The type of SSL certificate that best verifies the identity of the certificate holder is the Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate. EV SSL certificates provide the highest level of authentication and trust for websites.
To obtain an EV SSL certificate, the website owner must go through a stringent verification process conducted by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). The CA validates the legal existence, physical location, and operational status of the organization behind the website. This involves verifying official government records, legal documentation, physical address verification, and other extensive checks.
Once the CA confirms the organization's authenticity, they issue the EV SSL certificate. Websites with an EV SSL certificate display a prominent visual indicator in the browser address bar, such as a green padlock or the organization's name, providing clear and visible authentication to visitors.
EV SSL certificates are widely used by e-commerce websites, financial institutions, and other online platforms that require the highest level of security and trust. They offer enhanced protection against phishing attacks and instill confidence in users by displaying a clear verification of the website's identity.
It's important to note that other types of SSL certificates, such as Domain Validated (DV) and Organization Validated (OV) certificates, also provide encryption and secure connections. However, EV SSL certificates go through a more rigorous validation process and offer the strongest verification of the certificate holder's identity.