Just learned something new. Hum ...you would say that is usual, what is new ???. Agreed.
When online and going through certain website or web application or cloud appliance, everyday , I get to learn one or two things new. And ofcourse I get brush up on previously grasped concepts. :)
As we are talking internet, web applications and cloud appliances, we are reaching out to different services for various purposes like managing social contacts, emails and calender as well as online banking, ticket booking, shopping etc. For each of these purpose, to maintain privacy and security, we have individual registration to each of these sites and we merrily remeber all those user id and passwords with certain security questions ( Identities ) .
Some sites now a days trying to give some relief of identity maintenance and provide alternate security mechanism like open id, google login, facebook connect and so forth.
Well, what I have learned today is about identity and how Windows Live manages it through Information Card.
Here is an excerpt from Microsoft about Information Card.
About Information Cards
Information Cards are downloadable digital certificates (An attachment to an electronic message or transaction that is used for security purposes. The most common use of a digital certificate is to verify that a user sending messages or information is who they claim to be and to provide the receiver with the means to encode a reply. Digital certificates are issued from a certificate authority.) that enable you to sign in to Windows Live ID sites and services without a password. Once these certificates are installed, you can sign in to multiple sites and services without needing to remember your Windows Live ID (The e-mail address and password that you use to sign in to Windows Live programs and services such as Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger; Microsoft services such as Xbox LIVE, MSN, and Office Live; and anywhere else that you see the Windows Live ID logo.) and password combination.
Notes
To use an Information Card, you must have Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 installed on your computer. If you don't have the correct version installed, you'll be prompted to download and install them before you can associate an Information Card with your Windows Live ID.
You can also use Windows CardSpace to manage your Information Cards.
,IS_Windows Live ID and Account Management , , sdarc_ofni info card space cookies certificate ssl secure sockets layer
These information cards are basically digital certificates and would be managed by Windows Cardspace on your devices.
These digital certificats are interesting in a way that these has been been targed for much more higher purpose than just identifying a single user on pleathora of Microsoft windows live services.
Just to provide a glimpse of the features, Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2 together could be used with these digital certificates for virtual private network and direct access to back office applications from your personal devices like netbooks, laptops, PCs and smart phones. :)
Well, I am going on further for next concept to learn from this every growing technology field...
Until then prepare your informaton cards with your data, picture and digital signature and enjoy... well...if you have a questions, comments, suggestions, ideas or knowledge bits, you know where to find me ...
