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Live ID will be required for nearly all of Microsoft's software and services going forward. Microsoft announced this week that its Passport system, which allows customers to use one login name to access many websites and online stores, will be going through an upgrade. While some have predicted that Passport will be axed, the case isn't so. Instead, Passport will be highly integrated into Microsoft's Live platform.

The new service, called Live ID, will coexist and be used with such other services as Xbox Live, Windows Live, Office Live, and other Microsoft online services such as MSN. Unfortunately however, privacy groups are complaining once again that any type of singular login such as Passport, pose a great security risk for end users. With Live IDs being required for nearly all of Microsoft's services and products going forward, tracking customer behaviors and actions, and linking everything back to a user's Windows install will be easier than ever -- for both Microsoft and its cooperatives.