Randall Schultz

MISBD 397A

Digital Certificates

Thursday, 10-11

 

 

 

 

 

Digital certificates are provided for a fee by trusted providers to the owners of websites for the purpose of providing website visitors with proof that the website is actually operated by the company that it claims to represent and to also verify that transactions conducted on the site will be free from outside interception.        

Equifax offers two main types of digital certificates, E-business ID and Quick SSL Certificates.  Equifax, based in Atlanta, Georgia, originally was formed many years ago to provide consumers with financial information about companies.   E-business ID comes with another Equifax service known as True Site Identity service included for $119 for one year.  The company normally charges $99 for the True Site identity service when purchased separately.  True Site Identity consists of an Equifax logo link that is placed on your web page as a means for visitors verify the origin of your organization by clicking on the link to Equifax.  The icon contains special time and date messages that will not work correctly if someone tries to steal the image and use it on a site without permission from Equifax.  Equifax claims that e-business id will support 128 bit SSL transactions.  Your organization must fax an InterNIC number and Dunn and Bradstreet information to Equifax before they will sign you up for the certificate.

            Equifax Quick SSL also offers 128 bit SSL transactions at an annual fee of $99.  This service will make the lock symbol icon on Explorer and Netscape active on the computer screen and will provide secure transfers for website customers.  Quick SSL does not include the True Site identity service.

            Thawte is another provider of digital certificates that was founded primarily to provide security for any sensitive transfers of information on the Internet.  Unlike Equifax, they do not have other backgrounds in providing financial information about organizations.  Thawte offers a service known as 128 bit Supercert for $300 per year.  Just like Equifax, Thawte also offers a seal style icon for your web page verifying that transactions on the site are secure with a link to their site for further proof that the page is legitimate.  The major advantage offered by Thawte is the ability for website owners to sign up for two years of certification at a set price with sign up requirements and verification of company website identity very similar to Equifax.  The 128-bit Thawte system seems to be very similar to the lower priced systems offered by Equifax.

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

 

GeoTrust Digital Certificates, [http://www.equifaxsecure.com/digitalcertificates/dc_webservcert.html], October 10, 2001.

 

 

Digital Certificate Center, [http://www.thawte.com/getinfo/products/supercert/buy.html], October 10, 2001.