In
computer security,
logging in, (or
logging on or
signing in or
signing on), is the process by which an individual gains
access to a
computer system by
identifying and
authenticating themselves. The
user credentials are typically some form of "username" and a matching "password", and these credentials themselves are sometimes referred to as
a login, (or
a logon or
a sign in or
a sign on). In practice, modern secure systems also often require a
second factor for extra security.