EV SSL Certificates - University of Houston
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EV SSL Certificates

UIT Security Goes "Green"!  Launch of EV SSLs

The University Information Technology (UIT) Department utilizes Verisign Extended Validation (EV) Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates on a number of critical UH authentication webpages in order to improve security and combat fraud and phishing attacks made on users of University of Houston systems.

What is an EV SSL?

An EV SSL is a special type of website certificate that verifies the authenticity of the website. Users know they are accessing a website with an EV SSL by a green address bar or indicator displayed on their browser.

UH users can look for the green bar and trust that they are entering their account information into a secure and authentic UH system. If you receive an email containing a link that goes to a UH authentication page* that looks like a UH site, but the page does not have the green indicator, it is not a real UH website! DO NOT enter your userid and password on the site!

On what UH websites are the EV SSLs installed?

EV SSL certificates are installed on the following websites:

*While UIT is installing EV SSL certificates on its critical webpages, other UH college and department sites may not necessarily have them on their web pages. Other areas interested in installing EV SSL certificates on their sites should email the SSL account administrators in UIT Security for information at SSL@uh.edu.

What browsers support EV SSLs?

While EV SSL certificates will work with virtually all browsers, some older versions will not display the green indicator. Users are encouraged to use one of the browsers and versions listed below in order to take advantage of the green indicator and other added security features. When you see the green indicator, you will be assured that you are actually on the proper University of Houston site (please be aware that each particular browser implements the green indicator in a slightly different fashion). Browsers that currently support EV SSL certificates include:

Examples of the green indicators of some popular web browsers:

EV SSL Indicator