From Spam Daily News
Iconix introduces visual email ID to protect against phishing
Posted on
September 20, 2005
Icon-based email ID solution helps consumers identify email from trusted senders.
Businesses using the Iconix Truemark service to send messages to their customers can rest assured knowing recipients are able to identify their messages as legitimate. When an Iconix enabled email client receives a message, it uses a two-step process to verify legitimacy. First, using industry-standard security authentication methods such as Domain Keys and SenderID, the Iconix eMail ID software verifies that the message is from the claimed source. Second, it verifies that the source is a legitimate sender who is registered with Iconix.
When an email is received from a business that uses the Iconix Truemark service, the sending company's logo is displayed in the inbox sender column.
In addition, the email inbox displays a buddy-icon column, where personalized buddy icons will appear next to messages from known senders such as friends and family. Recipients must add their friends to their list of buddies for these icons to appear, enabling them to create their own trusted buddy network. A mini-profile box pops up when a buddy icon is scrolled over with a mouse. Clicking on the pop-up box brings up a more detailed profile, where senders can consolidate their online identities in one area, linking blogs, photo albums, and other online services.
"With phishing and identity theft running rampant, today's consumers worry that opening email can be like opening Pandora's box," said Jose Picazo, president and CEO of Iconix. "Many consumers simply delete messages from banks and other businesses rather than risk the possibility of viruses or identity theft. Instead of trying to filter out suspected bad messages, we take a proactive approach by verifying that a sender is legitimate and indicating so with a simple, visual icon. This will help restore consumer trust in email and help businesses achieve their ultimate goal of getting consumers to notice, open, and act on their email."
Iconix eMail ID is available for free at www.iconix.com for Yahoo! Mail today and MSN Hotmail later this month. In coming months, new versions will support most popular email clients.
SOURCE: Iconix, Inc.