Comodo, a leading certificate authority and Internet security company, has announced a partnership with Rusonyx, one of Russia's leading Web hosting service providers, to provide code signing certificates that verify the identity of the publisher and assure the content integrity of downloadable code. With code signing certificates, users are protected from maliciously modified code and from hackers that corrupt the code during the download process, as these tactics are often used to steal sensitive user information.

The Internet has become the main distribution channel for software vendors around the world, according to COMODO. At the same time, the dangers involved in downloading a product from the Internet have increased. When a user downloads a product via the Internet, they often risk acquiring malicious code that includes spyware, viruses, and Trojans. These programs can damage valid programs, destroy data, and allow hackers access to a user's personal information.

Software developers now can obtain from Rusonyx a code signing certificate for their executable code after going through a stringent application and verification process designed by Comodo. Code signing certificates provide key features and include:

·        Digitally signed--32-bit or 64-bit portable executable (.exe, .ocx, .dll or other) or .cab files

·        Authenticity assurance-the certificate assures users that they know from where the code came

·        Ensures integrity--verifies that code has not been tampered with since publication

·        Microsoft Authenticode--industry standard coupled with trusted Comodo infrastructure

·        Vista compatible--code signing certificates are supported by all versions of Vista

Customers who download digitally signed Active X controls, dynamic link libraries, .cab files, HTML content or other code from a verified publisher's site can be confident that code comes from its author and hasn't been altered or corrupted since it was created and signed.

"The Russian software development industry is rapidly growing and is a key constituent in software development worldwide. By partnering with Comodo, we will help Russian software developers get their Code Signing Certificates legally, quickly, and conveniently by providing Russian-speaking operational support and validation," said Alex Gontcharov, executive director of Rusonyx.

Code signing certificates, through the use of digital signatures, enable software developers to include information about themselves and their code so end users can be confident that code really comes from the programmer and has not been altered or corrupted since it was created and signed. If the code has been tampered with, the digital signature will not be valid and will alert customers that the code has been altered and is not trustworthy.

"Comodo's partnership with Rusonyx is important as Russia is an ever-growing center of innovative programming development," said Melih Abdulhayoglu, CEO and chief security architect of Comodo. "With this increase, comes an increased need to ensure the validity and security of their code. This partnership will help programmers rapidly receive recognition for quality, valid code, and helps promote trusted, safe online communications."

Availability

Comodo code signing certificates are available immediately and are priced at 4100 Rubles per year (about $173). Comodo code signing certificates can be used to sign 32- and 64-bit files including .exe, .dll, .class, .msi, .ocx (ActiveX) and JAR files. These certificates are supported by all versions of Vista.

For more information, visit (Russian language site) http://www.RUSONYX.ru/services/ssl/code_signing/.

About RUSONYX

Rusonyx is one of Russia's leading Web hosting service providers for small to medium enterprises SME). The RUSONYX.RU world-class, fully automated infrastructure is built on the RTComm nationwide broadband backbone (30 GBps, over 130 cities) and offers SMEs secure, reliable and comprehensive VPS, dedicated and shared Web hosting solutions. Rusonyxis is Russia's first Web and email hosting provider to use a revolutionary and fully automated Web hosting platform powered by Parallel's Business Automation solution and Virtuozzo technology to provide virtualized hosting services for customers. With over 16,000 customers' domains for over 3,500 corporate clients, Rusonyx provides the highest level of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and hands-on skills. Caring for the customers' needs and requirements, the company offers high quality services and 24X7 technical support. More information about Rusonyx can be found at (Russian language site) http://www.rusonyx.ru/.

About Comodo

The Comodo companies provide the infrastructure that is essential in enabling e-merchants, other Internet-connected companies, software companies, and individual consumers to interact and conduct business via the Internet safely and securely. The Comodo companies offer PKI SSL, code signing, content verification and e-mail certificates; award winning PC security software; vulnerability scanning services for PCI compliance; secure e-mail and fax services.

Continual innovation, a core competence in PKI, and a commitment to reversing the growth of Internet crime distinguish the Comodo companies as vital players in the Internet's ongoing development. Comodo secures and authenticates online transactions and communications for over 200,000 business customers and 3,000,000 users of our desktop security products. For additional information on Comodo--Creating Trust Online, visit http://www.comodo.com/.