14 DAY TRIAL // The evolution of Windows Live Hotmail to the Wave 4 release brings to the table a variety of enhancements, with security being a top priority for Microsoft. In May 2010, the Redmond company made public the improvements introduced to the next iteration of its email service that kick up a notch Hotmail’s spam-fighting capabilities. But there are additional security features introduced in Windows Live Hotmail Wave 4, which users will be able to start enjoying later this summer when Microsoft finishes rolling up the successor of Wave 3.
“Account recovery - the new security platform elements we've built up around Hotmail now enable you to use your cell phone or other items as proof of account ownership. For example, if you lose your password, or, worse, if your account gets compromised, we can now send you an account recapture code via SMS to regain access to your account,” John Scarrow, general manager - Safety Services, revealed.
Windows Live Hotmail Wave 4 will enable users to take advantage of full-session SSL. This means that Microsoft will be offering SSL encryption not just at login, but also throughout the duration of the session. This will be valid for all Windows Live Hotmail Wave 4 accounts, which will support the option to maintain SSL encryption between users and Microsoft as long as they are logged in to Hotmail.
“Single-use codes - this new security feature is designed to further protect you when you sign in from a public computer, such as those found in internet cafés, airports, and coffee shops. When you request a single-use code, the code is sent via SMS to the phone number associated with your Windows Live ID. It acts as a one-time substitute for your password. By using a single-use code, you won't have to type your password into a public computer, thereby helping to prevent it from being stolen by key loggers and the like,” Scarrow added.
At the same time, Microsoft is ready to tackle social engineering schemes that use spam to spread. Via the new Trusted Senders feature, Hotmail Wave 4 will deliver visual identifiers of trusted senders in the inbox. In this regard, phishing attacks can be avoided, as Hotmail will highlight only messages from genuine banks and institutions that are being targeted in such attacks. “We put safety logos next to only those senders that we recognize as legitimate so that you can more easily spot malicious imitators,” Scarrow explained.