Now users of Microsoft’s Windows Live Hotmail, who number well over 350 million are capable of enhancing the security of their entire Hotmail session with HTTPS data encryption, via SSL, a feature which is already used to help bolster the Hotmail sign-in process. This update coincides with a series of recent security based improvements to the Hotmail service, which included the purging of hijackers from legitimate accounts that had been compromised and legal action against domains frequented by hijackers. It is hoped that the increased IT support will not only help to prevent hijackers gaining access to Hotmail login details, but ensure that in such a case a more secure recovery path will be available for you to regain control of your account.
Also included in the initiative are Windows Live SkyDrive, Photos, Docs, and Devices pages which will all automatically be equipped to transfer their data via HTTPS. Microsoft is hopeful that this overhaul will give users more confidence that their accounts will be secure as popularity in rival email services, particularly Google’s Gmail continues to grow.
To activate HTTPS security for your Hotmail account go to your account live login and search for Manage SSL. Once this feature is enabled all of the connections you make in future will be delivered by SSL. The upgrade does not cover all connections though, including Outlook Hotmail Connector, Windows Live Mail and Windows Live app for Windows Mobile.
Once the changes have been in use for a reasonable period and proven stable Windows may decide to make HTTPS encryption a default setting for Hotmail Live accounts. The update has not been without its bugs though, with some customers complaining that they are having trouble accessing their mailbox