Changes

==History==

==History==

* 1995 - [[RSA]] pioneered two-factor authentication and encryption, and Verisign was founded as a 'spin-off' of the [[RSA]] security technology to act as a [[Certificate Authority|certificate authority]].<ref>[http://www.rsa.com/press_release.aspx?id=10462 RSA and Verisign Team Up On Cloud-Based, Two-Factor Authentication Offering]. RSA. Published 2009 October 8.</ref>  

* '''1995''' - [[RSA]] pioneered two-factor authentication and encryption, and Verisign was founded as a 'spin-off' of the [[RSA]] security technology to act as a [[Certificate Authority|certificate authority]].<ref>[http://www.rsa.com/press_release.aspx?id=10462 RSA and Verisign Team Up On Cloud-Based, Two-Factor Authentication Offering]. RSA. Published 2009 October 8.</ref>  

* June 1995 - Verisign announced partnerships with [[Apple]] Computer Inc. and [[Netscape]] Communications Corp. to implement VeriSign's Digital IDs in their software products.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VeriSign+Inc.+Announces+Partnerships+with+Industry+Leaders%3b+Partners...-a017098458 VeriSign Inc. Announces Partnerships with Industry Leaders]. The Free Library. Published 1995 June 22.</ref>

* '''1995 June''' - Verisign announced partnerships with [[Apple]] Computer Inc. and [[Netscape]] Communications Corp. to implement VeriSign's Digital IDs in their software products.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VeriSign+Inc.+Announces+Partnerships+with+Industry+Leaders%3b+Partners...-a017098458 VeriSign Inc. Announces Partnerships with Industry Leaders]. The Free Library. Published 1995 June 22.</ref>

* August 1995 - Verisign appointed [[Stratton Sclavos]] President and CEO.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VeriSign+appoints+Stratton+D.+Sclavos+president+and+CEO%3B+Industry...-a017194995 VeriSign appoints Stratton D. Sclavos president and CEO]. The Free Library. Published 1995 August 17.</ref>

* '''1995 August''' - Verisign appointed [[Stratton Sclavos]] President and CEO.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VeriSign+appoints+Stratton+D.+Sclavos+president+and+CEO%3B+Industry...-a017194995 VeriSign appoints Stratton D. Sclavos president and CEO]. The Free Library. Published 1995 August 17.</ref>

* January 1996 - Verisign introduced the first online digital certificate issue system at the [[RSA]] Data Security Conference in San Francisco.<ref>[http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/29/VeriSign-Inc.html VeriSign, Inc. - Company Profile]. Reference for Business.</ref> Verisign also announced an agreement with [[Terisa Systems]] to develop a new and complete Internet security solutions.<ref> [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VERISIGN+AND+TERISA+SYSTEMS+PARTNER+TO+DELIVER+INTERNET+COMMERCE...-a017778731 Verisign and Turisa Systems to Partner]. The Free Library. Published 1996 January 16.</ref>

* '''1996 January''' - Verisign introduced the first online digital certificate issue system at the [[RSA]] Data Security Conference in San Francisco.<ref>[http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/29/VeriSign-Inc.html VeriSign, Inc. - Company Profile]. Reference for Business.</ref> Verisign also announced an agreement with [[Terisa Systems]] to develop a new and complete Internet security solutions.<ref> [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VERISIGN+AND+TERISA+SYSTEMS+PARTNER+TO+DELIVER+INTERNET+COMMERCE...-a017778731 Verisign and Turisa Systems to Partner]. The Free Library. Published 1996 January 16.</ref>

* January 1996 - Secure Email was launched. Verisign lunched Code Signing with [[Microsoft]] in March, 1996. In August, 1996, [[Microsoft]] and Verisign announced the availability of client authentication technology for [[Microsoft]] IE users by using Verisign Digital IDs. <ref> [http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1996/aug96/clientpr.mspx Microsoft and VeriSign Announce Availability of Digital IDs For Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 User]. Microsoft. Published 1996 August 13.</ref>  

* '''1996 January''' - Secure Email was launched. Verisign lunched Code Signing with [[Microsoft]] in March, 1996. In August, 1996, [[Microsoft]] and Verisign announced the availability of client authentication technology for [[Microsoft]] IE users by using Verisign Digital IDs. <ref> [http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1996/aug96/clientpr.mspx Microsoft and VeriSign Announce Availability of Digital IDs For Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 User]. Microsoft. Published 1996 August 13.</ref>  

* 1997 - the First Internet Commerce Transactions Linking Europe, Asia, and the United States was conducted by [[Verifone]] and Verisign.<ref> [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VeriFone+and+VeriSign+Conduct+First+Internet+Commerce+Transactions...-a019591264 VeriFone and VeriSign Conduct First Internet Commerce Transactions Linking Europe, Asia and the United States Through Global Security Standard]. The Free Library. Published 1997 July 18</ref> The United States [[DOC|Department of Commerce]] approved VeriSign's plans to issue new Verisign Global Server IDs in June 1997, which allowed 128-bit encryption.

* '''1997''' - the First Internet Commerce Transactions Linking Europe, Asia, and the United States was conducted by [[Verifone]] and Verisign.<ref> [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VeriFone+and+VeriSign+Conduct+First+Internet+Commerce+Transactions...-a019591264 VeriFone and VeriSign Conduct First Internet Commerce Transactions Linking Europe, Asia and the United States Through Global Security Standard]. The Free Library. Published 1997 July 18</ref> The United States [[DOC|Department of Commerce]] approved VeriSign's plans to issue new Verisign Global Server IDs in June 1997, which allowed 128-bit encryption.

* 1997 - VeriSign filed to raise $40 million for its public stock.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/VeriSign-files-to-launch-IPO/2100-1001_3-205752.html VeriSign files to launch IPO]. CNET. Published 2007 November 24.</ref> On January 10, 1998, VeriSign went public.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/VeriSign-Inc-Company-History.html History of VeriSign, Inc.]. Funding Universe.</ref>  

* '''1997''' - VeriSign filed to raise $40 million for its public stock.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/VeriSign-files-to-launch-IPO/2100-1001_3-205752.html VeriSign files to launch IPO]. CNET. Published 2007 November 24.</ref> On January 10, 1998, VeriSign went public.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/VeriSign-Inc-Company-History.html History of VeriSign, Inc.]. Funding Universe.</ref>  

* July 1997 - Verisign is acquired by [[SecureIT]], a network security service company.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/AirDefense+Strengthens+Management+Team+With+IT+Security+Veterans%3B...-a090833985 AirDefense Strengthens Management Team With IT Security Veterans]. The Free Library. Published 2002 August 26.</ref>  

* '''1997 July''' - Verisign is acquired by [[SecureIT]], a network security service company.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/AirDefense+Strengthens+Management+Team+With+IT+Security+Veterans%3B...-a090833985 AirDefense Strengthens Management Team With IT Security Veterans]. The Free Library. Published 2002 August 26.</ref>  

* October 1998 - Verisign released a fully integrated PKI platform, OnSite 4.0.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VeriSign+Expands+PKI+Training+and+Consulting+Services-a053079815 VeriSign Expands PKI Training and Consulting Services]. The Free Library. Published 1998 October 13.</ref>  

* '''1998 October''' - Verisign released a fully integrated PKI platform, OnSite 4.0.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VeriSign+Expands+PKI+Training+and+Consulting+Services-a053079815 VeriSign Expands PKI Training and Consulting Services]. The Free Library. Published 1998 October 13.</ref>  

* November 1998 - Verisign offered Y2K testing certs for free.

* '''1998 November''' - Verisign offered Y2K testing certs for free.

* December 1998 - Verisign introduced digital certificate service for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) servers and gateways.<ref>[http://www.wapforum.org/new/122199_verisign.htm Verisign Launches World's Most Comprehensive Digital Certificate Service for Wireless Web Servers]. WAP Forum. Published 1999 December 21.</ref>  

* '''1998 December''' - Verisign introduced digital certificate service for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) servers and gateways.<ref>[http://www.wapforum.org/new/122199_verisign.htm Verisign Launches World's Most Comprehensive Digital Certificate Service for Wireless Web Servers]. WAP Forum. Published 1999 December 21.</ref>  

* March 2000 - Verisign acquired [[Network Solutions]] for $21 billion USD, which was the largest Internet purchase to date.<ref>[http://about-networksolutions.com/corporate-history.php Corporate History]. Network Solutions.</ref><ref name="networksolutions">[http://money.cnn.com/2000/03/07/deals/verisign/ VeriSign buys domain firm]. CNN Money. Published 2000 March 7.</ref>

* '''2000 March''' - Verisign acquired [[Network Solutions]] for $21 billion USD, which was the largest Internet purchase to date.<ref>[http://about-networksolutions.com/corporate-history.php Corporate History]. Network Solutions.</ref><ref name="networksolutions">[http://money.cnn.com/2000/03/07/deals/verisign/ VeriSign buys domain firm]. CNN Money. Published 2000 March 7.</ref>

* November 2003 - Verisign sold [[Network Solutions]] to Pivotal Private Equity for about $100 million.<ref>[http://www.infoworld.com/t/networking/verisign-sells-network-solutions-282 VeriSign sells Network Solutions]. Info World. Published 2003 October 16.</ref>

* '''2003 November''' - Verisign sold [[Network Solutions]] to Pivotal Private Equity for about $100 million.<ref>[http://www.infoworld.com/t/networking/verisign-sells-network-solutions-282 VeriSign sells Network Solutions]. Info World. Published 2003 October 16.</ref>

* May 2005 - Verisign introduced a new 2048 bit VeriSign Class 3 Secure Server [[CA]] which was used to sign Secure Site Certificates obtained from their website for IIS web servers.<ref>[http://www.bennadel.com/blog/395-National-Do-Not-Call-Registry.htm National Do Not Call Registry]. Bennadel. Published 2006 November 10.</ref>

* '''2005 May''' - Verisign introduced a new 2048 bit VeriSign Class 3 Secure Server [[CA]] which was used to sign Secure Site Certificates obtained from their website for IIS web servers.<ref>[http://www.bennadel.com/blog/395-National-Do-Not-Call-Registry.htm National Do Not Call Registry]. Bennadel. Published 2006 November 10.</ref>

* November 2005 - Verisign sold their online payment service, used in conjunction with [[Paypal]], to [[eBay]] for approximately $370 million.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/eBay-spends-370-million-for-PayPal-rival/2100-1030_3-5892637.html eBay spends $370 million for PayPal rival]. CNET. Published 2005 October 10.</ref>

* '''2005 November''' - Verisign sold their online payment service, used in conjunction with [[Paypal]], to [[eBay]] for approximately $370 million.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/eBay-spends-370-million-for-PayPal-rival/2100-1030_3-5892637.html eBay spends $370 million for PayPal rival]. CNET. Published 2005 October 10.</ref>

* December 2006 - Verisign introduced Extended Validation [[SSL]] Certificates, standard practices for certificate validation and display approved by a group of leading [[SSL Certificate Authorities]] and browser vendors.<ref>[https://www.symantec.com/page.jsp?id=how-ssl-works How SSL Works]. Verisign.</ref>

* '''2006 December''' - Verisign introduced Extended Validation [[SSL]] Certificates, standard practices for certificate validation and display approved by a group of leading [[SSL Certificate Authorities]] and browser vendors.<ref>[https://www.symantec.com/page.jsp?id=how-ssl-works How SSL Works]. Verisign.</ref>

* November 2007 - Verisign announced plans to divest in its slower growing units and invest more in website naming and Internet security services. Projections suggested that these steps would cut Verisign's workforce in half.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1416428420071114 VeriSign to divest slower units, sees staff halved]. Reuters. Published 2007 November 14.</ref>  

* '''2007 November''' - Verisign announced plans to divest in its slower growing units and invest more in website naming and Internet security services. Projections suggested that these steps would cut Verisign's workforce in half.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1416428420071114 VeriSign to divest slower units, sees staff halved]. Reuters. Published 2007 November 14.</ref>  

* 2008 - Verisign sold its global Digital Brand Management Services business for US$50 million to [[MelbourneIT]].<ref>[http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/050108_Melbourne_IT_Buys_VeriSign_Assets Melbourne IT Buys VeriSign Assets]. The Whir. Published 2008 May 1.</ref>

* '''2008''' - Verisign sold its global Digital Brand Management Services business for US$50 million to [[MelbourneIT]].<ref>[http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/050108_Melbourne_IT_Buys_VeriSign_Assets Melbourne IT Buys VeriSign Assets]. The Whir. Published 2008 May 1.</ref>

* May 2009 - [[Stratton Sclavos]] stepped down from his positions as CEO of Verisign and [[William Roper Jr.]] was named to that position.<ref>[http://blog.domaintools.com/2007/05/stratton-sclavos-ceo-of-verisign-steps-down/ http://blog.domaintools.com/2007/05/stratton-sclavos-ceo-of-verisign-steps-down]. Domain Tools. Published 2007 May 29.</ref>. Later, [[Jim Bidzos]], the founder of Verisign was appointed as the CEO and President.<ref>[http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/security-bytes/jim-bidzos-back-as-chairman-of-verisign/ Jim Bidzos back as chairman of VeriSign]. IT Knowledge Exchange. Published 2007 August 22.</ref>

* '''2009 May''' - [[Stratton Sclavos]] stepped down from his positions as CEO of Verisign and [[William Roper Jr.]] was named to that position.<ref>[http://blog.domaintools.com/2007/05/stratton-sclavos-ceo-of-verisign-steps-down/ http://blog.domaintools.com/2007/05/stratton-sclavos-ceo-of-verisign-steps-down]. Domain Tools. Published 2007 May 29.</ref>. Later, [[Jim Bidzos]], the founder of Verisign was appointed as the CEO and President.<ref>[http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/security-bytes/jim-bidzos-back-as-chairman-of-verisign/ Jim Bidzos back as chairman of VeriSign]. IT Knowledge Exchange. Published 2007 August 22.</ref>

* May 2010 - Verisign sold the entire Authentication Services division to Symantec for 1.28 million.<ref name="reuters1"></ref>  Because of this deal, Symantec now has the right to Verisign's old logo and the "VeriSign Secured" tag for SSL certification.

* '''2010 May''' - Verisign sold the entire Authentication Services division to Symantec for 1.28 million.<ref name="reuters1"></ref>  Because of this deal, Symantec now has the right to Verisign's old logo and the "VeriSign Secured" tag for SSL certification.

* August 2010 - Verisign announced that it would move its headquarters from Mountain View, California to Reston, Virginia within the coming year. The move was explained given that 95% of the company's business is based on the East coast.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/08/verisign_shifts_headquarters_to_virginia.html Verisign Shifts Headquarters to Virginia]. Biz Journals. Published 2010 August 27.</ref>

* '''2010 August''' - Verisign announced that it would move its headquarters from Mountain View, California to Reston, Virginia within the coming year. The move was explained given that 95% of the company's business is based on the East coast.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/08/verisign_shifts_headquarters_to_virginia.html Verisign Shifts Headquarters to Virginia]. Biz Journals. Published 2010 August 27.</ref>

* July 2011 - [[Mark McLaughlin]] resigned from his position as CEO. He worked with Verisign since 2000, and had been CEO since 2009. Following Mr. McLaughlin's departure, Founder, Chairman, and former CEO [[Jim Bidzos]] resumed his duties as CEO.<ref>[http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/072911_VeriSign_CEO_Resigns_Founder_and_Chairman_Resumes_CEO_Duties Verisign CEO resigns.] The Wir. </ref> Another prominent executive, CFO Brian Robins, resigned in September, 2011. This happened as Verisign's stocks suffered and rumors of a buyout started circulating.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/verisign-cfo-quits-after-buyout-rumors/ VeriSign CFO quits]. Domain Incite. Published 2011 September 8.</ref>

* '''2011 July''' - [[Mark McLaughlin]] resigned from his position as CEO. He worked with Verisign since 2000, and had been CEO since 2009. Following Mr. McLaughlin's departure, Founder, Chairman, and former CEO [[Jim Bidzos]] resumed his duties as CEO.<ref>[http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/072911_VeriSign_CEO_Resigns_Founder_and_Chairman_Resumes_CEO_Duties Verisign CEO resigns.] The Wir. </ref> Another prominent executive, CFO Brian Robins, resigned in September, 2011. This happened as Verisign's stocks suffered and rumors of a buyout started circulating.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/verisign-cfo-quits-after-buyout-rumors/ VeriSign CFO quits]. Domain Incite. Published 2011 September 8.</ref>

* October 2011 - Verisign submitted its plan for a new Verisign Anti-Abuse Domain Use Policy for approval by ICANN. The policy would allow Verisign to scan domains in the .com, .net, and .name namespaces for malware, as well as to create a suspension system for sites knowingly hosting malware. These scans would be conducted quarterly, and a registrar would be able to opt out.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/11/verisign-proposes-takedown-procedures-and-malware-scanning-for-com/ VeriSign Proposes Takedown Procedures and Malware Scanning for .Com]. Domain Name Wire. Published 2011 October 11.</ref> The policy would also allow Verisign to shut down websites at the request of law enforcement officials, and possibly for trademark interests.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20111014_verisign_proposal_sudden_withdrawal_of_domain_anti_abuse_policy/ Of Canaries and Coal Mines: Verisign's Proposal and Sudden Withdrawal of Domain Anti-Abuse Policy]. CircleID. Published 2011 October 14.</ref> The policy was deemed controversial, with concern about government involvement in the Internet, as well as concern from domain registrars regarding the blurring of lines between registries and registrars.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/registrars-not-happy-with-verisign-abuse-plans/ Registrars not happy with VeriSign abuse plans]. Domain Incite. Published 2011 October 12.</ref> Two days after releasing the proposal, Verisign withdrew the request.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/13/breaking-verisign-withdraws-request-for-domain-takedown/ VeriSign Withdraws Request for Domain Takedown]. Domain Name Wire. Published 2011 October 13.</ref>

* '''2011 October''' - Verisign submitted its plan for a new Verisign Anti-Abuse Domain Use Policy for approval by ICANN. The policy would allow Verisign to scan domains in the .com, .net, and .name namespaces for malware, as well as to create a suspension system for sites knowingly hosting malware. These scans would be conducted quarterly, and a registrar would be able to opt out.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/11/verisign-proposes-takedown-procedures-and-malware-scanning-for-com/ VeriSign Proposes Takedown Procedures and Malware Scanning for .Com]. Domain Name Wire. Published 2011 October 11.</ref> The policy would also allow Verisign to shut down websites at the request of law enforcement officials, and possibly for trademark interests.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20111014_verisign_proposal_sudden_withdrawal_of_domain_anti_abuse_policy/ Of Canaries and Coal Mines: Verisign's Proposal and Sudden Withdrawal of Domain Anti-Abuse Policy]. CircleID. Published 2011 October 14.</ref> The policy was deemed controversial, with concern about government involvement in the Internet, as well as concern from domain registrars regarding the blurring of lines between registries and registrars.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/registrars-not-happy-with-verisign-abuse-plans/ Registrars not happy with VeriSign abuse plans]. Domain Incite. Published 2011 October 12.</ref> Two days after releasing the proposal, Verisign withdrew the request.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2011/10/13/breaking-verisign-withdraws-request-for-domain-takedown/ VeriSign Withdraws Request for Domain Takedown]. Domain Name Wire. Published 2011 October 13.</ref>

* October 2011 - Verisign's registry management for [[.com]] domains passed the 100 million mark.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/com-passed-100-million-mark-in-october/ Com Passed 100 million mark in October]. Domain Incite. Published 2012 February 2.</ref>

* '''2011 October''' - Verisign's registry management for [[.com]] domains passed the 100 million mark.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/com-passed-100-million-mark-in-october/ Com Passed 100 million mark in October]. Domain Incite. Published 2012 February 2.</ref>

* November 2011 - After the 2011 [[ICANN Board]] approval of a [[New gTLD Program|new gTLD program]], it was announced that Verisign would pursue new [[IDN]] translations of it popular [[.com]] namespace.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/afilias-to-apply-for-chinese-info/ Afilias to Apply for Chinese .info]. Domain Incite. Published 2011 November 8.</ref>

* '''2011 November''' - After the 2011 [[ICANN Board]] approval of a [[New gTLD Program|new gTLD program]], it was announced that Verisign would pursue new [[IDN]] translations of it popular [[.com]] namespace.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/afilias-to-apply-for-chinese-info/ Afilias to Apply for Chinese .info]. Domain Incite. Published 2011 November 8.</ref>

* March 2012 - ICANN renewed Verisign's contract to run the registry for the [[.com]] TLD.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-27mar12-en.htm .com Registry Agreement Renewal]. ICANN. Published 2012 March 27.</ref>

* '''2012 June''' - ICANN renewed Verisign's contract to run the registry for the [[.com]] TLD.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/9610-icann-gives-verisigns-com-contract-the-nod ICANN gives Verisign’s .com contract the nod], DomainIncite.com. Published 25 June 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.</ref>

==Acquisitions==

==Acquisitions==