This is a copy of the C2Net Press Release from 03 Jun 1999

Newbury, United Kingdom. June 3, 1999 - C2Net Europe Ltd. and VeriSign, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Department of Commerce has approved the eligibility of Stronghold servers to deliver 128bit encryption when connecting to 40bit export crippled browsers through VeriSign's Global server ID programme. Based on Apache, C2Net's Stronghold is a secure SSL Web server for Unix which allows you to give your web site full-strength, 128-bit encryption. With VeriSign's Global Server IDs, not only U.S.-based companies using Stronghold Servers, but also international banks, financial institutions, healthcare organisations, and insurance companies outside the USA and Canada will now have a wider choice of 128-bit encryption solutions for communication and commerce over open networks.

With this new agreement, the VeriSign root key - which is embedded in all major browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer (versions 4.0 and above) - will be able to verify that the Stronghold Server being accessed has been issued a Global Server ID. If the browser sees such an ID, it will initiate a session at a stronger level of encryption - without key escrow. This means that all export standard browsers restricted by U.S. Export Laws to operate at weaker 40bit encryption can use full strength 128-bit security. This makes it much easier, for example, for a company in Europe with operations, suppliers and partners in the USA to use strong encryption for their global communications.

"C2Net is committed to providing our customers with unparalleled security for global communications and commerce," said Neil Castle, Sales and Marketing Manager of C2Net Europe Ltd. "According to Netcraft, Stronghold is the number one UNIX 128bit commercial secure server today. Adding VeriSign's proven expertise in the field of Global Server Certificates to this already popular server choice will further encourage confidence in the Internet for global e-commerce applications." Referring to C2Net's successful relationship with VeriSign, he went on to say "Stronghold was the first Apache based server approved by VeriSign for use with their Secure Server IDs. Continuing our longstanding partnership, we are delighted that Stronghold has been approved as the first and currently the only Apache based server offering Global Server IDs."

"VeriSign is proud to add to the security C2Net Stronghold customers already enjoy through the most advanced encryption legally available from using Global Server IDs," said Richard Yanowitch, Executive Vice President of VeriSign.

Global server IDs are available immediately at http://www.verisign.com/server/index.html as part of VeriSign's Global Site Services, which provide customers with a comprehensive solution for Web site security and quality-of-service management. Global Server IDs start at $895 and include a 10-city site metric, $100K in warranty coverage, 2-day delivery guarantee, and $200 off Web security training.

A copy of "Digital Certificates" and "Linux for Apache" worth $50 is available for Stronghold customers purchasing a Global Site Service before August 1st, 1999. VeriSign Global Server IDs are supported by the latest release of C2Net Stronghold Server, version 2.4.2, with no special software required.

C2Net Software, Inc. (http://www.c2.net/) is the leading provider of uncompromised network security software. C2Net products are developed through its international offshore development programs, allowing the company to offer uncrippled strong cryptography solutions to customers worldwide. The company's Stronghold secure web server is currently the number one full-strength commercial secure web server for Unix platforms worldwide, according to a secure web server survey by Netcraft, Ltd. (http://www.netcraft.com/).

VeriSign, Inc. is the leading provider of Internet trust services and digital certificate solutions needed by Web sites, enterprises, electronic commerce service providers and individuals to conduct trusted and secure electronic commerce and communications over IP networks. VeriSign's Digital Certificate services for Web sites and consumers are available through the Company's Web site at http://www.verisign.com/. The Company's Digital Certificate services for enterprises and electronic commerce service providers are available through regional account representatives, resellers, and VeriSign affiliates worldwide.

C2Net Stronghold Webserver are trademarks of C2Net Software Inc. All rights reserved. VeriSign is a registered trademark exclusively licensed to VeriSign, Inc. Digital ID and Digital ID Center are service marks of VeriSign, Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.