Microsoft account

Last updated

Microsoft account
Microsoft Account Logo.svg
Type of site
 Single sign-on
Owner Microsoft
URL account.microsoft.com
RegistrationRequired
(18+ since 2012 for Windows Phone, 2013 for Xbox and 2015 for Windows 10, users 13-17 years of age must be linked to a parent's account)

A Microsoft account or MSA [1] (previously known as Microsoft Passport, [2] .NET Passport, and Windows Live ID) is a single sign-on personal user account for Microsoft customers to log in to consumer [3] [4] Microsoft services (like Outlook.com), devices running on one of Microsoft's current operating systems (e.g. Microsoft Windows computers and tablets, Xbox consoles), and Microsoft application software (including Visual Studio).

Contents

Overview

Microsoft account allows users to sign into websites that support this service using a single set of credentials - these usernames are in the same form as an email address. Microsoft account offers a user two different methods for creating an account:

  1. Use an existing e-mail address: Users are able to use their own valid e-mail address to sign up for a Microsoft account. The service turns the requesting user's e-mail address into a Microsoft account ID. Users may also choose a password of their own choice.
  2. Sign up for a Microsoft e-mail address: Users can also sign up for a free e-mail account through Outlook.com or MSN, with Microsoft's webmail services designated domains (i.e. @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, @msn.com [lower-alpha 1] ) that can be used as a Microsoft account to sign into other Microsoft account-enabled websites.

The domains @live.com and @passport.com are discontinued but maintained.

Microsoft websites, services, and apps such as Bing, MSN and Xbox Live use Microsoft account as a means of identifying users. There are also several other companies that use it, such as the Hoyts website which is hosted by NineMSN.

Windows XP and later has an option to link a local Windows user account with a Microsoft account, thus automatically logging users in to their Microsoft account whenever a service is accessed. Starting with Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, Windows allows users to directly authenticate into their PCs using their Microsoft account rather than a local or domain user. [5]

Login methods

In addition to using an account password, users can login to their Microsoft account by accepting a mobile notification sent to a mobile device with Microsoft Authenticator, a FIDO2 security token or by using Windows Hello. [6] Users can also set up two-factor authentication by getting a time-based, single-use code by text, phone call or using an authenticator app.

Technical details

Users' credentials are not checked by Microsoft account-enabled websites, but by a Microsoft account authentication server. A new user signing into a Microsoft account-enabled website is first redirected to the nearest authentication server, which asks for username and password over an SSL connection. The user may select to have their computer remember their login: a newly signed-in user has an encrypted time-limited cookie stored on their computer and receives a triple DES encrypted ID-tag that previously has been agreed upon between the authentication server and the Microsoft account-enabled website. This ID-tag is then sent to the website, upon which the website plants another encrypted HTTP cookie in the user's computer, also time-limited. As long as these cookies are valid, the user is not required to supply a username and password. If the user actively logs out of their Microsoft account, these cookies will be removed.

Relationship with work or school account

Microsoft also offer a work or school account which are set up by an administrator as part of an organization. These accounts are separate from Microsoft accounts (which is also called personal account) and cannot be merged, but may be used side-by-side by a user. [7] [8] A work or school account uses the Azure Active Directory domain platform. [9]

History

Microsoft Passport, the predecessor to Windows Live ID, was originally positioned as a single sign-on service for all web commerce. Microsoft Passport received much criticism. A prominent critic was Kim Cameron, the author of The Laws of Identity, [10] who questioned Microsoft Passport in its violations of those laws. He then joined Microsoft in 1999 after his company was acquired and was its chief architect of access and identity until his 2019 retirement, helping to address those violations in the design of the Microsoft Account identity meta-system. As a consequence, Microsoft Accounts are not positioned as the single sign-on service for all web commerce, but as one choice of many among identity systems.

In December 1999, Microsoft neglected to pay their annual $35 "passport.com" domain registration fee to Network Solutions. The oversight made Hotmail, which used the site for authentication, unavailable on December 24. A Linux consultant, Michael Chaney, paid it the next day (Christmas), hoping it would solve this issue with the downed site. The payment resulted in the site being available the next morning. [11] In Autumn 2003, a similar good Samaritan helped Microsoft when they missed payment on the "hotmail.co.uk" address, although no downtime resulted. [12]

In 2001, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's staff attorney Deborah Pierce criticized Microsoft Passport as a potential threat to privacy after it was revealed that Microsoft would have full access to and usage of customer information. [13] The privacy terms were quickly updated by Microsoft to allay customers' fears.

In July and August 2001, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and a coalition of fourteen leading consumer groups filed complaints [14] with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleging that the Microsoft Passport system violated Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA), which prohibits unfair or deceptive practices in trade. [15]

Microsoft had pushed for non-Microsoft entities to create an Internet-wide unified-login system. [16] Examples of sites that used Microsoft Passport were eBay and Monster.com, but in 2004 those agreements were canceled. [17] In August 2009, Expedia sent notice out stating they no longer support Microsoft Passport / Windows Live ID.

In 2012, Windows Live ID was renamed Microsoft account. [18] [19]

Features

Screenshot of Microsoft account overview page Microsoft Account.png
Screenshot of Microsoft account overview page

Microsoft account is the website for users to manage their identity. Features of a Microsoft account include:

Integrated with

The following is a list of computer programs and web services that support using Microsoft Account as the credentials required for the authentication process.

Web authentication

On August 15, 2007, Microsoft released the Windows Live ID Web Authentication SDK, enabling web developers to integrate Windows Live ID into their websites running on a broad range of web server platforms - including ASP.NET (C#), Java, Perl, PHP, Python and Ruby. [20] [21]

Support for OpenID

On October 27, 2008, Microsoft announced that it was publicly committed to supporting the OpenID framework, with Windows Live ID becoming an OpenID provider. [22] This would allow users to use their Windows Live ID to sign into any website that supports OpenID authentication. There had been no update on Microsoft's planned implementation of OpenID since August 2009, [23] however since November 2013 Microsoft have publicly participated in OpenID Connect interoperability testing. [24] [25]

Security vulnerabilities

On June 17, 2007, Erik Duindam, a web developer in the Netherlands, reported a privacy and identity risk, saying a "critical error was made by Microsoft programmers that allows everyone to create an ID for virtually any e-mail address." [26] A procedure was found to allow users to register invalid or currently used e-mail addresses. Upon registration with a valid e-mail address, an e-mail verification link was sent to the user. Before using it however, the user was allowed to change the e-mail address to one that did not exist, or to an e-mail address currently used by someone else. The verification link then caused the Windows Live ID system to confirm the account as having a verified email address. That flaw was fixed two days later, on June 19, 2007. [27]

On April 20, 2012, Microsoft fixed a flaw in Hotmail's password reset system that allowed anyone to reset the password of any Hotmail account. The company was notified of the flaw by researchers at Vulnerability Lab on the same day [28] and responded with a fix within hours — but not before widespread attacks as the exploitation technique spread quickly across the Internet. [29] [30]

On December 3, 2015, a security researcher discovered a vulnerability in the Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) software used on signout.live.com and reported it to the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC). This vulnerability enabled full-administrative access to the AEM Publish nodes' OSGi console and made it possible to execute code inside of the JVM through the upload of a custom OSGi bundle. The vulnerability was confirmed to have been resolved on May 3, 2016. [31]

See also

Other identity services

Identity management

Related Research Articles

Kerberos is a computer-network authentication protocol that works on the basis of tickets to allow nodes communicating over a non-secure network to prove their identity to one another in a secure manner. Its designers aimed it primarily at a client–server model, and it provides mutual authentication—both the user and the server verify each other's identity. Kerberos protocol messages are protected against eavesdropping and replay attacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Email client</span> Computer program used to access and manage a users email

An email client, email reader or, more formally, message user agent (MUA) or mail user agent is a computer program used to access and manage a user's email.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft Outlook</span> Email and calendaring software

Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager software system from Microsoft, available as a part of the Microsoft 365 software suites. Though primarily being popular as an email client for businesses, Outlook also includes functions such as calendaring, task managing, contact managing, note-taking, journal logging, web browsing, and RSS news aggregation.

Internet security is a branch of computer security. It encompasses the Internet, browser security, web site security, and network security as it applies to other applications or operating systems as a whole. Its objective is to establish rules and measures to use against attacks over the Internet. The Internet is an inherently insecure channel for information exchange, with high risk of intrusion or fraud, such as phishing, online viruses, trojans, ransomware and worms.

Single sign-on (SSO) is an authentication scheme that allows a user to log in with a single ID to any of several related, yet independent, software systems.

Identity management (IdM), also known as identity and access management, is a framework of policies and technologies to ensure that the right users have the appropriate access to technology resources. IdM systems fall under the overarching umbrellas of IT security and data management. Identity and access management systems not only identify, authenticate, and control access for individuals who will be utilizing IT resources but also the hardware and applications employees need to access.

Self-service password reset (SSPR) is defined as any process or technology that allows users who have either forgotten their password or triggered an intruder lockout to authenticate with an alternate factor, and repair their own problem, without calling the help desk. It is a common feature in identity management software and often bundled in the same software package as a password synchronization capability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OpenID</span> Open and decentralized authentication protocol standard

OpenID is an open standard and decentralized authentication protocol promoted by the non-profit OpenID Foundation. It allows users to be authenticated by co-operating sites using a third-party identity provider (IDP) service, eliminating the need for webmasters to provide their own ad hoc login systems, and allowing users to log in to multiple unrelated websites without having to have a separate identity and password for each. Users create accounts by selecting an OpenID identity provider, and then use those accounts to sign on to any website that accepts OpenID authentication. Several large organizations either issue or accept OpenIDs on their websites.

Microsoft Notification Protocol is an instant messaging protocol developed by Microsoft for use by the Microsoft Messenger service and the instant messaging clients that connect to it, such as Skype since 2014, and the earlier Windows Live Messenger, MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger, and Microsoft Messenger for Mac. Third-party clients such as Pidgin and Trillian can also communicate using the protocol. MSNP was first used in a publicly available product with the first release of MSN Messenger in 1999.

MSN Chat was the Microsoft Network version of IRCX, which replaced Microsoft Chat, a set of Exchange-based IRCX servers first available in the Microsoft Comic Chat client, although Comic Chat was not required to connect.

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OAuth is an open standard for access delegation, commonly used as a way for internet users to grant websites or applications access to their information on other websites but without giving them the passwords. This mechanism is used by companies such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Twitter to permit users to share information about their accounts with third-party applications or websites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outlook.com</span> Microsoft webmail service

Outlook.com, formerly Hotmail, is a free personal email service offered by Microsoft. This includes a webmail interface featuring mail, calendaring, contacts, and tasks services. Outlook can also be accessed via email clients using the IMAP or POP protocols.

Apple ID is a user account by Apple for their devices and software. Apple IDs contain the user's personal data and settings. When an Apple ID is used to log in to an Apple device, the device will automatically use the data and settings associated with the Apple ID.

SAP Logon Tickets represent user credentials in SAP systems. When enabled, users can access multiple SAP applications and services through SAP GUI and web browsers without further username and password inputs from the user. SAP Logon Tickets can also be a vehicle for enabling single sign-on across SAP boundaries; in some cases, logon tickets can be used to authenticate into 3rd party applications such as Microsoft-based web applications.

Mozilla Persona was a decentralized authentication system for the web, based on the open BrowserID protocol prototyped by Mozilla and standardized by IETF. It was launched in July 2011, but after failing to achieve traction, Mozilla announced in January 2016 plans to decommission the service by the end of the year.

A mailbox provider, mail service provider or, somewhat improperly, email service provider is a provider of email hosting. It implements email servers to send, receive, accept, and store email for other organizations or end users, on their behalf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MSN Dial-up</span> Internet service provide operated by Microsoft

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Passwordless authentication is an authentication method in which a user can log in to a computer system without the entering a password or any other knowledge-based secret. In most common implementations users are asked to enter their public identifier and then complete the authentication process by providing a secure proof of identity through a registered device or token.

References

  1. ↑ "Upcoming changes to Windows 10 Insider Preview builds [UPDATED 6/22]". Windows Experience Blog. June 19, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  2. ↑ Microsoft Passport: Streamlining Commerce and Communication on the Web
  3. ↑ "What's the difference between a personal Microsoft account and a work or school account?". TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  4. ↑ "What is my user ID and why do I need it for Office 365 for business? - Microsoft Support". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Windows 8: The official review". PCWorld. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  6. ↑ Warren, Tom (November 20, 2018). "You can now sign into a Microsoft Account without a password using a security key". The Verge . Vox Media . Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Why you need a Microsoft account, or work or school account with Microsoft 365 or Office - Microsoft Support". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Which account do you want to use? - Microsoft Support". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  9. ↑ "What's the difference between a personal Microsoft account and a work or school account?". TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  10. ↑ Cameron, Kim (May 2005). "The Laws of Identity". Microsoft . Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  11. ↑ Chaney, Michael (January 27, 2000). "The Passport Payment" . Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  12. ↑ Richardson, Tim (November 6, 2003). "Microsoft forgets to renew hotmail". The Register . Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  13. ↑ Privacy terms revised for Microsoft Passport
  14. ↑ http://www.epic.org/privacy/consumer/MS_complaint.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  15. ↑ EPIC: Microsoft Passport Investigation Docket, http://epic.org/privacy/consumer/microsoft/passport.html
  16. ↑ Microsoft had pushed for non-Microsoft entities
  17. ↑ Microsoft Passport Dumped By Ebay
  18. ↑ Windows 8 Consumer Preview - FAQ
  19. ↑ "What is a Microsoft account?". Microsoft. Retrieved August 2, 2012. Microsoft account" is the new name for what used to be called a "Windows Live ID.
  20. ↑ LiveSide.net: Windows Live ID Web Authentication Is Final Archived October 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine July 16, 2007
  21. ↑ Live ID Team blog announcement: Windows Live ID Web Authentication SDK for Developers Is Released [ dead link ] July 15, 2007
  22. ↑ Windows Live ID Becomes an OpenID Provider
  23. ↑ Windows Live ID OpenID Status Update
  24. ↑ "Microsoft publicly participates in OpenID Connect interoperability testing".
  25. ↑ "Microsoft 365 documentation".
  26. ↑ "Windows Live ID security breached" on erikduindam.com
  27. ↑ Microsoft Windows Live Flaw Opened Door to Scammers Archived May 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  28. ↑ "Microsoft MSN Hotmail - Password Reset & Setup Vulnerability". Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  29. ↑ Twitter / @msftsecresponse: On Friday we addressed a reset function incident to help protect Hotmail customers, no action needed
  30. ↑ Bright, Peter (April 27, 2012). "Microsoft patches major Hotmail 0-day flaw after apparently widespread exploitation". Ars Technica . Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Remote Code Execution (RCE) on Microsoft's 'signout.live.com'"
  1. ↑ @msn.com addresses are only offered to MSN Dial-up and MSN Premium customers

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