This kind of data collection is rudimentary. Depending upon the server technology implemented and how a site is configured, the amount of information gathered about you and your surfing habits can be quite extensive. D ata on web activity can be collected in a couple of different ways. One approach is passively done by a web server. Each time someone on the web requests a page from a server, the server records the request and various information associated with that event.
Much work is needed to develop analytical approaches to the data that yield meaningful statistics.
As impressive as these tools are, the analysis of web activity has only just begun to scratch the surface of what may be possible in the future. The measurement of web activity raises important concerns about individual privacy , a subject we will discuss at length later in the course. It also means that illegal and abusive activities can be tracked back to the source with great precision and speed. Recent incidents involving computer viruses, phony investment advice, and harassment have shown that the individuals who commit these crimes are usually apprehended.