Microsoft has bolstered the security feature of its Hotmail service to allow stolen e-mail accounts to be regained by their owners.

Hotmail senior product manager Dan Lewis said a new way to reset account password was added. Aside from giving an alternate e-mail address and answering a secret question, users can set one or more trusted PCs or a mobile phone number as proof of ownership of a Hotmail account. A hijacked account can then be reopened with the original user just logging in from one of the indicated PCs or entering the mobile phone number as proof.

If the mobile phone number is used as proof to reset the password, an SMS message containing the unlocking code will be sent to the number.

Lewis said the additional security feature will allow users to regain stolen accounts because hackers won't be able to know their trusted PCs or mobile phone number.

To activate the additional password security feature, Hotmail users must install Windows Live Essentials, a free application suite downloadable from Microsoft's website.

Adding the additional proofs is done by clicking "Options" in the upper right of the Hotmail screen and selecting "More options..." from the drop-down menu. From there, click "View and edit personal information" under the subheading of "Mange your account" and then add the proofs under "Password reset information."