After More Than a Decade, MSN Chat Authentication Is Documented (goo.gl)

An anonymous reader writes: After MSN Chat closed in 2003, and then again in 2006, some guy has finally documented the authentication system used — over a decade later! Developer Joshua Davison writes by way of explanation: I think it's important to document the challenge we (users, scripters, hackers) faced connecting to MSN Chat, which is the only known 'proper' implementation of IRCX v8.1 at this time. MSN Chat introduced a GateKeeper SASL authentication protocol, which implemented 'GateKeeper' and 'GateKeeperPassport' (not dissimilar to the widely documented NTLM authentication protocol, which was also implemented as NTLM, and NTMLPassport) The GateKeeper Security Support Provider (GKSSP) functioned in two ways; allowing a user to login with a Microsoft Account (Previously known as Microsoft Passport, .NET Passport, Microsoft Passport Network, and Windows Live ID), and also allowed guest authentication for users without, or not willing to use a Microsoft Account. While most users didn't need or want to understand how the protocol worked, there were many of us who did, and many that just preferred to use MSN Chat outside of the browser.

Comments

I can finally

[The-Ixian]

finish my MSN chat client... *doh*

Seriously though, why in the crap did MS kill MSN messenger? It was actually pretty popular and it worked well. It was the only reason I kept an active Hotmail account for many years (now the MSA useful again with Windows 8/10 and Windows Phone).

Skype chat is just horrid in comparison...

I have used Trillian for years and continue to use it to interface with FB, AIM and GTalk.

Re:IMs

[U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M]

Who said anything about "libpurple"? I'm asking why Google and Microsoft don't support other protocols, compared to Apple who people keep saying are a "closed garden".