Small, Easy to Download Upgrade Provides Enhanced Security for Online
Shopping, Banking, Trading and Email to Customers in the U.S. and Canada
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Netscape Communications, a
subsidiary of America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), today announced that users of
Netscape(R) Communicator 4.61 client software can upgrade their browser's
encryption for enhanced security for shopping and e-commerce on the Internet.
Previously, customers would have to download a full version of the browser to
upgrade to US-grade encryption; now customers can quickly upgrade by
downloading a small file (36KB) from the Netscape(R)
SmartUpdate service ( http://home.netscape.com/smartupdate ). Users can
upgrade their browsers from international-grade encryption (56-bit) to
US-grade encryption (128-bit) in seconds, making online shopping a safer
experience and allowing for online banking and bill paying, as many Web sites
require 128-bit encryption. Upgrading to 128-bit security also allows
Netscape Communicator users to improve the security of their encrypted mails.
"By providing this easy to install security upgrade for Netscape
Communicator, Netscape is helping to grow e-commerce and accelerate the use
and acceptance of online shopping, banking and trading," said Bob Lisbonne,
senior vice president of client products at Netscape. "This makes it easier
than ever for Netscape Communicator users to enjoy a higher level of online
security and ultimately increases our customers' confidence in e-commerce."
According to recent studies by Jupiter Research and others, security
remains the number one concern when conducting transactions over the Internet.
With this upgrade, Netscape intends to reduce this barrier, fueling the growth
of e-commerce by offering a browser capable of handling secure 128-bit
transactions. Netscape recommends that shopping, financial and other
e-commerce sites that encourage users to upgrade to strong encryption should
point their customers to this simple process.
128-bit encryption provides a significantly greater amount of
cryptographic protection than 56-bit encryption. With 56-bit encryption, there
are billions of possible keys to decipher the coded information, and only one
of them works. Someone intercepting the information would have to find the
right key -- a nearly impossible task. With 128-bit encryption, there are
4.7 billion trillion times as many keys as with 56-bit encryption.
Netscape is a leading provider of software and services for businesses
that want to transform the way they create and keep customers in the emerging
Net Economy. Recently acquired by America Online, Inc., Netscape is based in
Mountain View, California.
Additional information on Netscape is available on the Internet at
http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling
corporate sales at 650-937-2555.
NOTE: Netscape, Netscape Navigator and the Communicator logos are
registered trademarks of Netscape in the United States and other countries.
Other Netscape logos, product names, and service names are also trademarks of
Netscape Communications, which may be registered in other countries. Other
product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Netscape Communications Corporation
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Related links:
http://home.netscape.com
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http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/585525.html or fax,
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CONTACT:
Erin Schlough of Netscape Communications,
650-937-2691, or erin@netscape.com
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