AfterDawn: Tech news

Hotmail to ban common passwords like 'password'

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 18 Jul 2011 1:31 User comments (3)

Hotmail to ban common passwords like 'password' Microsoft will soon change its Hotmail password policy, banning common passwords like "password."
Outside of blocking passwords like "password" and "123456," Microsoft will also block common terms like "ilovecats."

For now, the new policy will only be for new accounts but will likely extend to all existing accounts in the future.

Additionally, Hotmail will add a new feature that allows you to report if your friend's account has been hacked (if say, perhaps they send you spam). Their account will then be blocked to stop the hacker from using and your friend will go through an account recovery process to regain access to the account.

For more information on passwords, read our report from February: How secure is your password?

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3 user comments

118.7.2011 13:53

I feel like a lot of places do this already. Way to play catch up MS.

218.7.2011 17:57
pyrtrumpet375
Unverified new user

people still use hotmail??

319.7.2011 23:47

LOL ilovecats

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