The company said in response to ICANN that the "wildcard" service, which redirects surfers who type in misspelled or nonexistent domain names to a VeriSign Web page offering alternatives and paid-placement links, has been rigorously tested and in compliance with all applicable technical standards. "All indications are that users, important members of the Internet community we all serve, are benefiting from the improved Web navigation offered by Site Finder," the company said. "These results are consistent with the findings from the extensive research we performed."

VeriSign also said in its response that it has scheduled meetings with ICANN?s chairman, Vint Cerf and the chairman of ICANN?s security and stability advisory committee, Steve Crocker to exchange information regarding issues raised by the Internet community. In addition, the company said it has put together a technical review panel of leading experts to assess the wildcard service. This panel, the company said today, will review information from the broader technical committee to assist VeriSign in enhancing its services to meet the needs and concerns of the Internet community.

"VeriSign is gratified that millions of Internet users have found Site Finder a helpful service to improve Web navigation. We are committed to working with the Internet community to ensure the smoothest implementation of the service," said Russell Lewis, executive vice-president of VeriSign's naming and directory services group. "The creation of the Technical Review Committee will assist VeriSign in ensuring Site Finder's long-term success."

According to VeriSign, Site Finder has been visited over 65 million times by Internet users as of September 22, averaging more than 5 million unique visitors per day.