TLS Certificates
A TLS Certificate (Transport Layer Security) ensures the secure, encrypted transfer of data between a web browser and a website’s server and is a key security factor in online fundraising. It protects sensitive information, such as payment data during online donations, from being intercepted by third parties. TLS certificates come in three validation levels:
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Level 1 certificates: Quick to install and often free, such as those from Let’s Encrypt.
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Level 2 certificates: Require verification of both the domain and organization.
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Level 3 certificates: Offer the highest level of security with comprehensive validation of the domain, organization, and legal details (e.g., public registry).
As a general rule: the higher the level, the better the security – although this also involves more effort and higher costs.
A TLS certificate also improves website loading speed and SEO ranking, positively impacting digital fundraising. For large digital platforms with significant online donation volumes, a Level 2 or 3 certificate is recommended.