An anonymous user is someone who has limited access to resources on a network or website without creating login credentials. They can read data or use some programs but cannot perform all tasks available to registered users. Online forums and chat services are examples of anonymous user options.
In computing, an anonymous user is an individual who is permitted access to certain resources found on a network or web page, but does not have all the benefits associated with someone who is considered a registered or authorized user. The range of activities that the anonymous user can perform will vary based on the design of the network or web page, but will often include the ability to read selected data or use some program for a limited number of tasks.
There are some characteristics that distinguish an anonymous user from a registered user. One has to do with creating network or site login credentials. The anonymous person or group does not need to create any type of login information or store any information in a user database in order to gain access to a select number of programs or data. The key here is that the user does not have full access to the tools made available to registered users and can only perform a small number of the tasks that are readily available to any person or group willing to register.
One of the easiest ways to understand the concept of an anonymous user is to consider an online forum or bulletin board. With many boards of this type, you don’t need to register in the forum to read posts posted by group members. In some cases, the forum may be divided into categories, some intended for public viewing and others reserved for registered users only. It is not uncommon for many forums and message boards to reserve the right to start new topics or reply to existing thread topics for registered users.
There are also chat services that an anonymous user can choose to use. With this application, the user creates a username that is displayed in the chat room, but does not have to provide any other information to participate. This particular approach to chat rooms is less popular than it used to be, but is still sometimes used in situations such as with substance rehab programs where the anonymity of people asking questions and seeking information is considered paramount. Typically, both message boards and chat rooms that operate with an anonymous user option are heavily moderated, making it possible to remove inappropriate posts or remove an offending user from the chat when and as needed.
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