What Is A Username?

Date First Published: 8th November 2023

Topic: Cybersecurity

Subtopic: Security Mechanisms & Technologies

Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty Level: 3/10

Learn about what a username is in this article.

A username, also known as an account name, is an alphanumeric name given to a user account so that it can be uniquely identified. Usernames are often used in combination with passwords as a method of authentication. Unlike passwords, which should be kept secret, usernames are often publicly visible to others, so they don't need to be kept secret. Usernames are often 7-14 characters in length.

Uses Of Usernames

Usernames are used by all sorts of websites, services, and online communities. Forums, chatrooms, wikis, social media sites, and file storage services require users to choose a username that is not already taken before signing up. The user's comments, posts, and messages are identified by the unique username. When a user signs up for a new website or community, they may maintain their identity by using the same username. To log into their account, they must know their username and password.

Most computer operating systems support multiple user accounts with unique usernames for each one and each account has its own set of private files, folders, and system settings, which are identified by a username.

Can Email Addresses Be Used As Usernames?

Email addresses can also be used as usernames. This is common on websites which do not have as much user-generated content and won't have people see the username. However, websites without user-generated content may still give users an option to choose a username to personalise their settings and messages.

It is a common misconception that a username is equivalent to an email address. The username is the name that identifies the user on the server. For example, email providers require people to choose a username that forms the first part of the email address (before the @ symbol).

Security Risks Of Usernames

Since the authorisation depends on the correct input of the username and password, a username itself cannot pose any security risks if discovered. However, if a password is compromised along with the username, it could be used to gain unauthorised access to multiple accounts. That is why it is not recommended to reuse the same username and password combination across multiple websites and services. In addition, a lot of information can be found about someone else just by looking up their reused username on the internet, which can have an impact on people's digital footprint.

To minimise the security risks associated with usernames, users should avoid including their personal information or passwords in their usernames, which can be used to compromise their accounts or steal their identity. Usernames are often visible to everyone, so they shouldn't include any sensitive information.

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