Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Wed, October 21, 2009 VeriSign, Inc.: Avoiding Identity Theft and Online Scams Just Got Easier
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwire - October 21, 2009) - Every day, identity thieves are getting smarter at tricking people into revealing their account numbers, passwords, Social Security Numbers and financial information. Last year, they racked up [ 9.9 million fraud victims who lost an average of $4,849 in each incident ].* And potential victims are not always Internet novices, as recently evidenced by FBI Director Robert Mueller who admittedly [ almost fell victim ] to a phishing site that posed as his bank.**
Working within highly organized e-fraud cartels, today's criminals are outwitting Web-savvy consumers by luring them to Web pages that look real but aren't. They're phishing sites, clever copies of the real thing designed to capture sensitive personal data to be used maliciously by the phisher or sold to the highest bidder on the global black market.
But armed with the right information, consumers can protect themselves -- and their valuable personal information.
That information is freely available on [ TrustTheCheck.com ], a Web site devoted to helping consumers keep safe as they surf the Web. Created by [ VeriSign, Inc. ] (
In addition to drawing on VeriSign's vast knowledge base on online trust, TrustTheCheck.com makes information accessible to you from a variety of independent sources, including the Federal Trade Commission, Parent-Teacher Associations, and many others. In addition to guidance on securing personal information, the site allows visitors to [ Take the Fake Site Challenge ], an eye-opening experience that reveals just how similar many fraudulent sites are to the real thing.
The site also allows visitors to:
-- Take a crash course on [ staying safe ] on the Web.
-- [ Hear real stories ] and flip through videos of real people reliving their own Web security nightmares.
-- [ Ask the community ] questions about identity protection, viruses and worms, encryption and more. Visitors can also use the community forum to report a clever phishing email or online scam.
-- [ Learn what to look for ] during your online transactions by getting to know the Check, a globally recognizable symbol of trust.
-- [ Listen to a video ] coach provide simple steps to improve privacy on social media sites like Facebook or LinkedIn.
TrustTheCheck.com's Top 10
Visitors to TrustTheCheck.com seek out information about all kinds of Web security topics, from keeping kids safe online to understanding the risks of social networks. Here are the 10 most popular:
1. [ Phishing ]
2. [ Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) ]
3. [ https ]
4. [ Trusted sites ]
5. [ Two-factor authentication ]
6. [ Fraudulent sites ]
7. [ Security risks ]
8. [ Identity protection ]
9. [ Web browser security ]
10. [ Keeping kids safe online ]
TrustTheCheck.com features a range of other related resources, including desktop widgets, a dictionary of security terms and a primer for businesses looking to build trust online.
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (
* -- "2009 Identity Fraud Survey Report," Javelin Strategy & Research, Feb. 2, 2009; accessed at[ http://www.javelinstrategy.com/2009/02/09/latest-javelin-research-shows-identity-fraud-increased-22-percent-affecting-nearly-ten-million-americans-but-consumer-costs-fell-sharply-by-31-percent/ ] on Sept. 1, 2009
** -- "FBI Chief Almost Falls For Phishing Scheme, Wife Bans Him From Online Banking," Daily Tech, Oct. 8, 2009; accessed at[ http://www.dailytech.com/FBI+Chief+Almost+Falls+For+Phishing+Scheme+Wife+Bans+Him+From+Online+Banking/article16456c.htm ] on Oct. 19, 2009
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 new products or services, including VeriSign SSL, EV SSL and Identity Protection services; 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, 2008 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.
©2009 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.
