Developed in partnership with leading browser developers, new type of SSL certificates will combat phishing and online fraud.

GeoTrust, Inc., a provider of identity verification, credentialing and validation solutions, today announced support for new High Assurance SSL certificates.

The new High Assurance SSL certificate standard, which is being defined by leading browser companies including Microsoft, Mozilla and
Opera, in partnership with Certificate Authorities including GeoTrust and VeriSign, as well as the American Bar Association Information Security Committee, will entail a higher level of business verification than any Certificate Authority's current vetting methods.

Additionally, High Assurance SSL certificate identity information will be clearly displayed in the new-generation browsers, so that consumers will easily be able to discern that they are indeed at the site they think they are, and not a fraudulent version of a popular website.

Key to the new High Assurance certificates is a standardized
process across Certificate Authorities for verifying information that will include: verifying the organization's identity; verifying that the would-be purchaser has the legal authority to make the SSL certificate request for that organizational entity; and confirming that the entity is a legitimate business, not a shell or false front entity, claims the company.

"We took a leading role in this initiative, which has brought together the industry's major browser developers and Certificate Authorities, as well as companies such as RSA Security and Identrus, because we know that it's critically important to find new ways to enhance online trust," stated Neal Creighton, CEO, GeoTrust.