VeriSign expands mobile authentication

VeriSign has been ramping up the 'protective net' of authentication

Web authentication and security firm VeriSign has expanded its mobile cloud-based authentication service to Google's Android platform.

VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP) Access for Mobile is a free tool which turns a mobile device into VIP credentials for strong authentication, requiring a username, password and a unique one-time six-digit security code, the firm said.

VIP Access for Mobile now has added support for the Nexus One handset from Google as well as other Android phones from HTC, Samsung and Motorola.

Kerry Loftus, vice president of user authentication at VeriSign, argued that making the free VIP Access for Mobile application available for a whole new mobile platform means that the "protective net of VIP authentication is spreading".

"As mobile devices become the preferred way for communicating, banking, social networking and accessing rich media content, the need for enhanced log-on and transaction security is greater than ever," he said.

"VIP provides enterprises and consumers with the tools to access a very cost-effective cloud-based security solution built to foil the criminal efforts of hackers, identity thieves and fraudsters."

The app is available free from the Android Market on the iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile platforms and handsets supporting the most popular J2ME and BREW platforms.