One of Microsoft's goals for Internet Explorer 7 is to try to repair the browser's unsafe reputation.  After years of abuse, exploitation, and manhandling at the hands of malicious websites and hackers, Internet Explorer has a shroud of insecurity floating around it.  IE 7 is attempting to not only add features to keep the browser current and competitive, but is also designed to try to make web surfers feel safer than its predecessor did.

Part of that strategy extends beyond the actual application itself.  A much-touted feature of the Internet Explorer is a built-in rating system that can flag websites as "safe".  This is especially important for websites that collect personal information, such as shopping and banking sites.  As the dominant web browser in the market, an IE flag of "unsafe" could seriously hurt an online company's business.

According to SignOnSanDiego, next month Internet Explorer 7 will begin flagging those sites so it's important to make sure your website won't receive a ding from Microsoft's web browser.  IE looks for a special validation certificate issued by any number of security agencies.  In order to get a "safe" rating, websites must be in possession of that certificate.  Before issuing a validation to any website, security agencies have to verify a lot of information.

• The business name must match the legal name as recorded on government documents.
• The business must have a physical existence and addresses much match government records.  If no match is found, photos of exterior and interior spaces must be documented.
• Checks must performed to verify the domain of the company is actually owned and controlled by that company.
• The person who requests the validation must be an employee of the company.

Microsoft's procedures are pretty strict.  The issuing of validation certifications will, in many instances, require phone calls to companies, visits to offices, and/or legal correspondence.

As SignOnSanDiego notes, the procedures are contained in a lengthy document issued by Microsoft.  Since many of the government documents required are not part of many small business' standard practices, many companies will never be able to receive Internet Explorer's stamp of approval.  For that reason, many of the security companies and several other web browser makers rejected the Microsoft standard.  But Microsoft has never been afraid of going it alone, and with IE's market share, they don't really have to wait.

Check out the SignOnSanDiego article for more details and start getting those documents in order.  If you want the green light from Internet Explorer, you'd best start the process of acquiring validation now.  It's not a simple process, so you'll need time.