Method of improving online credentials

Abstract

The invention comprises a method of providing additional assurance regarding a websites authenticity. The assurance is provided by using a credential that contains an image of the website operator or the website operator's business operations. The assurance is also provided by scanning the website associated with the credential for changes and alerting the website operator or a website visitor of the changes. The invention includes a method of ensuring the proper operation of the credential and a method of protecting the credential from mis-issuance.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method of providing trust information about a website operator, the method executable by a processor and comprising:
 a. obtaining, using the processor, an image associated with the website, wherein the image comprises a portion of an image of an entity responsible for the website's content;   b. creating, using the processor, a credential associated with a website that contains the image associated with the website; and   c. displaying, using the processor, the image to a website visitor through a browser during an interaction with the website by the website visitor.   
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the photograph is uploaded to a credential provider system by an agent thereof who obtained the image while visiting a business location of the responsible entity. 
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 35 , wherein the agent verifies an identity of the responsible entity and qualifications for the credential while visiting the business location. 
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the image associated with the website further comprises a visual representation of a portion of the website. 
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the image comprises a first image and is compared to a second image that has the same association with the website as the first image. 
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 38 , further comprising:
 displaying a first credential on the website to the website visitor when the first image matches the second image; and   displaying a second credential on the website different than the first credential when the first image does not match the second image.   
     
     
         40 . A system comprising:
 a computing device having a processor and memory and configured to provide trust information regarding a website operator in conjunction with delivery of a website, wherein the processor is configured to:   retrieve an image associated with the website, wherein the image is selected from the group consisting of a portion of image of an entity responsible for content of the website and an image of a portion of the website;   upload the image to a credential provider system;   receive from the credential provider system a credential associated with the website, where the credential includes the image; and   deliver, to a browser of a computing device of a website visitor, the credential for display on the website.   
     
     
         41 . The system according to  claim 40 , where the processor is further configured to deliver the credential to a specific location on the website. 
     
     
         42 . A system according to  claim 40 , where the processor is further configured to verify an identity of an entity and qualifications of the credential based on content of the image and accompanying information related to the business. 
     
     
         43 . A system according to  claim 40 , where the image comprises a first image, and the processor is further configured to compare the first image to a second image that has the same association with the website as the first image. 
     
     
         44 . A system according to  claim 43 , where the processor is further configured to:
 display a first credential on the website to the website visitor when the first image matches the second image; and   display a second credential on the website different than the first credential when the first image does not match the second image.   
     
     
         45 . A method of providing trust information about a website operator, the method executable by a processor and comprising:
 a. obtaining, using the processor, a first image associated with the website and a second image associated with the website;   b. comparing the first image with the second image;   c. creating, using the processor, a credential associated with a website that contains the first image associated with the website based on the comparison of the first and second image; and   d. displaying, using the processor, the first image to a website visitor through a browser during an interaction with the website by the website visitor.   
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the first is uploaded to a credential provider system by an agent thereof who obtained the first image while visiting a business location of the responsible entity. 
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the agent verifies an identity of the responsible entity and qualifications for the credential while visiting the business location. 
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the first image associated with the website further comprises a visual representation of a portion of the website. 
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 48 , further comprising:
 displaying a first credential on the website to the website visitor when the first image matches the second image; and   displaying a second credential on the website different than the first credential when the first image does not match the second image.