SSL - Secure Socket Layer for the encryption of sensitive data as it is sent across a network, in this case the Internet. Most often used when collecting credit card information over the Internet. It is also referred to as secure shopping.

GeoTrust - www.geotrust.com. A relatively new company that offers SSL certificates for less money and less headache. *** We are not GeoTrust affiliates or have any financial gain to make by supporting their services.

Many of you are probably aware of the need for secure payment methods on your E-Commerce store or online subscription service. Early in the game you had two choices - Thawte (www.thawte.com) or Verisign (www.verisign.com). While these two companies did well selling secure web site services they did little over time to make their process easier or less expensive. Please welcome GeoTrust (www.geotrust.com) to the front of the line.

Obtaining a SSL certificate in the past has been a long winded process for such a simple task. To obtain a SSL certificate very little could be done electronically. Proof of business and ownership involved producing legal paper work or enrollment in the Dun and Bradstreet program (www.dandb.com) . First, there was a delay in producing such paperwork or enrollment in the Dun and Bradstreet program. Then you had to wait for your order to be processed. Obtaining SSL could take days.

GeoTrust has been successful in producing cost effective SSL certificates with fast turn around time. Better yet, you do not need all the paper work that other SSL providers require. GeoTrust confirms your organizations standing by analyzing your domain name records and using email addresses associated with your domain records and your hosting company to verify your standing as a legitimate business - be it DBA, L.L.C., Corporation, etc... They also use a phone automated system to verify the order and process your request. They even call you. It works like this. When you order a SSL certificate from their online system they will collect your phone number. When the process is final you are provided with an access code that appears on your screen. You must enter this access code over the phone to verify your order. When you are ready you click a button that tells the GeoTrust system to call you. Upon clicking that button the phone rings in about 10 seconds. You are then asked to enter the access code in to the system and state your name. Upon completion of this process your SSL certificate is generated. You usually receive it in a few minutes via email.

GeoTrust certificates are compatible with 98% of all web browsers on the market today which is the same thing as saying it will work everywhere. Nothing is 100%. Only in extreme circumstances may you have a problem. We have set-up SSL certificates for several clients with outstanding success. http://store.elecdata.com www.golfinvite.com www.airbagcenter.com www.softglove.com

The cost of GeoTrust SSL certificates can be found here. http://geotrust.com/webtrust/index.htm The quick SSL premium is the best fit for most business looking for a single SSL certificate. If you want to get more fancy you can choose the True Business ID which gives you a seal unique to your business instead of the standard GeoTrust SSL seal. *** The Quick SSL certificate gives you the same secure protection but it does not come with a seal of authenticity for you to display on your web site. ***

The next time you are looking for SSL give GeoTrust a try. You can start the enrollment process at the link below. http://geotrust.com/webtrust/index.htm