Microsoft says it's working to offer better security for users of its Outlook.com web-mail service, but don't expect two-factor authentication, like on Gmail. Instead, Microsoft wants to offer a "strong solution" that won't be as inconvenient for users.
Outlook.com is currently in preview and doesn't offer Google's optional two-factor authentication, which requires both the account password and to be in possession of the user's phone in order to sign into a Google account on an unrecognized computer.
When asked about security, a spokeperson for Microsoft said Outlook.com "requires strong passwords" and offers single-use codes.
Single-use codes are codes users can have sent to their phone via text message (as long as that phone is already associated with the user's account) that can be used to sign in to an account without needing the password. That way, a user can sign in on a public computer without worrying that a keylogger might capture the account's password.
However, the spokesperson said Microsoft was "putting a lot of investment and R&D" into more security while the site is in preview, with the goal of finding a more convenient option that two-factor authentication, which requires using both confirmation codes and alternative passwords for apps.
The rep said it looked at two-factor authentication but chose not to offer the service since it found that only a small number of Gmail users actually use it. Microsoft's goal is "to find a strong solution that everyone can use, vs. just the 1% of users that figure out how to navigate a bunch of additional setup options," the spokesperson said.
Asked how many users had turned on the two-factor feature, a Google spokesperson said: "we have millions of 2-step verification users, and thousands more enroll every day."
Recently, Gmail's two-factor authentication has received a lot of attention due to the "epic hacking" of Wired reporter Mat Honan, who had his phone, tablet and laptop taken over and wiped by hackers. One of the ways the hackers got access to Honan's accounts, and thus his devices, was because he had not activated two-factor authentication on his Gmail account.
What sort of security solution would you like to see Microsoft implement in Outlook.com? Have your say in the comments.
BONUS: A Review of Outlook.com
This is the new Hotmail, which is now officially called Outlook (it had the label "NewMail" in the preview). Outlook changes the design and layout of Hotmail to bring it more in line with the minimalist design aesthetic of Windows 8 Metro, emphasizing straight lines, thin fonts and white space.
With no message selected, the only "action" item available is to compose a new message. Also note the text ads to the right of the Inbox.
This is what Hotmail looks like today -- what Outlook is evolving from. Although it's gotten many more features in the last few years, Hotmail has had the same overall look for over a decade. It's traditionally generated revenue via display ads, which Microsoft is abandoning with Outlook.
When you select a message, you get a suite of action items at the top, and the ads at right will change.
When you mouse over any of the ads at the right, an image pops up.
When you select an email that's from another person (as opposed to a newsletter or notification), the ads at right disappear, replaced by links to the person's Facebook and Twitter profiles as well as the person's latest updates.
You can switch back to Hotmail at any time. And of course your Hotmail address will continue to work for both sending and replying.
When you compose a message, a list of contacts you email the most often appears, along with their Facebook photos (assuming you've connected the service).
You can call up a chat Window at any time by clicking the speech balloon at the top. Microsoft also says Skype will be integrated, although it wasn't available during the preview.
If you have a Hotmail Plus account, that still works with Outlook, and you won't see any ads, ever. The right side is blank in your regular view, and when you click on a newsletter, you'll simply see the option to search for the sender on Bing.
As with Hotmail, you can move the reading pane to the right side of the window.
This is the new Hotmail, which is now officially called Outlook (it had the label "NewMail" in the preview). Outlook changes the design and layout of Hotmail to bring it more in line with the minimalist design aesthetic of Windows 8 Metro, emphasizing straight lines, thin fonts and white space.
With no message selected, the only "action" item available is to compose a new message. Also note the text ads to the right of the Inbox.
This is what Hotmail looks like today -- what Outlook is evolving from. Although it's gotten many more features in the last few years, Hotmail has had the same overall look for over a decade. It's traditionally generated revenue via display ads, which Microsoft is abandoning with Outlook.
When you select a message, you get a suite of action items at the top, and the ads at right will change.
When you mouse over any of the ads at the right, an image pops up.
When you select an email that's from another person (as opposed to a newsletter or notification), the ads at right disappear, replaced by links to the person's Facebook and Twitter profiles as well as the person's latest updates.
You can switch back to Hotmail at any time. And of course your Hotmail address will continue to work for both sending and replying.
When you compose a message, a list of contacts you email the most often appears, along with their Facebook photos (assuming you've connected the service).
You can call up a chat Window at any time by clicking the speech balloon at the top. Microsoft also says Skype will be integrated, although it wasn't available during the preview.
If you have a Hotmail Plus account, that still works with Outlook, and you won't see any ads, ever. The right side is blank in your regular view, and when you click on a newsletter, you'll simply see the option to search for the sender on Bing.
As with Hotmail, you can move the reading pane to the right side of the window.
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