NEEDHAM, Mass., Aug 01, 2005 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- GeoTrust, Inc., a leader in identity verification solutions for e-business and a leading issuer of digital certificates for web security, today announced the GeoTrust Registered Member program, which is designed to create a more trustworthy Internet experience for consumers. Web sites that GeoTrust and its reseller partners have verified will be able to display a Verified Domain(TM) site seal that is dynamically generated and displayed on member sites each time the site is accessed. The program is available through a broad network of more than 3,000 GeoTrust web-hosting companies and resellers, including two of its larger partners, Tucows and Bulkregister.

"With more than 50 million active web sites worldwide, it is increasingly difficult to know which sites can be trusted and which ones should be avoided," stated Neal Creighton, CEO of GeoTrust. "That's why we are launching a membership program through our web hosting and reseller partners that allows legitimate sites to secure a new type of member site seal. GeoTrust's digital seals, which are displayed on approximately one-third of all e-commerce sites, have become a widely recognized brand that conveys online trust. We want to extend that trust to businesses who are not conducting e-commerce, but who want consumers to know that they are legitimate and responsible online businesses."

GeoTrust created the Registered Member program in response to the rapid increase in fraudulent web sites. According to a May 2005 Gartner survey, nearly half of all online shoppers in the U.S. have changed their buying habits because they are wary of phishing attacks and other assaults on sensitive data. Pharming, which diverts web users to look-alike sites, is another growing concern. The U.S. government's Internet Fraud Complaint Center noted that in 2004, complaints were up 67 percent over the prior year. Conservative estimates for financial losses due to online fraud are in the billions of dollars per year.

"Establishing and maintaining user trust is an important factor in the continued success of the Internet as a business and personal tool," said Elliot Noss, president and CETO, Tucows Inc. "We are pleased to be adding the GeoTrust Registered Member program to our line of wholesale services for retail through our channel of service providers."

"It's a simple and fast process to become a GeoTrust Registered Member and gain the GeoTrust 'stamp of approval,'" said Eric Rice, general manager, Bulkregister. "We expect broad support for this seal among web sites of all sizes and from all business segments."

Dynamically Generated Site Seal

Each time a visitor accesses a GeoTrust Registered Member site, GeoTrust will check its database to ensure that the site is still in good standing, and then dynamically issue a site seal for display on that site. The seal will contain a GeoCode(TM), a randomly generated color and number pattern that changes frequently and can be verified by clicking through to the GeoTrust web site to verify that it matches the official GeoCode. Site visitors are also encouraged to click through the seal to obtain additional information about the site and its owner.

To become a GeoTrust Registered Member site, Internet businesses go through an online verification process in which information about the site and its owners is collected and verified. GeoTrust deploys sophisticated anti- fraud algorithms, based on its extensive experience as a leading provider of SSL (secure sockets layer) certificates for web security, as part of this process. In addition, businesses agree to abide by a Registered Membership Pledge. Visitors can click on the GeoTrust Registered Member seal to gain additional information about the site, verify business contact information and review the GeoTrust Registered Membership Pledge.

Pricing and Availability

The GeoTrust Registered Member program, including the Verified Domain(TM) site seal, retails for US $49.00 and is available immediately through GeoTrust's worldwide reseller and hosting network, as well as GeoTrust's web site.

About GeoTrust, Inc.

GeoTrust is a leader in identity verification and trust services for e- business, and the fastest growing Certificate Authority, according to market research firm Netcraft. Its products include web security services for secure e-commerce transactions, identity verification, managed security services and TrustWatch (http://www.trustwatch.com), a free toolbar and search site that helps consumers recognize whether a site has been verified and is safe for the exchange of confidential information. With more than 100,000 companies worldwide using its technology for online security, GeoTrust has rapidly become the second largest digital certificate provider in the world. Visit http://www.geotrust.com for more information.

GeoTrust is a registered trademark and Verified Domain and GeoCode are trademarks of GeoTrust, Inc. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Media Contacts:
Joan Lockhart Liz Serotte
GeoTrust, Inc. Schwartz Communications, Inc.
781-292-4153 781-684-0770
jlockhart@geotrust.com geotrust@schwartz-pr.com

SOURCE GeoTrust, Inc.

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