracy and cc'ed it to me. Or vice versa :) So I got the certificate at the same time Tracy got it. And they replied very fast to every email I sent them.

Thats what I thought. I guess sometimes everything does not work as planned.

Anyway I sent him/her my copy of the cert earlier. I certainly hope everything is going ok now.

Remember 2 more days and the March Madness Sale ends.



Arrggghhhhh.

I just finished reading his/her post. If you had gotton the Certificate from GeoTrust you would not have received it any faster simply because they were the one (that supposedly) did not send it to you.

And for another thing. 3 days is the norm for getting an SSL Certificate sometimes its less, sometimes its more. So a Two day turn around (with a glitch) is still nothing to complain about.



Peace,

Tracy Phillips

I'd just like to add that I ordered my SSL Cert from PlanetDigita on 3/13/02 at around 3:30 PM EST and received it from GeoTrust on 3/14/02 at around 12:30 PM EST. 21 hour turn-around time. Not too bad. ;)

Richard