Web Hosting Firm, Network Solutions, Offers Higher Level SSL Certificates

Herndon, Virginia - (The Hosting News) - March 29, 2007 - Web hosting provider, domain name registration and services firm, Network Solutions, has released a new level of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates, to increase the level of security and assurance.

The new SiteSafe Extended Validation Certificates (EV Certificates), include encryption and rigorous validation criteria that applicants must meet, to provide Internet consumers with EV certificates, an increased level of confidence as to web site validity and security for safe business transactions. Network Solutions is offering special introductory pricing on SiteSafe Extended Validation Certificates, starting at $399.50 per year with a multi-year term purchase.

Champ Mitchell, Chairman and CEO of Network Solutions offered, “Network Solutions is committed to delivering effective solutions to the constantly evolving online security threats businesses face. By offering Extended Validation Certificates, our customers will be able to show their customers that they are serious about security and about providing the most secure Web sites possible for business transactions.”

As visual assurance of an extended validation level of security, the address bar of next-generation web browsers (like Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 7) turns green when the user surfs to a web site protected by an EV Certificate. In addition to the padlock image and “https” shown today, the green bar is expected to become the next visual signal sought by customers seeking safe online transactions. web sites secured by non-EV Certificates continue to display the closed padlock and “https”; however, the browser address bar remains white. Known “phishing” or otherwise untrustworthy sites, as well as those sites with expired SSL certificates, turn the address bar red in next-generation browsers. The new green address bar immediately shows site visitors that a web site using an EV Certificate is not a fraudulent or “phishing” site.

Network Solutions’ EV Certificate application process requires applicants to provide, for validation, detailed information about their businesses, such as a Dun and Bradstreet registration number; proof of physical address via database listings; and corporate, financial, and government issued documents such as Articles of Incorporation. Due to the rigorous validation process required for EV Certificates, the validation and issuance process may take several days to complete. Due to industry restrictions, individuals and certain types of business entities, such as sole proprietorships and general partnerships, are not eligible for EV Certificates at this time. However, for those businesses that do not meet the strict EV Certificate eligibility requirements, Network Solutions offers several other types of 256-bit SSL certificates that demonstrate a company’s legitimacy and provide the same level of encryption as an EV Certificate.

Network Solutions, provider of web based solutions and domain name registration services, offers a full range of web based services, including web hosting, web site design, e-commerce, online marketing, security services, e-mail and domain name registration services. Network Solutions draws on 26 years of experience to make it easy and affordable for customers to get online with tailored solutions that deliver tremendous value.

For more information about Network Solutions, please visit: www.networksolutions.com.