What Is Microsoft Passport Network?

Microsoft Passport Network has gone through several name changes.

Microsoft Passport Network is a program operated by Microsoft that focuses on logging their users into all of their accounts at one time, under one name. Microsoft Passport Network is an ongoing project and has had its name, programming and features changed multiple times.

Microsoft Passport Network

Microsoft Passport Network is the project owned by Microsoft that has formerly been known as Microsoft Wallet, Microsoft Passport and .NET Passport. As of July 2010, this product is known as Windows Live ID and is still receiving regular updates. The product is most widely known as being a tool on MSN or Microsoft System Network.

What Does Microsoft Passport Network Do?

Microsoft Passport Network allows users to sign onto multiple Microsoft-run websites and programs with a single log-in user name and password at one time. This saves users from having to sign in multiple times or having to remember a handful of user names and passwords. Microsoft Passport Network will often sync with Microsoft System Networks messenger, signing their users into their Windows Live account when they sign into their Microsoft instant messenger service.

Who Uses Microsoft Passport Network

Nearly all Microsoft-owned and Microsoft-operated websites and programs use Microsoft Passport Network, but they are not the only ones. The Xbox 360 and Xbox Live can also sync with players' Microsoft Passport Network accounts. Other non-Microsoft programs can also sync with Microsoft Passport Network such as Hoyts, and Hotmail. This allows for users to talk to one another from many different websites, applications, and in the case of the Xbox 360, platforms.

Microsoft Passport Network and Privacy

In June 2007, Microsoft fixed an error with Microsoft Passport Networks. The error was that Microsoft did not validate e-mails. This allowed people to create accounts for e-mails that they did not own or have access to, henceforth giving them access to other people's address books and allowing them to talk to others under false pretense that they were someone else. Microsoft fixed the error by requiring users to send a validation e-mail from the registered account before giving them access to the programs.

Mobility

Microsoft Passport Network offers users the access to their accounts from various types of mobile phones and applications. However, when you are accessing your Microsoft Passport Network through a mobile phone, your credentials or log-on information change from your sign-on and password to your mobile telephone number and a preset PIN number. Just like when registering a new Microsoft Passport Network, when you register a mobile phone, you will need to send a validation e-mail to prove that you are the owner of the account.

References

• Microsoft: Passport Network Privacy Supplement