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Press Release |
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Microsoft Selects VeriSign to Provide Secure Log-In for Microsoft HealthVault Users
VeriSign Combines the Convenience of OpenID with the Security of the
VIP Network
London, UK – June 25, 2008 – VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN),
the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure services for the networked
world, today announced that it has been selected by Microsoft® as an
OpenID provider for users of HealthVault™, a free service that enables
consumers to store and manage their health information online. HealthVault’s
acceptance of VeriSign OpenIDs will begin later this week.
VeriSign combines the convenience of OpenID single
sign-on with the security of strong authentication via VeriSign
Identity Protection (VIP) credentials. Acceptance of VeriSign’s
OpenIDs secured by the VeriSign Identity Protection Service gives consumers
another choice when signing into Microsoft HealthVault to help safeguard
their personal health information. Microsoft HealthVault members who
have activated their VIP credential on their VeriSign OpenID can also
utilize the same VIP credential on eBay, PayPal, AOL and a number of
other sites that participate in the VeriSign Identity Protection Network.
The need for securing online health records is growing.
Some 47 million Americans are uninsured , a situation that has spawned
a brisk black market for health insurance policy information stolen
from consumers and sold the same way Social Security Numbers and credit
card numbers are stolen and sold. By securing their OpenID log-ins with
VIP credentials, HealthVault members are making it harder for identity
thieves to illegally access sensitive medical and insurance data.
“HealthVault is about empowering people to take control
of their personal health information, and that means making their Web
experience easier while also helping them safeguard their privacy,”
said George Scriban, senior product manager, Microsoft Health Solutions
Group. “That’s why we’re happy to give our users the option of using
a VeriSign OpenID with a VIP credential.”
When a user logs into their HealthVault record using
VeriSign OpenID secured with a VIP credential, they will be prompted
for their OpenID user name and password, and then asked for a one-time-password
(OTP) generated by their VIP credential. The process makes it extremely
difficult for fraudsters to access accounts illegally because it combines
something users know (user name/password), with something they have
(a VIP credential). Moreover, as the same credential can be used by
other members of the VIP network, users have the convenience of utilizing
these credentials to secure their identities across multiple Web sites.
“Moving health information online creates tremendous
convenience for consumers since they will now be able to access critical
healthcare information that has traditionally been physically housed
in one place and controlled by outside parties,” said Fran Rosch, vice
president, Identity and Authentication Services at VeriSign. “However,
just as we’ve seen in online banking, providing convenience to consumers
creates potential opportunities for fraudsters.
By accepting OpenIDs secured with our VIP user credentials,
Microsoft HealthVault can offer an online healthcare solution that balances
convenient access with a secure experience.”
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) is the trusted provider of Internet infrastructure
services for the networked world. Billions of times each day, VeriSign
helps companies and consumers all over the world engage in communications
and commerce with confidence. Additional news and information about
the company is available at www.verisign.com.
Contacts
Media relations: Victoria Henry, vhenry@verisign.com,
+44 20 8600 0723
Investor Relations: Nancy Fazioli, ir@verisign.com
, 650-426-5146
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 products or services, including VIP and OpenID; 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, 2007 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.
©2008 VeriSign, Inc.
All rights reserved. VeriSign, the VeriSign logo, the checkmark circle,
and other trademarks, service marks, and designs are registered or unregistered
trademarks of VeriSign, Inc., and its subsidiaries in the United States
and in foreign countries. All other trademarks are property of their
respective owners.
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