VeriSign has begun offering free malware scanning services to customers that use its SSL certificates. The goal is to make sure those customers’ Web sites aren’t inadvertently hosting malware that could infect visitors.

Online merchants are shooting themselves in the foot with faulty SSL deployments that trigger alarms scaring customers away before they have the chance to complete transactions.

Macworld.com – Apple late on Wednesday announced a new beta program for the mail component of its MobileMe internet service. The new beta offers new interface views, server-based mail rules, SSL-based security, and improved performance, according to the company.

We tested Whale Communications’ SSL VPN back in 2003 and the product didn’t fare very well. Microsoft bought Whale in 2006, jettisoned some of the strange idiosyncracies of the product, dramatically simplified management, and subsequently integrated several Vista and Windows 7 technologies.

F5 Networks has added a new member to its Big-IP application delivery family that combines SSL VPN security with existing access control and WAN optimization, enabling businesses to eliminate VPN gateways.