Why upgrade to Extended Validation SSL?

Maximize online sales and minimize the effect of phishing attacks with the highest standard of SSL authentication. Only Extended Validation SSL Certificates trigger the Internet Explorer 7.0 Web browser to prominently display the green address and security bars in the browser window. The security bar also displays your organization name and the trusted VeriSign brand to help assure your customers they are on the Web site they intend to be and that their Web transactions are secure.

• Web site visitors are learning to look for the green address bar in their Web browsers while shopping online. The green address bar makes it easier than ever for your customers to see that their transactions are secure and you are who you say you are.
• VeriSign Extended Validation SSL Certificates display the green address bar along with your organization's name and identifies VeriSign as the Certificate Authority, so that site visitors can be confident in transacting with your organization online.
• Because site visitors now see the SSL provider you have chosen to protect their sensitive online transactions, it is more important than ever to show your association with the most preferred SSL provider: VeriSign.

Only Extended Validation SSL Certificates trigger the green address bar. The security status bar toggles between your organization name ... ... and the CA that performed your Extended Validation authentication.

The Internet has matured from a phenomenon to a transformational infrastructure that is changing our society. Consumers can conduct business from virtually anywhere, and they increasingly expect retailers—regardless of their size or the products they sell—to provide access to customer services, content, and commerce anytime, from any device. However, as retailers open and extend their channels to accommodate the demands of this “Any Era,” threats and vulnerabilities increase. These threats target the key assets of retail business: consumers, brands, Web sites, and internal networks. Such attacks not only jeopardize a company’s financial standing, reputation, and regulatory compliance; they also undermine their consumers’ confidence. VeriSign offers a layered, systematic approach to help protect sensitive data, mitigate threats to digital assets, and address compliance in the Any Era. Complementary security layers fortify each other to create a solution that is stronger than the sum of its parts and delivers greater value to consumers. Using this approach, retailers can extend reach, reduce costs, and increase revenue—while delivering rich, real-time experiences that enhance sales and increase customer loyalty.

Enterprises around the world trust VeriSign to secure their digital assets. Every day we provide security for over 3000 enterprises in over 60 countries. We provide SSL to 93% of the Fortune 500. And we secure over 500,000 Web sites.

E-Commerce, Trust, and SSL

Gaining the trust of online customers is vital for the success of e-commerce. What concerns online shoppers when making an online purchase?

• 87% of online shoppers are concerned about credit card fraud
• 85% of online shoppers are concerned about identity theft
• 83% of online shoppers are concerned about sharing personal information
• 77% of online shoppers are concerned about spyware

Shoppers Abandon Carts and Buy Offline

Fraud and identity theft have created a chilling effect on e-commerce. According to the VeriSign Secured Seal Research Review, 65% of online consumers shop only at sites they know and trust, and 65% of online shoppers have abandoned a shopping cart/basket or failed to complete an online purchase due to security concerns. Forrester Research found that 24% of online consumers stopped purchasing online during the 2005 holiday season due to security concerns.

What Customers Want to See

Web site visitors have learned to look for the closed padlock and “https” in the URL address. To guard against imposter Web sites and concerns about malicious programs, visitors check trust marks that link to authenticated information about the certificate owner. 79% of U.S. online shoppers are familiar with the VeriSign Secured Seal, more than any other mark (VeriSign Secured Seal Research Review). The latest Web browsers support Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates and display a green address bar when an authenticated certificate is detected.

How to Secure Your Customer's Trust

Make sure your Web site earns its full potential by increasing customer confidence at transaction time.

Get the Green Address Bar
Problem	Web site visitors need an easy way to see that their transactions will be protected and to confirm the identity of the Web site owner.
Solution	Only SSL Certificates with Extended Validation (EV) will trigger new high-security browsers to display a green address bar next to your name and the name of your SSL provider. Because visitors will see the name of your SSL provider in the security status bar, it is more important than ever to choose VeriSign, the Web's most trusted security provider. All VeriSign EV SSL Certificates come with EV Upgrader™ ($300 value), the first ever technology that automatically enables all visiting Windows XP clients to experience these interface enhancements with your site. Without EV Upgrader, only Windows Vista clients will see the green address bar on your site.

Offer the Strongest SSL Encryption
Problem	Millions of people use older computer systems that are incapable of connecting at strong encryption levels.
Solution	Only SSL Certificates with Extended Validation (EV) will trigger new high-security browsers to display a green address bar next to your name and the name of your SSL provider. Because visitors will see the name of your SSL provider in the security status bar, it is more important than ever to choose VeriSign, the Web's most trusted security provider. All VeriSign EV SSL Certificates come with EV Upgrader™ ($300 value), the first ever technology that automatically enables all visiting Windows XP clients to experience these interface enhancements with your site. Without EV Upgrader, only Windows Vista clients will see the green address bar on your site.

Display the Most Trusted Mark on the Internet
Problem	Online shoppers are concerned about the security of their personal information.
Solution	After securing your Web site with a VeriSign SSL Certificate, download the VeriSign Secured Seal and install it on your home and buy pages. Customers not only see the trust mark, they can click the seal and verify your site in real time.