Air2Web Partners with VeriSign to Enable Secure Transactions for Wireless Subscribers; VeriSign's Wireless Developer Program Enables Secure Wireless EBusiness.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 2000

Air2Web, a leading mobile Internet platform, Tuesday announced a partnership with VeriSign Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN) to provide secure transaction applications for wireless consumers.

Air2Web is the most recent partner of VeriSign's Wireless Developer Program and will deliver a range of secure wireless transaction services ranging from authentication services to secure payment services using VeriSign's Wireless Trust Services platform.

Air2Web's Wireless Internet Platform is integrated with VeriSign's Wireless Trust Services Platform enabling wireless users to verify the identity of ebusiness sites, and for ebusiness sites to authenticate the identity of the wireless user.

The integration of the two company's products means a higher degree of protection for confidential information such as credit card numbers, online forms, and financial data from interception and hacking. This is accomplished through the use of public key infrastructure (PKI) and digital certificate technologies.

"This partnership really shows a progression in the capabilities of wireless applications," said Sanjoy Malik, president and chief executive officer of Air2Web. "It will also affect several key constituencies -- businesses with applications that require a high degree of security will view this alliance as proof that the wireless industry is ready.

"Security professionals will look at this as an advancement in digital certificates, and bankers will see it as removing a barrier around wireless applications."

"Mobile commerce will be the next technology to explode around the globe, and the need for innovative wireless applications is imperative," said Paul Healy, senior director of Global Wireless Services for VeriSign.

"Successful and secure m-commerce transactions are the only acceptable standard, and through the integration of VeriSign's proven experience in developing trust services for the Internet, with Air2Web's Wireless Internet Platform, we are making it happen."

About VeriSign's Wireless Developer Partner Program

Through its Wireless Developer Partner Program, VeriSign works with leading wireless developers on wireless security issues including:

-- Authentication services

-- Validation services

-- Secure Payment Services

-- Server and client-side certificates

-- Certificate Policies

VeriSign and its partners also work with the WAP (wireless application protocol) Forum and Radicchio, the global industry consortium that promotes security for wireless e-commerce. More information about the program as well as details on becoming a VeriSign Wireless Developer Program partner can be found on VeriSign's Web site at www.verisign.com/wirelessdeveloper.

About Air2Web

Air2Web, based in Atlanta, is the leading wireless application service provider. The Air2Web Always Interactive suite of services enable organizations to create, deploy, and deliver their branded applications to consumers using all types of wireless devices, from WAP and SMS phones, to pagers, and pervasive computing devices.

The Air2Web service supports interactive text and audio applications across the widest range of wireless devices, including one-way SMS. Air2Web provides state-of-the-art application hosting with day-to-day applications management and 24x7 support. Air2Web's customers include leading media, finance, travel, transportation, and e-commerce companies.

For more information about Air2Web, please visit http://www.air2web.com.

About VeriSign

VeriSign Inc. is the leading provider of trusted infrastructure services to Web sites, enterprises, electronic commerce service providers and individuals. The company's domain name, digital certificate and payment services provide the critical Web identity, authentication and transaction infrastructure that online businesses require to conduct secure e-commerce and communications.

VeriSign's services are available through its Web sites (www.verisign.com and www.netsol.com) or through its direct sales force and reseller partners around the world.

All rights reserved. VeriSign is a registered trademark of VeriSign Inc. All other trade names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements.

The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, potential volatility in VeriSign's stock price, customer acceptance of new products and services offered by the company, uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and fluctuations in its quarterly operating results.

More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially in the company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 12, 2000, as amended, Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 1999 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2000.