McAfee, Inc. Partners with VeriSign to Promote
VeriSign Extended Validation SSL Certificates
Certificates enhance online transaction confidence
by providing consumers with an additional layer of Web site validation
MOUNTAIN VIEW and SANTA CLARA, CA – March 13, 2007 – McAfee,
Inc. (NYSE: MFE) and VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), the leading provider
of digital infrastructure for the networked world, today announced that
McAfee®, will automatically enable consumers using Microsoft Internet
Explorer 7 (IE7) operating on the Windows XP operating system to get
the new Extended Validation (EV) functionality for sites that use VeriSign
SSL Certificates.
VeriSign
EV SSL Certificates help maximize consumer confidence by
providing third-party verification of a Web site's authenticity, while
securing online transactions through encryption. When a user enters
a URL through a browser such as IE7, the browser address bar will turn
green, indicating that the site's identity has been verified using known,
reliable authentication methodology. The green browser bar will also
display both the name of the verified organization as well as the SSL
provider, allowing consumers to confirm the genuine name of the businesses
with which they are interacting.
Currently, IE7 operating on the Microsoft Vista operating
system is the only browser that automatically displays green browser
bar to indicate the presence of EV SSL certificates. To address EV functionality
for other operating systems, VeriSign has created the VeriSign
EV Upgrader™—which helps enable all supported platforms of
IE7 browsers, including Windows XP, to detect EV SSL Certificates and
display them appropriately. EV Upgrader prompts IE7 systems to seamlessly
update their VeriSign SSL Certificate roots.
Incorporating VeriSign EV Upgrader technology into
its public-facing sites McAfee assures that its users receive the root
update that makes it possible for IE7 browsers to recognize VeriSign
EV SSL Certificates and display the green address bar and other EV interface
conventions. With this partnership, VeriSign and McAfee will expand
the potential pool of consumers that will be able to fully benefit from
the capabilities of the EV SSL technology.
“We are excited to support VeriSign EV SSL Certificates,
which help McAfee meet its mission of protecting what consumers consider
valuable,” said Mark McArdle, SVP, Engineering, McAfee Consumer. “Consumers
remain concerned about banking and transacting online, and VeriSign
EV SSL Certificates provide another layer of security.”
VeriSign EV SSL Certificates complement McAfee’s safe
search and surf initiatives via McAfee SiteAdvisor™. McAfee SiteAdvisor's pioneering safe search technology protects
Internet users from adware, spam, viruses, phishing and other online
scams. SiteAdvisor's software adds intuitive red, yellow, or green
ratings to sites and search results based on proprietary tests of more
than 95% of the trafficked Web. SiteAdvisor's award-winning software
is available free of charge at www.mcafee.com.
A Web site that has undergone VeriSign Extended Validation
has passed rigorous authentication procedures, including the verification
of domain ownership and organizational identity. Businesses interested
in learning more about VeriSign EV SSL Certificates, should visit
http://www.verisign.com/ssl/ssl-information-center/ie7-ssl-security/index.html
“We are pleased to be working with McAfee to bring
VeriSign EV SSL Certificates to the broadest possible audience of consumers,"
said Chris Babel, vice president, SSL, VeriSign. "By making EV
functionality available to McAfee customers, VeriSign and McAfee are
greatly expanding the number of individuals who can enjoy another layer
of security when conducting online transactions. And as the industry
works together to bring transparency in rooting out fraudulent sites,
we will continue to provide solutions that allow consumers to transact
online with confidence."
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), operates digital infrastructure
services that enable and protect billions of interactions every day
across the world’s voice and data networks. Additional news and information
about the company is available at www.verisign.com
About McAfee:
McAfee Inc., the leading dedicated security technology company, headquartered
in Santa Clara, California, delivers proactive and proven solutions
and services that secure systems and networks around the world. With
its unmatched security expertise and commitment to innovation, McAfee
empowers home users, businesses, the public sector, and service providers
with the ability to block attacks, prevent disruptions, and continuously
track and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com.
Contacts
VeriSign Media Relations: Rufus Manning, rmanning@verisign.com,
703.948.4126
McAfee Media Relations: Francie Coulter, Francie_Coulter@mcafee.com,
408.992.8407
VeriSign Investor Relations: Ken Bond, kbond@verisign.com,
650.426.3744
Statements in this announcement other than historical
data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks
and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ
materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty
of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly
operating results due to such factors as the inability of VeriSign to
successfully develop and market new products and services and customer
acceptance of any new products or services, including VeriSign's Extended
Validation SSL Certificates; the possibility that VeriSign’s announced
new services may not result in additional customers, profits or revenues;
and increased competition and pricing pressures. More information about
potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial
results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2005 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking
statements after the date of this press release.
NOTE: McAfee and SiteAdvisor are registered trademarks
of McAfee, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries.
McAfee Red in connection with security is distinctive of McAfee brand
products. All other registered and unregistered trademarks herein are
the sole property of their respective owners. ©2007 McAfee, Inc. All
rights reserved.
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