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CoreStreet Releases Free Version of SpoofStick, a Simple Solution to Combat Phishing; Technology Removes the Primary Weapon Criminals Use to Spoof Web Sites.


Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2004

CoreStreet, a leading provider of validation solutions for identity management and access control, today announced the release of SpoofStick, a browser extension A browser extension is a computer program that extends the functionality of a web browser in some way. Depending on the browser, the term may be distinct from similar terms such as plug-in or add-on.  that plainly shows the main Web site being visited. This product will help combat the growing problem of "phishing" -- when people are duped into giving out personal information by being led to a Web site that looks like a corporate site, but is, in fact, a fake. With SpoofStick, users will plainly see whether the site is real or fake. A free version of SpoofStick is available for download at www.CoreStreet.com/SpoofStick.

Phishing is a growing problem in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , affecting customers of some of the largest and most respected brands, including EarthLink, AOL (A division of Time Warner, Inc., New York, NY, www.aol.com) The world's largest online information service with access to the Internet, e-mail, chat rooms and a variety of databases and services. , Citibank and PayPal. Scam artists often send emails to customers saying there will be dire consequences if sensitive personal information is not updated, which often prompts users to follow a link to a site that looks identical to a legitimate site and then give out their information. By the time the user realizes it is a fraud, the damage is done.

SpoofStick clearly displays the high-level domain of the site being visited, giving users the information they need to avoid being fooled. While a site may look like one created by Citibank, if SpoofStick does not say "You're on Citibank.com" then it's not a real Citibank site.

"I love SpoofStick," said Carol Baraoudi, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board.  of Baroudi Bloor International and author of the Internet for Dummies. "E-mail fraud Fraud has existed perhaps as long or longer than money. Any new sociological change can engender new forms of fraud, or other crime. Almost as soon as e-mail became widely used, it began to be used to defraud people via E-mail fraud.  is on the rise -- innocent people are being duped every day -- it makes me crazy. SpoofStick lets you see just where you're being taken -- in every sense of the word. I want the world to be using SpoofStick. I want everybody using SpoofStick today!"

"This is a simple solution to a complex problem," said CoreStreet President Phil Libin. "Most of the problem occurs because people are given a URL URL
 in full Uniform Resource Locator

Address of a resource on the Internet. The resource can be any type of file stored on a server, such as a Web page, a text file, a graphics file, or an application program.
 that's too long or complex or mislabeled mis·la·bel  
tr.v. mis·la·beled also mis·la·belled, mis·la·bel·ing also mis·la·bel·ling, mis·la·bels also mis·la·bels
To label inaccurately.

Adj. 1.
, and they can't tell where it's from. SpoofStick shows you exactly the site you're on, so you won't be fooled into thinking it's some other site. SpoofStick puts the power to decide whether or not a site is legitimate back into the user's hands."

Fits Most Browsers

SpoofStick works like a standard toolbar A row or column of on-screen buttons used to activate functions in the application. Many toolbars are customizable, letting you add and delete buttons as required. Toolbars may be fixed in position or may float, which means they can be dragged to a more convenient location in the  on Microsoft Internet Explorer See Internet Explorer.  and Mozilla Firefox See Firefox.  browsers, has multiple size and display settings, and can show both the top level and secondary level domains of any Web site. The program does not include any spyware or adware, and because it doesn't send any information to any external entity, SpoofStick is free from some of the performance and privacy questions raised by other approaches. In the future, CoreStreet may incorporate SpoofStick technology into other commercial products.

SpoofStick is currently available as a download at www.CoreStreet.com/SpoofStick.

About CoreStreet

CoreStreet is the only provider of massively scalable validation products for identity management and access control. With CoreStreet's Real Time Credentials(TM), organizations can control physical and logical access to buildings, computer networks, applications and devices. Real Time Credentials solutions can be deployed anywhere in the world -- in connected and disconnected environments -- without having to set up costly and vulnerable infrastructure. CoreStreet's products are designed to secure large, mission-critical applications for military, civilian government, financial services and healthcare customers. The company, headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., holds 14 patents with more pending. For more information, visit www.CoreStreet.com.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2004, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Business Wire
Date:May 3, 2004
Words:575
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