Mail password crypto mechanism

I'd like to open a thread concerning Mail Password issues.

I haven't been able to find a resource to describe the Mail password
mechanism. I believe/hope there will be a (crypto) API that will simply take
a string and replace it with or otherwise provide an encrypted password. No
knowledge of a key or anything else at the developer's end required.

Is there such? Something else? Code samples, White papers, Vista Beta Mail
contacts?

Rhetoric: How would such an API expose MS?

Aside: links to ANY detailed Microsoft Mail API's and objects and libraries
are warmly welcomed!

--
Thanks so much,

george

_________________________
George S. Lockwood
Lead Client Developer
peoplePC, an EarthLink company