Jan 29, 2009 : Name.com Joins VeriSign Network

📅 January 29, 2009 - Domain registrar Name.com (name.com) announced on Thursday it is offering its customers the ability to use strong, two-factor authentication from Internet infrastructure services provider VeriSign (verisign.com).

By joining the VeriSign Identity Protection Network, Name.com will be providing its customers with safeguards that expand on standard log-in methods.

Two-factor authentication combines the regular username and password log-in with a VIP security credential that generates a one-time password for every sign-on.

During an online session, this one-time password is entered into the Name.com account log-in page, along with the user's account name and password, where Name.com then verifies the OTP and matches it to the account holder.

With the continuing rise in hacking activity and online identity theft, the value-added service is more relevant than ever.

Earlier this week, job search website Monster Worldwide alerted its users to change their passwords after attackers hacked into its database and stole the email addresses, names and phone numbers of Monster users.

"Domain names are digital brands, and we bear huge responsibility to ensure that their clients have access to the most advanced security safeguards available," says Bill Mushkin, CEO and founder at Name.com. "Offering VIP credentials is an important part of meeting that obligation, and it's one that VeriSign has helped us meet quickly and easily. The globally trusted VeriSign brand will reassure our customers, while membership in the VIP Network offers them convenient access to strong authentication on many websites the world over."

The VIP Network enables consumers to use a single security device to authenticate themselves across any VIP-enabled website, which means that Name.com-issued credentials can be used not only on the Name.com login portal but also on any site that is part of the VIP Network.

For domain name service providers and other businesses, joining the VIP Network helps distribute the costs of stronger authentication.

As an ICANN-accredited domain registrar, Name.com provides domain name registration and renewal by offering retail, aftermarket and expiring names services.

Last week, VeriSign outbidded a subsidiary of Research in Motion to acquire security provider Certicom for $73 million

.