|
Thawte SSL Security Certificates
In the current application of certificates, the most common commercial usage of
certification is in the realm of Secure Servers. By using what is known as the SSL
protocol (Secure Socket Layer), servers use public-private keys to create secure
connections with web-browsers, allowing them to transmit secure information (such as
credit-card details) across the insecure internet.
By reading and trusting the certificate the web-browser can see that the company
is who they say they are. This prevents hostile situations where a company poses as a
bank, for example, and gets credit-card details and fund-transfer details from
unsuspecting customers.
Thawte's roots have been inserted in the major browser vendors’ products
since 1996. This gives Thawte customers industry leading browser ubiquity when they
purchase one of our SSL certificates. Below is a list of the browsers in which the
Thawte roots have been installed:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 onwards
- Netscape Navigator 2.x onwards
- Opera 3.x onwards
- Mozilla
- Safari
- Konqueror
- WebTV Classic and Plus
Obtaining a Thawte Security Certificate
To Begin The Process of obtaining a Thawte security certificate we ask that you to
send us some documentation via fax at 530 899-0416.
The documentation is described below. Once we receive the faxed documentation we will
contact you to complete the process. For assistance please contact us (link to
Contact Us page).
Before Thawte can issue your server certificate they have to verify that it is
being issued to the correct company. By "correct" we mean that the company is being
certified owns the Internet Domain Name, that it is registered as a company in one or
more countries, and that its registered name is the same as that on the
certificate.
The precise documentation we need varies depending on your country and type of
organization. It's most important that you get the documentation that proves your
registration with national or provincial or state authorities, because that is the
documentation that will determine the precise organization name you ask for in the
certificate.
Thawte will accept different kinds of documentation from each type of organization
as proof of its right to use that organizational name. Your "proof of org name
document" needs to be official, and needs to be independently verifiable.
Most organizations fall into one of the following categories:
- Companies, Corporations, Incorporations,: Inc, (Pty) Ltd., Plc., B.V.,
S.A. GmbH, LLC, State issued Trademarks etc
We will need a copy of your official company registration documents or certificate
of incorporation in your state or country. We are very strict about this, and
cannot waive these requirements.
- Partnerships: LLP
You should be registered with national, state or local authorities. Please provide
us with a copy of some form of verifiable proof of the partnership name.
- Proprietorships, DBA's and Fictitious/Assumed names
If you are a sole proprietor, DBA ("Doing Business As"), or have an
Assumed/Fictitious name, then we will need a copy of your DBA registration papers
for local levy's and taxes. Any official correspondence indicating your right to
use the name given on your request will generally be sufficient, as long as we can
cross-check it with the relevant authority.
- Government Departments
We require an original signed letter from the Head of that department on the
appropriate letterhead, along with contact information for his or her office and
immediate superiors.
- NGO's: Non-Government Organizations
We require an original signed letter from the Chief Executive, Chairman or Managing
Director of the NGO, on the appropriate letterhead.
- Universities and University Departments
We will require an original signed letter from the Dean or Vice-Chancellor
responsible for that department. Note that this must be on the appropriate
letterhead, accompanied by contact information for the University
concerned.
- Special Interest Groups
Special-interest groups are popping up all over the Internet: The Apache Group,
Debian, Linux Groups and others. We will issue such groups with certificates but
request that you contact us to discuss verification and authentication.
- Private Individuals
If you want such a certificate but are not registered, incorporated or licensed to
do business in your area, then we can issue the certificate to you in your personal
capacity. We will include your name as the organization name. Please note that we
only do this on rare occasions under special circumstances! In order for us to
issue a certificate to you, we will need the following: A photocopy of your
passport/identity document, stamped and certified by a relevant authority in the
country where you live. The person certifying this documentation needs to provide
their name and telephone number for further confirmation if necessary. Please post
the original copy to the representative which you have chosen during the
application process. A copy of a current bank statement in your name (you may black
out your financial details) OR A voided check from your bank account.
|
