Hotmail

Free provider of World Wide Web-based e-mail. It was acquired by Microsoft in 1997 and forms part of the Microsoft Network (MSN). By using a Web browser as a universal e-mail program, Hotmail eliminated the differences that existed between different e-mail programs.

Hotmail accounts can be accessed from any computer connected to the Internet. One of the disadvantages to this method is that the user must remain online whilst reading and writing e-mails. There have also been a number of security scares, where hackers have broken into the system. As with many e-mail systems, users are also often subjected to spam (unsolicited e-mail advertisements).