Affiliates Beware…  If your using a Thawte “Web of Trust” email certificate November 16th is the last day.  Thawte is discontinuing their “Web of Trust”. But that’s not all.

Loads of Java applications use the Thawte Web of Trust.  Which I would imagine (and have only found two examples, but hey, Google it yourself) could include a large number of feed tools, widgets and the like.  And these are exactly the kinds of applications Affiliate Marketers use an awful lot of.

The “be aware” part of this is that you may be using a Thawte Web of Trust item and not even know it.  For example, if the developer/provider of that data feed widget was using a Thawte Web of Trust certificate and they don’t read this blog (or Slashdot, it’s the only two sources I’ve found so far).  November 16th could roll around and the widget may just stop working.  Not good.

So, if your using a Thawte Web of Trust personal/email/etc Certificate you need to read the FAQ about it (that link is a Google Cache BTW…  Thawte’s site is being hammered from Slashdot right now).

Is this the end of the world..  No.  It’s just time to be a little bit careful and check things out.  You’d hate to have features of your affiliate sites go down because of a Thawte Web of Trust Certificate failure on November 16th.

BTW…  If you have a Thawte Web of Trust Certificate read that FAQ!  You can get a free Verisign Certificate to replace it (looks like it’s good for a year).

Slashdot Article about Thawte discontinuing Web of Trust