Websites using Thawte

Okay, let s break down Thawte:

Thawte: An Overview

• What it is: Thawte is a Certificate Authority (CA), a trusted third-party that issues digital certificates. These certificates are primarily used to enable secure communication (HTTPS) between a web server and a browser, proving website identity and encrypting data. Thawte also offers certificates for code signing, email security (S/MIME), and other security applications.

• History and Ownership: Thawte was one of the earliest CAs, founded in 1995 in South Africa by Mark Shuttleworth. It was acquired by Verisign in 1999. Since then, it s operated as a subsidiary of Verisign (which later spun off its security business to Symantec, and that part was then acquired by DigiCert). Essentially, Thawte is now part of the DigiCert family.

• Key Functions:

  • SSL/TLS Certificates: Securing websites and web applications.
  • Code Signing Certificates: Verifying the authenticity and integrity of software code.
  • Email Certificates (S/MIME): Securing email communication through encryption and digital signatures.

Revenue:

• Not Publicly Disclosed: Thawte s specific revenue figures are not publicly available. As it s part of DigiCert, its financials are rolled into DigiCert s overall revenue. DigiCert is a private company backed by Clearlake Capital Group.

Alternatives to Thawte:

There are numerous alternatives to Thawte, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. Here s a list with general characteristics:

• DigiCert: (Parent Company) DigiCert is a premium CA known for its strong reputation, excellent customer support, and a wide range of certificate options. It s generally considered a top-tier provider, and will offer the same range of certificates as Thawte.
• Sectigo (formerly Comodo CA): Sectigo is a large CA that offers a variety of SSL certificates at competitive prices. They are known for their frequent discounts and promotions.
• GlobalSign: GlobalSign is another well-established CA that provides a comprehensive suite of digital certificates and security solutions, with a strong focus on enterprise clients.
• Entrust: Entrust is a security company offering a range of digital security solutions including SSL certificates and identity management tools.
• Let s Encrypt: Let s Encrypt is a free, automated, and open CA. It s a great option for basic SSL certificates, especially for personal websites or small projects. It s automated, so you ll need to use a tool like Certbot to manage the certificate issuance and renewal.
• Cloudflare: While primarily a CDN and security company, Cloudflare offers free SSL certificates as part of its service. This is very convenient if you re already using Cloudflare.
• ZeroSSL: A commercial certificate authority which also offers a free option with some limitations.
• GoDaddy: While mainly known as a domain registrar and web host, GoDaddy also sells SSL certificates. The pricing is often competitive.
• Namecheap: Similar to GoDaddy, Namecheap is a domain registrar that also provides affordable SSL certificates.

Pricing:

• Variable: Thawte s pricing varies depending on the type of certificate, the validation level (Domain Validated, Organization Validated, Extended Validation), the validity period (1-3 years), and any additional features or services.
• Entry-Level SSL: Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates are the least expensive.
• Higher Assurance SSL: Organization Validated (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates are more expensive due to the more rigorous verification process.
• Wildcard SSL: These certificates, which secure a domain and all its subdomains, are priced higher than single-domain certificates.
• Promotions and Discounts: Thawte and its resellers often run promotions and offer discounts, so it s worth shopping around.

To get specific pricing:

1. Visit the Thawte Website: Go to the Thawte website (usually accessible through DigiCert s website).
2. Browse Certificate Types: Navigate to the SSL/TLS certificate section.
3. Compare Options: Look at the different certificate types (DV, OV, EV, Wildcard) and their features.
4. Request a Quote or Check Resellers: You may need to request a quote for certain certificate types. Also, compare prices from authorized resellers, as they sometimes offer better deals.

Customer Care Details:

• Support Channels: Thawte s customer support is generally handled through DigiCert. You can expect to find:
  • Online Knowledge Base/FAQ: A comprehensive collection of articles and guides to answer common questions.
  • Email Support: For submitting support tickets.
  • Phone Support: Often available, but response times may vary depending on the support level and urgency.
  • Live Chat: Sometimes available, but not always guaranteed.
• Support Quality: DigiCert is generally known for providing good customer support. However, user experiences can vary. Look for recent reviews online to get a sense of current customer satisfaction.
• Self-Service Resources: Thawte provides a number of resources to help customers self-manage their certificates, including:
  • Certificate lifecycle management tools
  • Knowledgebase articles
  • FAQs

How to Find Thawte Customer Support:

1. Go to the DigiCert Website: As Thawte is part of DigiCert, start there.
2. Look for Support or Contact Us : Find the support or contact information on the DigiCert website.
3. Specify Thawte: When contacting support, make sure to specify that you re a Thawte customer.

Key Considerations When Choosing a CA:

• Reputation and Trust: Choose a CA that is well-established and trusted.
• Certificate Type: Select the appropriate certificate type for your needs (DV, OV, EV, Wildcard, etc.).
• Price: Compare pricing from different CAs and resellers.
• Customer Support: Consider the quality and availability of customer support.
• Browser Compatibility: Ensure that the CA s certificates are widely compatible with different browsers and devices.
• Warranty: Check the warranty offered by the CA in case of certificate-related issues.
• Issuance Speed: Some CA s offer faster issuance times than others.

I hope this comprehensive overview is helpful!