Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : SSL Cerificates

[Racin' Rob]

I need some advise in getting an SSL certificate.

I'm looking at Thawte and comparing their $125 and $300 certificates.

At what bit level does the $125 certificate encrypt at?
128 bit bor North American browsers and 40 bit for International? Or 40 bit for all?

Do I need the $300 to get 128 bit encryption for domestic browsers?

Thanks,

[CUSL2.com]

Check out http://www.equifax.com. They have a $45 128-bit SSL certificate, basically from Thawte.

[ODE]

Does anyone know if equifax is recognized as a certificate authority in IE and Netscape? If yes, then what versions does it apply to?

[Mike]

Their cert was recognized by my Netscape 4.72 - They have a SSL test page at https://www.equifaxsecure.com/ebusinessid/ssl_demo.html

They also have a browser compatibility chart at https://www.equifaxsecure.com/ebusinessid/browsers.html

I don't think that equifax has any relation to Thawte though.

Also, I see the server cert at $79, not $45 - Please post the URL where you saw the cert for $45...

[Edited by Mike on 09-14-2000 at 03:38 PM]

[alchiba]

Equifax is its own Certificate Authority, no relation to Thawte. They had a lenghty promotion at $45. Looks like they've gone up.

You can check your browser by going to their test SSL page at https://www.equifaxsecure.com/ebusinessid/ssl_demo.html

They say they support the following browsers:
AOL Browser 3.0
AOL Browser 4.0
AOL Browser 5.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02
(128-bit and majority of 40-bit)
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x
Netscape Communicator 4.x
Netscape Communicator 6.x
Netscape Navigator 3.x (needs root rollover)
Netscape Navigator 4.x



[Edited by alchiba on 09-14-2000 at 03:41 PM]

[ODE]

Oops off topic, here is an answer to your original question. We have a Thawte $125 certificate and it shows up on the browsers as 128 bit. Go to http://odenet.net and click <order now> in the left frame (I love saying that ) and you can see what it shows up as on your browser. Now keep in mind that if your browser only supports 40 bit than that is the highest encryption you'll be able to get unless you download 128 bit. There are some restrictions on the 128 bit encryption for some countrys. I think it's limited to the US only. Not sure on that one though.

Thanks Mike. I was typing this when I saw your response. I'll be sure to check those links out. $45 is a good deal!

[Racin' Rob]

Thanks everyone. I got my question answered and found a possible less expensive solution. The cheaper certificates do work at 128bit for domestic browsers.

Thanks,

[CUSL2.com]

That figures, I was about to get one for $45 and they raise the stupid price to $79. That's my luck...

As for my comment about Thawte, I got that from going to their SSL demonstration page, clicking on the security (padlock) icon. Look at the certification path. Thawte CA is listed as the root CA, then Equifax, then the site.

John