TRUSTe and GeoTrust Partner to Promote Safer Online Transactions

TRUSTe (www.truste.org), an online privacy certification and seal program and GeoTrust, Inc., a leader in identity and security solutions for e-business, today announced that they will work together with the goal of educating consumers to more easily recognize trusted e-commerce sites.

"Internet phishing and fraud are rapidly undermining consumer confidence to the detriment of legitimate online businesses," said David Currie, vice president of business development at TRUSTe.

GeoTrust will also be incorporating TRUSTe members' site seal information into its free TrustWatch identity verification toolbar and search site. The partnership illustrates TRUSTe's and GeoTrust's continued commitment to build trust between consumers and businesses in the evolving networked world.

"TRUSTe and GeoTrust have become two of the most recognizable brands on the Internet, and convey the highest level of consumer confidence," said Chris Bailey, GeoTrust's chief technology officer.

The TRUSTe seal, displayed on leading e-commerce sites, indicates to consumers that the site adheres to strict privacy standards. TrustWatch,™ a free toolbar and search site from GeoTrust, is used to verify the identity and security of websites requesting confidential information to help consumers guard against fraudulent or unsecured transactions.

TRUSTe privacy seal data has been incorporated into the TrustWatch site verification ratings. With one click in the TrustWatch toolbar, consumers will be able to obtain additional identity, security and privacy information for sites they are visiting, or be warned that the site is not able to be deemed trustworthy.