Microsoft joins industry leaders in offering enhanced online SSL identity assurance verification tools on its IE platform

The ability for consumers to verify the authenticity of online merchants is gaining momentum as industry leaders such as Comodo and Microsoft offer solutions to combat online fraud

17th August 2005, New York – Comodo Inc. , a global leader in Identity Assurance Management solutions announced today that the advanced features now included in the forthcoming Internet Explorer 7.0 product will allow users to make informed trust decisions whilst transacting online. Aimed at enabling identity assurance in online E-Commerce, Microsoft's IE 7.0 Beta is currently being scrutinized by development groups worldwide. Microsoft has specifically enhanced the functionality available to users during a secure SSL enabled session. The new 'Security Status' bar offers consumers a simple and effective line of sight trust indicator in the form of a new padlock symbol. Those organizations choosing to use a High Assurance certificate on their web site will see tremendous benefits as consumers begin to utilize the functionality of the new padlock to reveal details about the organization or entity with whom they are transacting. Comodo Inc. as the world's 2nd largest High Assurance Certification Authority after VeriSign, has been actively working within the industry to deliver the technology backbone for this pervasive issue, essential to the long term success of e-commerce.

" With the release of this new tool, it is becoming more and more important for online merchants to have the right set of certifications that signal to consumers that their site can be trusted for transactions and purchases ", said Mr. Melih Abdulhayoghu, CEO and President of Comodo. " Many current practices, including low assurance SSL certificates, will simply not be suitable going forward to create trust online as online merchants recognize that to create trust online requires a combination of infrastructure and fraud prevention technologies to capture the largest share of online revenue. "

Microsoft has released a technical overview highlighting the reasons behind the enhancements:- " With the explosion of small- and home- based business Web sites selling goods that span the pricing spectrum, users are even more likely to encounter unknown entities asking for their financial information. These factors combine to create a situation ripe for malicious abuse. Internet Explorer 7 addresses this issue by providing users with clear and prominent visual cues to the safety and trustworthiness of a Web site. With the assistance of Internet Explorer 7 to help identify legitimate Web sites, users can more confidently browse and shop anywhere on the Internet. " ('Technology Overview: Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Beta 1 for Windows VistaT and Windows XP SP2' – Published 7/27/2005)

About Comodo

Comodo is a leading global provider of security, authentication and assurance services for the Internet. Today, more than 150,000 customers in over 100 countries rely on Comodo to create trust in online transactions through distinct solutions that address the digital E-Commerce and infrastructure needs of enterprises. Powered by Comodo's Digital Trust Lab (DTL), Comodo is helping enterprises around the world improve customer relationships, enhance customer trust and create efficiencies across their digital E-Commerce operations. Comodo's industry leading solutions include integrated Web Hosting Management Solutions, Infrastructure Services , digital E-Commerce services, Digital Certificate , Identity Assurance , customer privacy and vulnerability management solutions. For more information, visit Comodo – Creating Trust Online® – Comodo.com .

Comodo can be reached on + 1.888.266.6361 or + 1.703.581.6361