This usually means you don't want to have to launch the server and then each of the clients every time you log-in, reboot, or move a computer.

ENGADGET: How-To: Share your keyboard and mouse in realtime with Synergy

At present, millions of sub-scribers to Time Warner Cable, Cox, and Bright House can log in to view Pac-12 Networks broadcast channels.

ENGADGET: Pac-12 Conference streams come to iPad, fuel that Big Game rivalry on the road

With a private log-in, employees can now manage their own payroll and retirement plans, request time-off and other schedule adjustments, book on-line courses and other learning and development tools, engage and be social with colleagues on intranets, and just generally manage their own work lives to an extent that was previously impossible.

FORBES: 5 Attributes of a World-Class Workforce

That functionality includes real-time notifications and always-on functionality from the desktop without having to log-in to Facebook or other platforms.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

Quite the opposite is true - for convenience many store their digital identities in their browsers so they do not have to log on every time they wish to use an online service.

BBC: Computer security words in a Scrabble game

The "two-factor" verification system, which will be optional, asks users to register a phone number, e-mail account and six-digit code that would have to be entered, via text message, each time they log in to the site.

CNN: Twitter bumps up log-in security after hacks

The card has touch-sensitive buttons and the ability to create a "one-time password" - doing away with the need for a separate device sometimes needed to log in to online banking.

BBC: New Mastercard has LCD screen and keyboard