I don't know about you, but I was having some problems getting Hotmail in my browser this weekend. Something gave me the idea that it was being worked on in some way. Anyway, it turns out that Microsoft had actually disabled part of the website during this time, because they discovered that there was a potentially very nasty flaw, and one that would have allowed an attacker to gain access to Hotmail accounts. And you can bet there are plenty of people who would like to do that.
Hotmail customers are no longer at risk, according to Microsoft. "The 'I Love Messenger' Web site has been disabled," the company representative said in an e-mail statement. The site, which hosts emoticons, display pictures and backgrounds for MSN Messenger, Microsoft's free instant messaging service, will be restored once the issue has been resolved, the company said. On Monday afternoon PT, the I Love Messenger Web address was redirecting users to the main MSN Messenger Web site.