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Is Live.com Safe?

Is Live.com Safe?

Laura Martisiute

January 31, 2025

Reading time: 6 minutes

If you use or plan to use Live.com, you need to know: Is Live.com safe? 

Below, we explain whether Live.com is: 

  • Safe to use. 
  • Good for privacy. 

We also look at some steps you can take to improve both your safety and privacy when using this online service. 

What Is Live.com?

Live.com is a domain owned by Microsoft and is primarily associated with various online services provided by the company. 

Historically, Live.com was the central hub for Microsoft’s suite of web-based services under the “Windows Live” brand. This included email (Outlook.com, previously Hotmail), cloud storage (OneDrive), and other productivity tools like Office Online. 

The Live.com brand was part of Microsoft’s attempt to provide integrated, cloud-based experiences for users in the mid-2000s.

The Windows Live suite offered services like Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, and Windows Live Spaces. Over time, many of these services were rebranded or integrated into newer platforms. For instance, Windows Live Messenger was eventually replaced by Skype, and Hotmail became Outlook.com. 

While the “Live” branding has faded from prominence, the domain (Live.com) still redirects users to key Microsoft services, particularly the Outlook login page, where users can log in to manage their email accounts. 

Live.com

Is Live.com Safe?

Yes, Live.com is safe in the sense that it is a legitimate domain owned and operated by Microsoft, a reputable technology company. 

Microsoft uses industry-standard security measures, including encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and continuous systems monitoring to protect users’ personal information and ensure secure communication.

No data breaches have been associated with Live.com at the time of writing.

Is Live.com Private?

Live.com, like other Microsoft services, offers a reasonable level of privacy protection, but how private it is depends on your specific needs and understanding of Microsoft’s data practices. 

Microsoft provides users with tools to manage their privacy, like reviewing and deleting collected data, managing advertising preferences, and controlling how their data is used across different Microsoft services.

However, Microsoft does collect certain types of data from Live.com users, including personal information, device information, and usage data. This information may be used for service improvement, targeted advertising, and other business purposes. 

Terms of Service; Didn’t Read (ToS;DR), a project that rates internet services’ terms of service and privacy policies, gives Microsoft a “Grade E.” 

Microsoft Services - Terms of Service; Didn't Read (Grade E).

The top concerts listed include the following:

  • Microsoft can delete specific content without notice or reason.
  • It may collect, use, and share location data.
  • It collects many different types of personal data.
  • It can delete your account without notice or reason.
  • It collects information about you through third parties.

On the plus side, ToS;DR says that users can request access and deletion of personal data and turn on two-factor authentication for their accounts. Users can also opt out of targeted advertising. 

How to Improve Your Safety and Privacy On Live.com

Follow the below steps for a safer and more private experience when using Live.com. 

  • Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Turn on 2FA for your Microsoft account to add an extra layer of security. With 2FA on, even if someone gets your password, they would also need access to your phone or authenticator app to log in. You can turn on 2FA by going to your Microsoft Account security settings and setting up an additional verification method, such as an SMS code or authenticator app.
  • Manage privacy settings in the Microsoft Dashboard. Visit the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard to view and manage the data Microsoft collects about you. From here, you can delete search history, location data, and other personal information stored on your account. You can access the privacy dashboard by logging into your Microsoft account and navigating to the “Privacy” section.
  • Review and limit data collection. Turn off data collection options in your Microsoft account settings. You can prevent Microsoft from collecting diagnostic and usage data, which is often used for improving services but can also be used for targeted advertising. In the Settings menu, under “Privacy” and “Diagnostics & feedback,” set data collection to “Basic” to limit the amount of information shared with Microsoft.
  • Turn off targeted ads. Microsoft uses your activity across its services for targeted ads. You can reduce this by opting out of personalized ads. Go to your privacy settings and look for the “Ad Settings” section, where you can opt out of receiving personalized ads based on your account usage. Additionally, turn off ad personalization across the web by turning off “Interest-based ads” from the Microsoft Advertising Preferences page.
  • Encrypt sensitive emails. If you’re sending sensitive information, use email encryption. Microsoft provides an encryption option in Outlook, which helps protect the contents of your messages from being intercepted by unauthorized parties. When composing a message in Outlook, you can select the “Encrypt” option in the toolbar to apply encryption to your email.
  • Use a strong and unique password. Create a strong, unique password for your Microsoft account, and don’t reuse passwords across multiple services. Consider using a password manager to help you create and store complex passwords.
  • Turn off unnecessary app access. Review which third-party apps and services have access to your Microsoft account, and revoke access for any apps you don’t use or trust. You can do this from your account security settings by managing “Connected apps and services.”
  • Regularly review security activity. Regularly check your account’s security activity to ensure there aren’t any unauthorized logins or suspicious activity. This can be done via the Recent Activity page in your Microsoft Account security settings. If you notice anything unusual, update your password immediately and turn on 2FA if it’s not already activated.
  • Log out after each session. If you’re using Live.com on a shared or public computer, always log out after your session and avoid using “Keep me signed in” to reduce the likelihood of strangers accessing your emails. 
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Laura Martisiute is DeleteMe’s content marketing specialist. Her job is to help DeleteMe communicate vital privacy information to the people that need it. Since joining DeleteMe in 2020, Laura h…
Laura Martisiute is DeleteMe’s content marketing specialist. Her job is to help DeleteMe communicate vital privacy information to the people that need it. Since joining DeleteMe in 2020, Laura h…
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