Time to start work. So you “log on” to your computer, using your “logon” or “log-on,” or your user name.
The latter is a noun, the former a verb, and they have not yet fused into one word for both forms.
Here’s what The Associated Press Stylebook says:
login, logon, logoff (n.) But use as two words in verb form: I log in to my computer.
New words often come about when someone takes one form and starts using it another way, called a “back-formation.” Sometimes the noun leads the way: “Target,” for example, was acceptable only a noun as recently as the 1964 printing of the first edition of Webster’s New World College Dictionary. In the case of “log on,” the verb came before the noun.
Although “on” is often a preposition, in the verb “log on,” it’s an adverb. You wouldn’t say “I’m going to log the computer” unless you’re putting the computer on a list; the “on” is necessary to further explain the action. Another way to understand this is to make the verb another tense. Today you “log on,” but yesterday you “logged on.” No one is suggesting that this become “loggedon.” Yet.
If you add another preposition, by the way, it changes nothing: You still “log on to” your computer, not “log onto.” “Log” still needs its adverb, and “onto” and “into” are prepositions.
Sign up for CJR's daily email For now, the adverb “in” or “on” is separate in most dictionaries as well as in style and usage guides. But it’s likely to close ranks before too long, in present and future tense, at least, as ubiquitous terms have a habit of doing (see “online”). The trend is often accelerated when noun and verb forms differ; it’s so much easier to just write “underway” than to try to figure out what part of speech you’re using.
The noun, arriving later, is still struggling with different forms. Many people involved in the computer and tech industry already use “logon” as both noun and verb, but there’s no outside consensus yet. While the hyphen-averse AP has gone with one word, its dictionary, WWN5, has no noun forms. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary prefers “log-on” and “log-in,” while the American Heritage Dictionary sides with the AP.
A similar thing has happened with another recent back-formation, for a new company. It’s a “startup” in the AP stylebook, even though WWN5, M-W, and AmHer prefer “start-up.” What it does, though, is “start up.” That adverb again.
What’s the difference between “logging in” and “logging on”? Most dictionaries view them as synonyms, favoring the “on” form, even though it’s newer than the “in” form. (M-W traces “log in” to 1962 and “log on” to 1977; The Oxford English Dictionary traces “log in” to 1963. For many people, though, there’s a subtle distinction. Just as one has to go through a surface to get to the inside, some view “logging on” as an initial, broader act. Once “logged on” to a computer or network, they want to “log in” to a particular site or area of the network.
For most people, though, the distinction doesn’t matter as long as they remember all their passwords.
Merrill Perlman managed copy desks across the newsroom at the New York Times, where she worked for twenty-five years. Follow her on Twitter at @meperl.
FAQs
In computer security, logging in (or logging on, signing in, or signing on) is the process by which an individual gains access to a computer system or program by identifying and authenticating themselves.
Is it logon or log on? ›
When used as a noun or adjective, the term should be one word, as in "the user logon" or "the logon procedure." When used as a verb, the term should be two words, as in "you must log on" or "the user is still logged on." The term login follows the same guidelines.
What is logon used for? ›
A user logs on to a system to gain access to the computer and the files on the network. In Windows, there are several ways a logon can occur locally, and remotely. System admins need to keep track of the logon types to be abreast of any security vulnerabilities in the organization's network.
Should I say login or log in? ›
The essential is to remember that "log in" is a verb and "login" is a noun or an adjective.
What is benefit of login? ›
This is all to protect your data from from access by an unauthorized individual. So let's say that you want to restrict access to parts of your web site to only authorized individuals, its only for your family. A login is used to ensure that.
What is the purpose of login authentication? ›
User authentication helps to identify verified users and allows them to access accounts and networks securely. It's a safety mechanism created to block unauthorized users or cybercriminals from accessing sensitive data and resources.
What is the meaning of to log on? ›
phrasal verb. log in/on (to something) (computing) to perform the actions that allow you to begin using a computer system, application or online account. You need a password to log on.
What is a logon account? ›
The logon account determines the security identity of the service at run time, that is, the service's primary security context. The security context determines the service's ability to access local and network resources.
What is logon ID or login? ›
Logon ID means a username and password that enables an Authorised User to access the Solution. Logon ID means the unique identification, login and password details for each Authorised User that are provided to the Supplier by FCL. Logon ID . Unique user identification for log on.
Why do we need login information? ›
A login credential is a set of unique identifiers–such as a username and password–that enables a user to verify identity in order to log in to an online account. Failure to use secure passwords negates cybersecurity software and tools like firewalls and virtual private networks (VPNs).
Most web applications use login pages as a way to secure the application and authenticate application users. A login page specifies the login URL in a web application that users must pass through to get to the authenticated URLs at the heart of the application.
What is the difference between logon and account logon? ›
A logon session has a beginning and end. An Account Logon event is simply an authentication event, and is a point in time event.
Do you login or log on? ›
1. Log in: Refers to the process of entering specific credentials, such as a username and password, to access a system, website, or application. 2. Log on: Can be a more general term for connecting or accessing a system, which might not always require credentials.
Which one is correct, login or log-in? ›
The correct verb is “Log in,” a phrasal verb, not “Login (which is a noun), or “Log into.” So, “Log in to your account.” is the only one that is correct. Which is proper grammar for "log in to," "login to" or "log into?" 'Log in' written as two words is a verb.
What is your login? ›
a username and password that allows a person to log in to a computer system, network, mobile device, or user account: I've forgotten my login again!
What is the meaning of logging in? ›
to connect to a computer system by putting in a particular set of letters or numbers: What is the user name and password that you use to log on? If you are already a registered user, please log in. log in/on to sth Find out more about our products by logging on to our website.
What is the difference between signing up and signing in? ›
When a user signs up, they're creating a new account. This could be done by providing an email and a password, or by using a social provider like Google, Facebook, etc. Log In: Logging in is the process a user undergoes when they want to access their existing account.
Why is it called log-in? ›
When computers came into use, it was logical to have the system maintain a list, or log, of all the users who signed in with a user name and password, when they signed in, and when they signed off at the end of their session.
What is the difference between login to and login into? ›
“Log in” is a phrasal verb meaning “connect to an electronic device, system, or app.” The preposition “to” is often used directly after the verb; “in” and “to” should be written as two separate words (e.g., “log in to the app to update privacy settings”).
