AOTA Endorses Enhanced Security Scheme

The Authentication and Online Trust Alliance announced today it is endorsing so-called Extended Validation SSL certificates, a security scheme the group says will help validate Web site owner identities and protect consumers from online fraud.

The group said thieves have been able to exploit domain misspellings to get traditional Secure Socket Layer security certificates and encrypt data to make it appear as if they’re legitimate.

“EV certificates fill the void left in SSL certification by validating that the endpoint is that which it claims to be,” said the group in a release. “Companies and individuals who adopt EV certificates benefit from a higher level of authentication and increased consumer confidence in online commercial transactions.”