<P> Microsoft had pushed for non-Microsoft entities to create an Internet - wide unified - login system . Examples of sites that used Microsoft Passport were eBay and Monster.com, but in 2004 those agreements were cancelled . In August 2009, Expedia sent notice out stating they no longer support Microsoft Passport / Windows Live ID . </P> <P> In 2012, Windows Live ID was renamed Microsoft account . </P> <P> Microsoft account allows users to sign into websites that support this service using a single set of credentials . 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 . </P> <P> Microsoft account offers a user two different methods for creating an account: </P>

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