A method and apparatus for tracking network activity of a user. A user PC
(302) disposed on a network (306) runs tracking software which initially
requires registration to a registration server (2500). The registration
process is initiated by the user entering user information into the
tracking software for transmission to the registration server (2500). In
response to registration, the registration server (2500) sends a unique ID
and bar code back to the user PC (302). Subsequently, when the user
accesses a vendor server (2504) disposed on the network (306), the user PC
(302) passes the unique ID/bar code to the vendor server (2504). The
vendor server (2504) sends the unique ID/bar code to the registration
server to obtain user profile information which matches the unique ID/bar
code. As the user accesses the vendor server (2504), the user activities
are logged and returned to the registration server (2500) for updating the
user information stored therein. Alternatively, the user information is
stored on the user PC (302), the tracking software issued to the user
having the unique ID bar code. Subsequent accesses to the vendor server
(2504) results in the activity log being sent back to the user PC (302)
for updating the user information.
