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                                                                    Exhibit 4.05


                                 VERISIGN, INC.

                            2001 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

                           As Adopted January 26, 2001

         1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Plan is to provide incentives to
            -------
attract, retain and motivate eligible persons whose present and potential
contributions are important to the success of the Company, its Parent and
Subsidiaries, by offering them an opportunity to participate in the Company's
future performance through awards of Options and Restricted Stock. Capitalized
terms not defined in the text are defined in Section 22 if they are not
otherwise defined in other sections of this Plan.

         2. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
            --------------------------

            2.1 Number of Shares Available. Subject to Sections 2.2 and 17, the
                --------------------------
total number of Shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to
this Plan will be 15,000,000 Shares. Subject to Sections 2.2 and 17, Shares that
are subject to: (a) issuance upon exercise of an Option but cease to be subject
to such Option for any reason other than exercise of such Award and (b) an Award
granted hereunder but are forfeited or are repurchased by the Company at the
original issue price because the Shares are Unvested Shares at the time of the
Participant's Termination, will again be available for grant and issuance in
connection with future Awards under this Plan. On each January 1, the aggregate
number of Shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to this
Plan will be increased automatically by a number of Shares equal to two percent
(2%) of the total outstanding shares of the Company as of the immediately
preceding December 31; provided, that the Board may in its sole discretion
reduce the amount of the increase in any particular year. At all times the
Company shall reserve and keep available a sufficient number of Shares as shall
be required to satisfy the requirements of all outstanding Awards granted under
this Plan.

            2.2 Adjustment of Shares. If the number of outstanding shares is
                --------------------
changed by a stock dividend, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split,
subdivision, combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital
structure of the Company without consideration, then (a) the number of Shares
reserved for issuance under this Plan, (b) the Exercise Prices of and number of
Shares subject to outstanding Options, and (c) the number of Shares subject to
other outstanding Awards, will be proportionately adjusted, subject to any
required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company and compliance
with applicable securities laws; provided, that fractions of a Share will not be
                                 --------
issued but will either be paid in cash at the Fair Market Value of such fraction
of a Share or will be rounded up to the nearest whole Share, as determined by
the Committee; and provided, further, that the Exercise Price of any Award may
not be decreased to below the par value of the Shares.

         3. ELIGIBILITY. Awards may be granted to employees, non-Section 16
            -----------
officers, consultants, independent contractors and advisors of the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company; provided such consultants, independent
                                         --------
contractors and advisors render bona fide services not in connection with the
offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction. A person may be
granted more than one Award under this Plan. Awards granted to officers may not
exceed in the aggregate forty percent (40%) of all Shares that are reserved for
grant under this Plan. Awards granted as Restricted Stock to officers may not
exceed in the aggregate forty percent (40%) of all Shares that are granted as
Restricted Stock.

         4. ADMINISTRATION.
            --------------

            4.1 Committee Authority. This Plan will be administered by the
                -------------------
Committee or by the Board acting as the Committee. Subject to the general
purposes, terms and conditions of this Plan, and to the direction of


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the Board, the Committee will have full power to implement and carry out this
Plan. Without limitation, the Committee will have the authority to:

                           (a)  construe and interpret this Plan, any Award
Agreement and any other agreement or document executed pursuant to this Plan;

                           (b)  prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to this Plan or any Award;

                           (c)  select persons to receive Awards;

                           (d)  determine the form and terms of Awards;

                           (e)  determine the number of Shares subject to
Awards;

                           (f)  determine whether Awards will be granted singly,
in combination with, in tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to,
other Awards under this Plan or any other incentive or compensation plan of the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company;

                           (g)  grant waivers of Plan or Award conditions;

                           (h)  determine the vesting, exercisability and
payment of Awards;

                           (i)  correct any defect, supply any omission or
reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement;

                           (j)  determine whether an Award has been earned; and

                           (k)  make all other determinations necessary or
advisable for the administration of this Plan.

                     4.2   Committee Discretion. Any determination made by the
                           --------------------
Committee with respect to any Award will be made in its sole discretion at the
time of grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of
this Plan or Award, at any later time, and such determination will be final and
binding on the Company and on all persons having an interest in any Award under
this Plan. The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the
authority to grant an Award under this Plan to Participants who are not
officers.

                  5. OPTIONS. Only nonqualified stock options that do not
                     -------
qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the
Code may be granted under this Plan. The Committee may grant Options to eligible
persons and will determine (i) the number of Shares subject to the Option, (ii)
the Exercise Price of the Option, (iii) the period during which the Option may
be exercised, and (iv) all other terms and conditions of the Option, subject to
the following:

                     5.1   Form of Option Grant. Each Option granted under this
                           --------------------
Plan will be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement. The Stock Option Agreement
will be in such form and contain such provisions (which need not be the same for
each Participant) as the Committee may from time to time approve, and which will
comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.

                     5.2   Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option will be
                           -------------
the date on which the Committee makes the determination to grant the Option,
unless a later date is otherwise specified by the Committee. The Stock Option
Agreement and a copy of this Plan will be delivered to the Participant within a
reasonable time after the Option is granted.


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           5.3 Exercise Period and Expiration Date. Options will be exercisable
               -----------------------------------
within the times or upon the occurrence of events determined by the Committee as
set forth in the Stock Option Agreement governing such Option; provided,
                                                               --------
however, that no Option will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10)
-------
years from the date the Option is granted. The Committee also may provide for
Options to become exercisable at one time or from time to time, periodically or
otherwise, in such number of Shares or percentage of Shares as the Committee
determines.

           5.4 Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of an Option will be
               --------------
determined by the Committee when the Option is granted and may be not less than
the par value of the Shares on the date of grant. Payment for the Shares
purchased must be made in accordance with Section 7 of this Plan.

           5.5 Method of Exercise. Options may be exercised only by delivery to
               ------------------
the Company of a written stock option exercise agreement (the "Exercise
Agreement") in a form approved by the Committee (which need not be the same for
each Participant), stating the number of Shares being purchased, the
restrictions imposed on the Shares purchased under such Exercise Agreement, if
any, and such representations and agreements regarding Participant's investment
intent and access to information and other matters, if any, as may be required
or desirable by the Company to comply with applicable securities laws, together
with payment in full of the Exercise Price for the number of Shares being
purchased.

           5.6 Termination. Notwithstanding the exercise periods set forth in
               -----------
the Stock Option Agreement, exercise of an Option will always be subject to the
following:

               (a) If the Participant is Terminated for any reason except death
or Disability, then the Participant may exercise such Participant's Options only
to the extent that such Options would have been exercisable upon the Termination
Date no later than three (3) months after the Termination Date (or such shorter
or longer time period not exceeding five (5) years as may be determined by the
Committee, but in any event, no later than the expiration date of the Options.

               (b) If the Participant is Terminated because of Participant's
death or Disability (or the Participant dies within three (3) months after a
Termination other than for Cause or because of Participant's Disability), then
Participant's Options may be exercised only to the extent that such Options
would have been exercisable by Participant on the Termination Date and must be
exercised by Participant (or Participant's legal representative or authorized
assignee) no later than twelve (12) months after the Termination Date (or such
shorter or longer time period not exceeding five (5) years as may be determined
by the Committee) but in any event no later than the expiration date of the
Options.

               (c) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph 5.6(a) above, if
a Participant is terminated for Cause, neither the Participant, the
Participant's estate nor such other person who may then hold the Option shall be
entitled to exercise any Option with respect to any Shares whatsoever, after
termination of service, whether or not after termination of service the
Participant may receive payment from the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of
the Company for vacation pay, for services rendered prior to termination, for
services rendered for the day on which termination occurs, for salary in lieu of
notice, or for any other benefits. In making such determination, the Board shall
give the Participant an opportunity to present to the Board evidence on his
behalf. For the purpose of this paragraph, termination of service shall be
deemed to occur on the date when the Company dispatches notice or advice to the
Participant that his service is terminated.

           5.7 Limitations on Exercise. The Committee may specify a reasonable
               -----------------------
minimum number of Shares that may be purchased on any exercise of an Option,
provided that the minimum number will not prevent a Participant from exercising
the Option for the full number of Shares for which it is then exercisable.

           5.8 Modification, Extension or Renewal. The Committee may modify,
               ----------------------------------
extend or renew outstanding Options and authorize the grant of new Options in
substitution therefor, provided that any such action may not, without the
written consent of a Participant, impair any of such Participant's rights under
any Option previously granted. The Committee may reduce the Exercise Price of
outstanding Options without the consent of


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Participants affected by a written notice to them; provided, however, that the
                                                   --------  -------
Exercise Price may not be reduced below the minimum Exercise Price that would be
permitted under Section 5.4 of this Plan for Options granted on the date the
action is taken to reduce the Exercise Price; and provided, further, that the
Exercise Price shall not be reduced below the par value of the Shares.

         6.   RESTRICTED STOCK. A Restricted Stock Award is an offer by the
              ----------------
Company to sell to an eligible person Shares that are subject to restrictions.
The Committee will determine to whom an offer will be made, the number of Shares
the person may purchase, the price to be paid (the "Purchase Price"), the
restrictions to which the Shares will be subject, and all other terms and
conditions of the Restricted Stock Award, subject to the following:

              6.1  Form of Restricted Stock Award. All purchases under a
                   ------------------------------
Restricted Stock Award made pursuant to this Plan will be evidenced by an Award
Agreement ("Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement") that will be in such form
(which need not be the same for each Participant) as the Committee will from
time to time approve, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and
conditions of this Plan. The offer of Restricted Stock will be accepted by the
Participant's execution and delivery of the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement
and full payment for the Shares to the Company within thirty (30) days from the
date the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is delivered to the person. If such
person does not execute and deliver the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement
along with full payment for the Shares to the Company within thirty (30) days,
then the offer will terminate, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.

              6.2  Purchase Price. The Purchase Price of Shares sold pursuant to
                   --------------
a Restricted Stock Award will be determined by the Committee on the date the
Restricted Stock Award is granted and may be not less than the par value of the
Shares on the date of grant. Payment of the Purchase Price may be made in
accordance with Section 7 of this Plan.

              6.3  Terms of Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted Stock Awards
                   --------------------------------
shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose. These
restrictions may be based upon completion of a specified number of years of
service with the Company or upon completion of the performance goals as set out
in advance in the Participant's individual Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement.
Restricted Stock Awards may vary from Participant to Participant and between
groups of Participants. Prior to the payment of any Restricted Stock Award, the
Committee shall determine the extent to which such Restricted Stock Award has
been earned.

              6.4  Termination During Performance Period. If a Participant is
                   -------------------------------------
Terminated during a performance period for any reason, then such Participant
will be entitled to payment (whether in Shares, cash or otherwise) with respect
to the Restricted Stock Award only to the extent earned as of the date of
Termination in accordance with the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, unless
the Committee will determine otherwise.

         7.   PAYMENT FOR SHARE PURCHASES.
              ---------------------------

              7.1  Payment. Payment for Shares purchased on exercise of an Award
                   -------
may be made in cash (by check) or, where expressly approved for the Participant
by the Committee and where permitted by law:

                   (a)  by cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the
Participant;

                   (b)  by surrender of shares that either: (1) have been owned
by Participant for more than six (6) months and have been paid for within the
meaning of SEC Rule 144 (and, if such shares were purchased from the Company by
use of a promissory note, such note has been fully paid with respect to such
shares); or (2) were obtained by Participant in the public market;

                   (c)  by tender of a full recourse promissory note having such
terms as may be approved by the Committee and bearing interest at a rate
sufficient to avoid imputation of income under Sections 483 and 1274 of the
Code; provided, however, that a Participant who is not an employee of the
      --------  -------
Company may not


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purchase Shares with a promissory note unless the note is adequately secured by
collateral other than the Shares; and provided, further, that the portion of the
Exercise Price equal to the par value of the Shares must be paid in cash;

               (d)  by waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Participant
for services rendered;

               (e)  provided that a public market for the Company's stock
exists:

                    (1) through a "same day sale" commitment from the
Participant and a broker-dealer that is a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers (an "NASD Dealer") whereby the Participant irrevocably elects
to exercise the Option and to sell a portion of the Shares so purchased to pay
for the Exercise Price, and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon
receipt of such Shares to forward the Exercise Price directly to the Company; or

                    (2) through a "margin" commitment from the Participant and a
NASD Dealer whereby the Participant irrevocably elects to exercise the Option
and to pledge the Shares so purchased to the NASD Dealer in a margin account as
security for a loan from the NASD Dealer in the amount of the Exercise Price,
and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such Shares to
forward the Exercise Price directly to the Company; or

               (f)  by any combination of the foregoing.

          7.2 Loan Guarantees. The Committee may help the Participant pay for
              ---------------
Shares purchased under this Plan by authorizing a guarantee by the Company of a
third-party loan to the Participant.

     8.   WITHHOLDING TAXES.
          -----------------

          8.1   Withholding Generally. Whenever Shares are to be issued on
                ---------------------
exercise of Awards granted under this Plan, the Company may require the
Participant to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy federal,
state and local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any
certificate or certificates for such Shares. If a payment in satisfaction of an
Award is to be made in cash, such payment will be net of an amount sufficient to
satisfy federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements.

          8.2   Stock Withholding. When, under applicable tax laws, a
                -----------------
Participant incurs tax liability in connection with the exercise or vesting of
any Award that is subject to tax withholding and the Participant is obligated to
pay the Company the amount required to be withheld, the Committee may in its
sole discretion allow the Participant to satisfy the minimum withholding tax
obligation by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued
that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount
required to be withheld, determined on the date that the amount of tax to be
withheld is to be determined. All elections by a Participant to have Shares
withheld for this purpose will be made in accordance with the requirements
established by the Committee and be in writing in a form acceptable to the
Committee

     9.   PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP. No Participant will have any of the
          -----------------------------
rights of a stockholder with respect to any Shares until the Shares are issued
to the Participant. After Shares are issued to the Participant, the Participant
will be a stockholder and have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to
such Shares, including the right to vote and receive all dividends or other
distributions made or paid with respect to such Shares; provided, however, that
if such Shares are Restricted Stock, any new, additional or different securities
the Participant may become entitled to receive with respect to the Shares by
virtue of a stock dividend, stock split or any other change in the corporate or
capital structure of the Company will be subject to the same restrictions as the
Restricted Stock; provided, further that the Participant will have no right to
retain such dividends or distributions with respect to Shares that are
repurchased at the Participant's original Exercise Price pursuant to Section 11.

     10.  TRANSFERABILITY.
          ---------------

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<PAGE>


                 10.1  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, Awards
granted under this Plan, and any interest therein, will not be transferable or
assignable by Participant, and may not be made subject to execution, attachment
or similar process, otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution or as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award
Agreement.

                 10.2  Unless otherwise restricted by the Committee, an Option
shall be exercisable: (i) during the Participant's lifetime only by (A) the
Participant, (B) the Participant's guardian or legal representative, (C) a
Family Member of the Participant who has acquired the Option by "permitted
transfer;" and (ii) after Participant's death, by the legal representative of
the Participant's heirs or legatees. "Permitted transfer" means, as authorized
by this Plan and the Committee in an Option, any transfer effected by the
Participant during the Participant's lifetime of an interest in such Option but
only such transfers which are by gift or domestic relations order. A permitted
transfer does not include any transfer for value and neither of the following
are transfers for value: (a) a transfer of under a domestic relations order in
settlement of marital property rights or (b) a transfer to an entity in which
more than fifty percent of the voting interests are owned by Family Members or
the Participant in exchange for an interest in that entity.

                 10.3  Unless otherwise restricted by the Committee, a
Restricted Stock may be transferred during the Participant's lifetime, only to
(A) the Participant, or (B) the Participant's guardian or legal representative.

         11.     RESTRICTIONS ON SHARES. At the discretion of the Committee, the
                 ----------------------
Company may reserve to itself and/or its assignee(s) in the Award Agreement a
right to repurchase at the Participant's Exercise Price a portion of or all
Unvested Shares held by a Participant following such Participant's Termination
at any time within ninety (90) days after the later of Participant's Termination
Date and the date Participant purchases Shares under this Plan, for cash and/or
cancellation of purchase money indebtedness, at the Participant's Exercise Price
or Purchase Price, as the case may be.

         12.     CERTIFICATES. All certificates for Shares or other securities
                 ------------
delivered under this Plan will be subject to such stock transfer orders, legends
and other restrictions as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable,
including restrictions under any applicable federal, state or foreign securities
law, or any rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC or any stock
exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may be listed or
quoted.

         13.       ESCROW; PLEDGE OF SHARES. To enforce any restrictions on a
                   ------------------------
Participant's Shares, the Committee may require the Participant to deposit all
certificates representing the Shares, together with stock powers or other
instruments of transfer approved by the Committee, appropriately endorsed in
blank, with the Company or an agent designated by the Company to hold in escrow
until such restrictions have lapsed or terminated, and the Committee may cause a
legend or legends referencing such restrictions to be placed on the
certificates. Any Participant who is permitted to execute a promissory note as
partial or full consideration for the purchase of Shares under this Plan will be
required to pledge and deposit with the Company all or part of the Shares so
purchased as collateral to secure the payment of Participant's obligation to the
Company under the promissory note; provided, however, that the Committee may
                                   --------  -------
require or accept other or additional forms of collateral to secure the payment
of such obligation and, in any event, the Company will have full recourse
against the Participant under the promissory note notwithstanding any pledge of
the Participant's Shares or other collateral. In connection with any pledge of
the Shares, Participant will be required to execute and deliver a written pledge
agreement in such form as the Committee will from time to time approve. The
Shares purchased with the promissory note may be released from the pledge on a
pro rata basis as the promissory note is paid.

         14.      EXCHANGE AND BUYOUT OF AWARDS.  The Committee may, at any time
                  -----------------------------
or from time to time, authorize the Company, with the consent of the respective
Participants, to issue new Awards in exchange for the surrender and cancellation
of any or all outstanding Awards. The Committee may at any time buy from a
Participant an Award previously granted with payment in cash, Shares (including
Restricted Stock) or other consideration, based on such terms and conditions as
the Committee and the Participant may agree.

                                       6

<PAGE>


         15. SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. An Award will not
             ----------------------------------------------
be effective unless such Award is in compliance with all applicable federal and
state securities laws, rules and regulations of any governmental body, and the
requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the
Shares may then be listed or quoted, as they are in effect on the date of grant
of the Award and also on the date of exercise or other issuance. Notwithstanding
any other provision in this Plan, the Company will have no obligation to issue
or deliver certificates for Shares under this Plan prior to: (a) obtaining any
approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary
or advisable; and/or (b) completion of any registration or other qualification
of such Shares under any state or federal law or ruling of any governmental body
that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable. The Company will be
under no obligation to register the Shares with the SEC or to effect compliance
with the registration, qualification or listing requirements of any state
securities laws, stock exchange or automated quotation system, and the Company
will have no liability for any inability or failure to do so.

         16. NO OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY. Nothing in this Plan or any Award granted
             -----------------------
under this Plan will confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right
to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or limit in any way the right
of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company to terminate
Participant's employment or other relationship at any time, with or without
cause.

         17. CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
             ----------------------

             17.1   Assumption or Replacement of Awards by Successor. In the
                    ------------------------------------------------
event of (a) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (b) a merger or
consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than
a merger or consolidation with a wholly-owned subsidiary, a reincorporation of
the Company in a different jurisdiction, or other transaction in which there is
no substantial change in the stockholders of the Company or their relative stock
holdings and the Awards granted under this Plan are assumed, converted or
replaced by the successor corporation, which assumption will be binding on all
Participants), (c) a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation
but after which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger
(other than any stockholder that merges, or which owns or controls another
corporation that merges, with the Company in such merger) cease to own their
shares or other equity interest in the Company, (d) the sale of substantially
all of the assets of the Company, or (e) the acquisition, sale, or transfer of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Company by tender offer or
similar transaction, any or all outstanding Awards may be assumed, converted or
replaced by the successor corporation (if any), which assumption, conversion or
replacement will be binding on all Participants. In the alternative, the
successor corporation may substitute equivalent Awards or provide substantially
similar consideration to Participants as was provided to stockholders (after
taking into account the existing provisions of the Awards). The successor
corporation may also issue, in place of outstanding Shares of the Company held
by the Participant, substantially similar shares or other property subject to
repurchase restrictions no less favorable to the Participant. In the event such
successor corporation (if any) refuses to assume or substitute Awards, as
provided above, pursuant to a transaction described in this Subsection 17.1,
such Awards will expire on such transaction at such time and on such conditions
as the Committee will determine; provided, however, that the Committee may, in
                                 --------  -------
its sole discretion, provide that the vesting of any or all Awards granted
pursuant to this Plan will accelerate. If the Committee exercises such
discretion with respect to Options, such Options will become exercisable in full
prior to the consummation of such event at such time and on such conditions as
the Committee determines, and if such Options are not exercised prior to the
consummation of the corporate transaction, they shall terminate at such time as
determined by the Committee.

             17.2   Other Treatment of Awards. Subject to any greater rights
                    -------------------------
granted to Participants under the foregoing provisions of this Section 17, in
the event of the occurrence of any transaction described in Section 17.1, any
outstanding Awards will be treated as provided in the applicable agreement or
plan of merger, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, or sale of assets.

             17.3   Assumption of Awards by the Company. The Company, from
                    -----------------------------------
time to time, also may substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by
another company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company
or otherwise, by either; (a) granting an Award under this Plan in substitution
of such other

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<PAGE>

company's award; or (b) assuming such award as if it had been granted under this
Plan if the terms of such assumed award could be applied to an Award granted
under this Plan. Such substitution or assumption will be permissible if the
holder of the substituted or assumed award would have been eligible to be
granted an Award under this Plan if the other company had applied the rules of
this Plan to such grant. In the event the Company assumes an award granted by
another company, the terms and conditions of such award will remain unchanged
(except that the exercise price and the number and nature of Shares issuable
 ------
upon exercise of any such option will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to
Section 424(a) of the Code). In the event the Company elects to grant a new
Option rather than assuming an existing option, such new Option may be granted
with a similarly adjusted Exercise Price.

         18.      ADOPTION.  This Plan will become effective on the date that it
                  --------
 is adopted by the Board (the "Effective Date").

         19.      TERM OF PLAN/GOVERNING LAW. Unless earlier  terminated as
                  --------------------------
provided herein, this Plan will terminate ten (10) years from the Effective
Date. This Plan and all agreements thereunder shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

         20.      AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN.  The Board may at any time
                  --------------------------------
terminate or amend this Plan in any respect, including without limitation
amendment of any form of Award Agreement or instrument to be executed pursuant
to this Plan.

         21.      NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN. Neither the adoption of this Plan
                  --------------------------
by the Board, nor any provision of this Plan will be construed as creating any
limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such additional compensation
arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the
granting of stock option and bonues otherwise than under this Plan, and such
arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific
cases.

         22.      DEFINITIONS.  As used in this Plan, the following terms will
                  -----------
have the following meanings:

                  "Award" means any award under this Plan, including any Option
or Restricted Stock.

                  "Award Agreement" means, with respect to each Award, the
signed written agreement between the Company and the Participant setting forth
the terms and conditions of the Award.

                  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

                  "Cause" means the commission of an act of theft, embezzlement,
fraud, dishonesty or a breach of fiduciary duty to the Company or a Parent or
Subsidiary of the Company.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                  "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

                  "Company" means VeriSign, Inc. or any successor corporation.

                  "Disability" means a disability, whether temporary or
permanent, partial or total, as determined by the Committee.

                  "Exercise Price" means the price at which a holder of an
Option may purchase the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option.

                  "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of a
share of the Company's Common Stock determined as follows:

                                       8

<PAGE>


                           (a)      if such Common Stock is then quoted on the
                                    Nasdaq National Market, its closing price on
                                    the Nasdaq National Market on the date of
                                    determination as reported in The Wall Street
                                                                 ---------------
                                    Journal;
                                    -------

                           (b)      if such Common Stock is publicly traded and
                                    is then listed on a national securities
                                    exchange, its closing price on the date of
                                    determination on the principal national
                                    securities exchange on which the Common
                                    Stock is listed or admitted to trading as
                                    reported in The Wall Street Journal; or
                                                -----------------------

                           (c)      if such Common Stock is publicly traded but
                                    is not quoted on the Nasdaq National Market
                                    nor listed or admitted to trading on a
                                    national securities exchange, the average of
                                    the closing bid and asked prices on the date
                                    of determination as reported in The Wall
                                                                    --------
                                    Street Journal;
                                    --------------

                           (d)      if none of the foregoing is applicable, by
                                    the Committee in good faith.

                  "Family Member" includes any of the following:

                           (a)      child, stepchild, grandchild, parent,
                                    stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former
                                    spouse, sibling, niece, nephew,
                                    mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law,
                                    daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or
                                    sister-in-law of the Participant, including
                                    any such person with such relationship to
                                    the Participant by adoption;

                           (b)      any person (other than a tenant or employee)
                                    sharing the Participant's household;

                           (c)      a trust in which the persons in (a) and (b)
                                    have more than fifty percent of the
                                    beneficial interest;

                           (d)      a foundation in which the persons in (a) and
                                    (b) or the Participant control the
                                    management of assets; or

                           (e)      any other entity in which the persons in (a)
                                    and (b) or the Participant own more than
                                    fifty percent of the voting interest.

                  "Option" means an award of an option to purchase Shares
pursuant to Section 5.

                  "Parent" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an
unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if each of such
corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in such chain.

                  "Participant" means a person who receives an Award under this
Plan.

                  "Plan" means this VeriSign, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan,
as amended from time to time.

                  "Restricted Stock Award" means an award of Shares pursuant to
Section 6.

                  "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                  "Shares" means shares of the Company's Common Stock reserved
for issuance under this Plan, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 2 and 17, and any
successor security.

                                       9

<PAGE>


                  "Stock Option Agreement" means, with respect to each Option,
the signed written agreement between the Company and the Participant setting
forth the terms and conditions of the Option.

                  "Subsidiary" means any corporation (other than the Company) in
an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the
corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock
possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

                  "Termination" or "Terminated" means, for purposes of this Plan
with respect to a Participant, that the Participant has for any reason ceased to
provide services as an employee, officer, consultant, independent contractor, or
advisor to the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. An employee
will not be deemed to have ceased to provide services in the case of (i) sick
leave, (ii) military leave, or (iii) any other leave of absence approved by the
Committee, provided, that such leave is for a period of not more than 90 days,
unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract
or statute or unless provided otherwise pursuant to formal policy adopted from
time to time by the Company and issued and promulgated to employees in writing.
In the case of any employee on an approved leave of absence, the Committee may
make such provisions respecting suspension of vesting of the Award while on
leave from the employ of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company as
it may deem appropriate, except that in no event may an Award be exercised after
the expiration of the term set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee will
have sole discretion to determine whether a Participant has ceased to provide
services and the effective date on which the Participant ceased to provide
services (the "Termination Date").

                  "Unvested Shares" means "Unvested Shares" as defined in the
Award Agreement.

                  "Vested Shares" means "Vested Shares" as defined in the Award
Agreement.

                                       10

<PAGE>

                                                                         No. ___

                                 VERISIGN, INC.

                            2001 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------

                This Stock Option Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of the Date of Grant set forth below (the "Date of Grant") by
and between VeriSign, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the
Optionee named below ("Optionee"). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall
have the meaning ascribed to them in the Company's 2000 Stock Incentive Plan
(the "Plan").

Optionee:
                              ----------------------------------------
Social Security Number:
                              ----------------------------------------
Optionee's Address:
                              ----------------------------------------

                              ----------------------------------------

Total Option Shares:          ----------------------------------------

Exercise Price Per Share:     ----------------------------------------

Date of Grant:                ----------------------------------------

Expiration Date:              ----------------------------------------
                              (unless earlier terminated under Section 3 hereof)

Type of Stock Option:         Nonqualified Stock Option
                              ----------------------------------------

                1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to Optionee a
                   ---------------
nonqualified stock option (this "Option") to purchase up to the total number of
shares of Common Stock of the Company set forth above as Total Option Shares
(collectively, the "Shares") at the Exercise Price Per Share set forth above
(the "Exercise Price"), subject to all of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the Plan.

                2. Vesting; Exercise Period.
                   ------------------------

                   2.1      Vesting of Shares.  This Option shall be
                            -----------------
exercisable as it vests. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and
this Agreement, this Option shall vest and become exercisable as to portions of
the Shares as follows: (a) this Option shall not be exercisable with respect to
any of the Shares until _________________, (the "First Vesting Date"); (b) if
Optionee has continuously provided services to the Company, or any Parent or
Subsidiary of the Company, then on the First Vesting Date, this Option shall
become exercisable as to _______________% of the Shares; and (c) thereafter this
Option shall become exercisable as to an additional _____________% of the Shares
on each monthly anniversary of the First Vesting Date, provided that Optionee
has continuously provided services to the Company, or any Parent or Subsidiary
of the Company, at all times during the relevant month. This Option shall cease
to vest upon Optionee's Termination and Optionee shall in no event be entitled
under this Option to purchase a number of shares of the Company's Common Stock
greater than the "Total Option Shares."

                   2.2      Vesting of Options.  Shares that are vested
                            ------------------
pursuant to the schedule set forth in Section 2.1 hereof are "Vested Shares."
Shares that are not vested pursuant to the schedule set forth in Section 2.1
hereof are "Unvested Shares."

                                       11

<PAGE>

                 2.3      Expiration.  This Option shall expire on the
                          ----------
Expiration Date set forth above and must be exercised, if at all, on or before
the earlier of the Expiration Date or the date on which this Option is earlier
terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 hereof.

        3.       Termination.
                 -----------

                 3.1      Termination for Any Reason Except Death, Disability or
                          ------------------------------------------------------
Cause.  If Optionee is Terminated for any reason except Optionee's death,
-----
Disability or Cause, then this Option, to the extent (and only to the extent)
that it is vested in accordance with the schedule set forth in Section 2.1
hereof on the Termination Date, may be exercised by Optionee no later than three
(3) months after the Termination Date, but in any event no later than the
Expiration Date.

                 3.2      Termination Because of Death or Disability.  If
                          ------------------------------------------
Optionee is Terminated because of death or Disability of Optionee (or the
Optionee dies within three (3) months after Termination other than for Cause or
because of Disability), then this Option, to the extent that it is vested in
accordance with the schedule set forth in Section 2.1 hereof on the Termination
Date, may be exercised by Optionee (or Optionee's legal representative or
authorized assignee) no later than twelve (12) months after the Termination
Date, but in any event no later than the Expiration Date. Any exercise after
three months after the Termination Date when the Termination is for any reason
other than Optionee's death or disability, within the meaning of Code Section
22(e)(3), shall be deemed to be the exercise of a nonqualified stock option.

                 3.3      Termination for Cause.  If Optionee is Terminated for
                          ---------------------
Cause, this Option will expire on the Optionee's date of Termination.

                 3.4      No Obligation to Employ.  Nothing in the Plan or this
                          -----------------------
Agreement shall confer on Optionee any right to continue in the employ of, or
other relationship with, the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company,
or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company to terminate Optionee's employment or other relationship at any time,
with or without Cause.

        4.       Manner of Exercise.
                 ------------------

                 4.1      Stock Option Exercise Agreement.  To exercise this
                          -------------------------------
Option, Optionee (or in the case of exercise after Optionee's death, Optionee's
executor, administrator, heir or legatee, as the case may be) must deliver to
the Company an executed stock option exercise agreement in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A, or in such other form as may be approved by the Company
from time to time (the "Exercise Agreement"), which shall set forth, inter alia,
                                                                     ----- ----
Optionee's election to exercise this Option, the number of shares being
purchased, any restrictions imposed on the Shares and any representations,
warranties and agreements regarding Optionee's investment intent and access to
information as may be required by the Company to comply with applicable
securities laws. If someone other than Optionee exercises this Option, then such
person must submit documentation reasonably acceptable to the Company that such
person has the right to exercise this Option.

                 4.2      Limitations on Exercise.  This Option may not be
                          -----------------------
exercised unless such exercise is in compliance with all applicable federal and
state securities laws, as they are in effect on the date of exercise. This
Option may not be exercised as to fewer than 100 Shares unless it is exercised
as to all Shares as to which this Option is then exercisable.

                 4.3      Payment.  The Exercise Agreement shall be accompanied
                          -------
by full payment of the Exercise Price for the Shares being purchased in cash (by
check), or where permitted by law:

  (a)   by cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the Optionee;

  (b)   by surrender of shares of the Company's Common Stock that either: (1)
        have been owned by Optionee for more than six (6) months and have been
        paid for within the meaning of SEC Rule 144 (and, if such shares were
        purchased from the Company by use of a promissory note, such note has

                                       12

<PAGE>

                been fully paid with respect to such shares); or (2) were
                obtained by Optionee in the open public market; and (3) are
                                                                ---
                clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests;

       (c)      by waiver of compensation due or accrued to Optionee for
                services rendered;

       (d)      provided that a public market for the Company's stock exists:
                (1) through a "same day sale" commitment from Optionee and a
                broker-dealer that is a member of the National Association of
                Securities Dealers (a "NASD Dealer") whereby Optionee
                irrevocably elects to exercise this Option and to sell a portion
                of the Shares so purchased to pay for the Exercise Price and
                whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such
                Shares to forward the exercise price directly to the Company; or
                                                                              --
                (2) through a "margin" commitment from Optionee and a NASD
                Dealer whereby Optionee irrevocably elects to exercise this
                Option and to pledge the Shares so purchased to the NASD Dealer
                in a margin account as security for a loan from the NASD Dealer
                in the amount of the Exercise Price, and whereby the NASD Dealer
                irrevocably commits upon receipt of such Shares to forward the
                Exercise Price directly to the Company; or

       (e)      by any combination of the foregoing.

                         4.4      Tax Withholding.  Prior to the issuance of the
                                  ---------------
Shares upon exercise of this Option, Optionee must pay or provide for any
applicable federal or state withholding obligations of the Company. If the
Committee permits, Optionee may provide for payment of withholding taxes upon
exercise of this Option by requesting that the Company retain Shares with a Fair
Market Value equal to the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld. In
such case, the Company shall issue the net number of Shares to the Optionee by
deducting the Shares retained from the Shares issuable upon exercise.

                         4.5      Issuance of Shares.  Provided that the
                                  ------------------
Exercise Agreement and payment are in form and substance satisfactory to counsel
for the Company, the Company shall issue the Shares registered in the name of
Optionee, Optionee's authorized assignee, or Optionee's legal representative,
and shall deliver certificates representing the Shares with the appropriate
legends affixed thereto.

                5.       Compliance with Laws and Regulations. The exercise of
                         ------------------------------------
this Option and the issuance and transfer of Shares shall be subject to
compliance by the Company and Optionee with all applicable requirements of
federal and state securities laws and with all applicable requirements of any
stock exchange on which the Company's Common Stock may be listed at the time of
such issuance or transfer. Optionee understands that the Company is under no
obligation to register or qualify the Shares with the SEC, any state securities
commission or any stock exchange to effect such compliance.

                6.       Nontransferability of Option. This Option may not be
                         ----------------------------
transferred in any manner other than under the terms and conditions of the Plan
or by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised
during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of this Option shall
be binding upon the executors, administrators, successors and assigns of
Optionee.

                7.       Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as
                         ----------------
of the date the Board adopted the Plan of some of the federal tax consequences
of exercise of this Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS
NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING
OF THE SHARES.

                         7.1      Exercise of Nonqualified Stock Option.  There
                                  -------------------------------------
may be a regular federal income tax liability upon the exercise of this Option.
Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at
ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value
of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. The Company may
be required to withhold from Optionee's compensation or collect from Optionee
and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of
this compensation income at the time of exercise.

                                       13

<PAGE>

                         7.2      Disposition of Shares.  If the Shares are held
                                  ---------------------
for more than twelve (12) months after the date of the transfer of the Shares
pursuant to the exercise of an NQSO, any gain realized on disposition of the
Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain. The Company may be required to
withhold from Optionee's compensation or collect from the Optionee and pay to
the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this
compensation income.

                8.       Privileges of Stock Ownership.  Optionee shall not have
                         -----------------------------
any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to any Shares until the Shares
are issued to Optionee.

                9.       Interpretation.  Any dispute regarding the
                         --------------
interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or the Company
to the Committee for review. The resolution of such a dispute by the Committee
shall be final and binding on the Company and Optionee.

                10.      Entire Agreement. The Plan is incorporated herein by
                         ----------------
reference. This Agreement and the Plan and the Exercise Agreement constitute the
entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings and agreements with
respect to such subject matter.

                11.      Notices. Any notice required to be given or delivered
                         -------
to the Company under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and
addressed to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at its principal corporate
offices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to Optionee shall be in
writing and addressed to Optionee at the address indicated above or to such
other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the
Company. All notices shall be deemed to have been given or delivered upon:
personal delivery; three (3) days after deposit in the United States mail by
certified or registered mail (return receipt requested); one (1) business day
after deposit with any return receipt express courier (prepaid); or one (1)
business day after transmission by facsimile.

                12.      Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of
                         ----------------------
its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the
restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon
Optionee and Optionee's heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives,
successors and assigns.

                13.      Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
                         -------------
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California,
without regard to that body of law pertaining to choice of law or conflict of
law.

                14.      Acceptance. Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a
                         ----------
copy of the Plan and this Agreement. Optionee has read and understands the terms
and provisions thereof, and accepts this Option subject to all the terms and
conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. Optionee acknowledges that there may
be adverse tax consequences upon exercise of this Option or disposition of the
Shares and that the Company has advised Optionee to consult a tax advisor prior
to such exercise or disposition.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed in duplicate by its duly authorized representative and Optionee has
executed this Agreement in duplicate as of the Date of Grant.

VERISIGN, INC.                                    OPTIONEE

By:  _________________________________       ___________________________________
                                                  (Signature)

______________________________________       ___________________________________
(Please print name)                               (Please print name)

______________________________________
(Please print title)

                                       14