SiteSafe™ Extended Validation Certificates (EV Certificates) is a new level of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates introduced by Network Solutions. Applicants must meet the rigorous validation criteria that with increased confidence that the sites are valid, secure and safe for business transactions. For a limited time, 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, stated: “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.”

    The address bar of next-generation Web browsers (for example Microsoft’s Internet Explorer® 7) turns green when the user surfs to a Web site protected by an EV Certificate. 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.

    The EV Certificate application process requires applicants to provide, for validation, detailed information about their businesses, such as a Dun & 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.

You can find more information about at http://www.networksolutions.com.