AOTA Recognizes VeriSign as the 2008 Online Safety Leadership Award Winner
Award Honors Company for Best Practices Promoting Online Consumer Safety & Brand Protection

SEATTLE, WA – June 5, 2008 – Today, the Authentication and Online Trust Alliance (AOTA) announced that VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), the leading provider of digital infrastructure for the networked world, is the winner of the 2008 Online Safety Leadership Award. Now in its second year, this award recognizes those companies and organizations that demonstrate leadership in improving and enhancing online safety and aid in the online trust ecosystem. The AOTA represents over one million businesses and 500 million online users worldwide; VeriSign received the award during the closing session of the 2008 AOTA Summit in Seattle.

“This award recognizes the very best in public-private partnership and industry-business practices geared toward ensuring a safe and confident online experience,” said Craig Spiezle, chairman and founder of AOTA. “It is essential that every member in the online ecosystem adhere to best practices, and companies like VeriSign, as well as the other finalists, are leading the charge in protecting consumers and businesses online.”

After a comprehensive review by the award review committee, VeriSign was selected as the overall winner as well as five additional companies where singled out as finalists on their individual merit. The 2008 finalists include Campaigner, Goodmail Systems, Overstock.com, Return Path and UnsubCentral. Each demonstrated outstanding commitment to online trust, protection of email and collaboration. VeriSign was selected for its commitment to collaboration with both competitive and the industry as well as its creative consumer campaign featuring “Liberty” the cart whisperer.  Other key factors included quantifiable results on the business and consumer value, its commitment to user and employee education, and dedication to working with government and law enforcement.

"We are pleased to receive the AOTA's Online Safety Leadership Award in honor of our commitment to preserving and improving online safety," said Chris Babel, senior vice president, SSL, VeriSign. "VeriSign recognizes that a secure Internet is essential to the success of online commerce, and we have taken active roles to further the innovation and adoption of technologies such as EV SSL, which enhances trust online. We have also been committed to educating end-users and business decision makers about online safety using various methods including aggressive press outreach, customer and partner outreach, and viral consumer marketing campaigns. We look forward to further collaboration with the AOTA to continue to make the Internet safer for all consumers and businesses.”

“VeriSign, along with the finalists, set the bar for online trust. They understand the importance of creating a more secure cyber world today and in the future,” said Erin Ickes, Chair of the 2008 Awards Committee and Director of Marketing for Message Systems. “As worldwide leaders and industry risk-takers, they have taken on the task of moving Internet security forward.”

Multiple winners were announced in the 2007 inaugural awards program:  Bank of America, Alt-N, Bell Canada, Microsoft, PayPal and TRUSTe. The AOTA Summit is a multi-day, intensive program where public and private industry leaders share ways to improve and protect the Internet and online communications from the onslaught of malicious threats. For more information on the Authentication and Online Trust Alliance and the recent Summit, visit www.aotalliance.org.

About The Authentication and Online Trust Alliance (AOTA):
Founded in October 2004, the mission of AOTA is to foster the elimination of email and Internet fraud, abuse and data intrusions, thereby enhancing online trust, confidence and online protection of businesses and consumers. The goals include but are not limited to facilitating best practices, data sharing, the deployment and implementation of authentication, identity and reputation solutions as well as domain defense strategies. AOTA represents over one million businesses and 500 million users worldwide, with members in Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Romania, Singapore and the United States. AOTA is a 501c6 IRS-approved non-profit, governed by a Board and Steering Committee including the Bank of America, BoxSentry, Datran Media, Epsilon, Goodmail Systems, Habeas, Iconix, Internet Identity, IronPort (a division of Cisco Systems), MarkMonitor, Message Systems, Microsoft Corporation, MX Logic, Return Path, Symantec Corporation and VeriSign. 

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