Microsoft’s Live Labs has launched two security-related Web-based services, one for providing authentication and another for connecting peer-to-peer (P-to-P) applications through network firewalls.The services are part of Microsoft’s plan to quickly deliver Web-based services to compete with rivals Google and Yahoo. Microsoft formed Live Labs, its research arm for creating these Internet technologies, in January. Microsoft has said many of its Live services will be connected to Windows Vista, the next version of its client OS, but has not clearly articulated a plan for how that makes the OS more valuable to users. The Security Token Service (STS) and the new Relay Service are available online. STS is an online identity-management service that enables users to register personal information on a virtual information card using Microsoft’s authentication service, code-named InfoCard. After signing up for STS, when users visit a site that is InfoCard-enabled, they can sign in to the site using information stored in the virtual card, according to Microsoft. Microsoft envisions InfoCard as a simple and secure authentication technology that will ultimately replace the name- and password-based systems used by most websites today. The company introduced the technology, which will be a part of Windows Vista, at the RSA Conference in February. Many see it as the latest incarnation of Microsoft’s Passport service, introduced several years ago as the company’s plan for users to authenticate themselves across multiple sites on the Web, which never was as widely used as Microsoft had hoped.The Relay Service allows services built using Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) to connect over P-to-P networks through security devices such as firewalls and network address translators (NATs). WCF is the underlying technology in Windows Vista that allows for different systems to connect and communicate using Web services. NATs hide the private addresses of the local network from the public address side attached to the Internet. To allow for applications to communicate via P-to-P networks now, developers typically write complex, custom code, a process that can be time consuming, according to Microsoft. The Relay Service provides communication infrastructure that eliminates the need to write this code to connect applications between networks that run firewalls or NATs, Microsoft said. — Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG News ServiceThis article is posted on our Microsoft Informer page. For more news on the Redmond, Wash.-based powerhouse, keep checking in.Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content feature The CIO’s new role: Orchestrator-in-chief CIOs have unique insight into everything that happens in a company. Some are using that insight to take on a more strategic role. By Minda Zetlin Dec 04, 2023 12 mins CIO CIO CIO opinion Fortifying the bridge between tech and business in the C-suite To be considered a tech-forward company today, there has to be a focus on tech fluency across the C-suite, which creates a unique opportunity for CIOs to uplevel their roles and expand their footprint across the enterprise. By Diana Bersohn and Rachel Barton Dec 04, 2023 7 mins CIO CIO CIO brandpost Sponsored by G42 Understanding the impact of AI on society, environment and economy By Jane Chan Dec 03, 2023 4 mins Artificial Intelligence opinion Website spoofing: risks, threats, and mitigation strategies for CIOs In this article, we take a look at how CIOs can tackle website spoofing attacks and the best ways to prevent them. By Yash Mehta Dec 01, 2023 5 mins CIO Cyberattacks Security Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe