A method and apparatus for providing an automatically upgradeable software
application includes targeted advertising based upon demographics and
user interaction with the computer. The software application is
accessible from a server via the network and demographic information on
the user is acquired by the server and used for determining what
advertising will be sent to the user. The software application includes
programming that accesses the server to determine if one or more
components of the application need upgrading. If so, the components can
be downloaded and installed without further action by the user. A
distribution tool is provided for software distribution and upgrading
over the network. Also provided is a user profile that is accessible to
any computer on the network. Furthermore, multiple users of the same
computer can possess Internet web resources and files that are
personalized, maintained and organized.