SSL Security and Extended Validation

For businesses with a high profile brand, using Extended Validation SSL is an effective defence against phishing scams. Customers will learn to look for the green bar before entering sensitive information online.

• 83% of UK online shoppers feel more confident about entering personal information on sites using security indicators and trust marks, such as the VeriSign Secured Seal. (i)
• Industry body APACs reported in October 2008 that Internet shoppers are more at risk than ever of falling victim to fraudsters, and that online fraud had risen by 185% in the first six months of 2008 because of an increase in phishing attacks and scams. (ii)
• 78% of the British population worries about becoming a victim of identity theft. (ii)
• 84% of UK online shoppers are familiar with Web site security features such as https, the padlock symbol, the green address bar, and trust marks. (i)
• (Sources: (i) 2009 Synovate/GMI study, (ii) YouGov Research 2008)

Phishing scams and online fraud have created doubt and concern among online shoppers. To regain their trust, site owners need an easy, reliable way to show customers that their transactions are secure and they are who they say they are. Security vendors and Internet browsers have combined forces to establish the Extended Validation standard for SSL Certificates.

When shoppers visit a Web site secured with an Extended Validation SSL Certificate, high-security browsers will trigger the address bar to turn green and display the name of the organisation listed in the certificate as well as the certificate’s security vendor. The browser and the security vendor control the display, making it difficult for phishers and counterfeiters to hijack your brand and your customers.

81% of UK online shoppers who have abandoned a shopping cart would have continued the transaction if a trust mark such as the VeriSign Secured Seal had been present. Because visitors using high-security browsers will see the name of your Extended Validation SSL provider in the security status bar, it is more important than ever to choose VeriSign, the Web’s most trusted security provider.

The Extended Validation Standard defines the criteria for certificate validation and the method of display. To enable the heightened security features in high-security browsers, a Certificate Authority (CA) must adopt the high-assurance certificate validation standard and pass an audit. The validation criteria requires the CA to authenticate the requestor’s domain ownership, organisational identity and employment or authority to request the certificate prior to issuance of the certificate. Buy VeriSign® Secure Site Pro with EV or VeriSign® Secure Site with EV SSL Certificates.