VeriSign, a leading provider of SSL certificates, has passed on a petition for full authority to shut down websites with malware, Ars Technica reports.

VeriSign headquarters in Mountain View, California. (Image: Coolcaesar (GFDL), via Wikimedia Commons)

According to the post, VeriSign also want powers to scan sites for possible malware and fold domain names with consent from law enforcement authorities.

VeriSign manages a large volume of top-level domain names such as .com, .net and .name.

The firm said that the Internet community has a dire need for “more proactive” measures to thwart malicious content from accomplising its goals.

“ICANN has recognized this and the new gTLD Applicant Guidebook requires new gTLDs to adopt a clear definition of rapid takedown or suspension systems that will be implemented,” VeriSign added.

The company’s complete request passed through ICANN’s Registry Services Evaluation Process on Monday.

Malware, however, is only one of VeriSign’s concerns, as it operates software with the assistance of security experts to confiscate domain names holding malware or related criminal activities.

If implemented, website administrators will also have the ability to appeal if the pulling down process erred in including their site/s.

About Francis Rey Balolong

A coffee junkie who spends most of his time writing about the latest news on social media and mobile technology. I would definitely consider myself a nerd (in the coolest most hipster way possible). That being said, I love technology, music, writing, and all things mobile. Follow me: Google+ Twitter

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