user account

A user account comprises access authorization to configuration and billing data of a user within a system, in particular to a mailbox or to a commercial online service such as T-Online, the Internet, Europe Online, Microsoft Network, etc.

User accounts are set up by the system administrator and contain information about the respective user, his or her access authorization and user rights, and about the use of services and resources. Proof of access authorization is usually provided by a user ID and password.

In local networks, the account is used for administration and network management. Thus for access to a computer, a network or a special service. In operating systems, the user account settings and passwords can be set and changed in the control panel for the people who use the computer.