How Facebook tracks its 800 Million Users Online and Offline ?

Facebook has for the first time revealed details about how it tracks users across the Web.

According to USA Today, the complete picture how the social network keeps tabs on its 800 million users was revealed through series of interviews with the social networking site's engineering director, spokesman, corporate spokesman and engineering manager.

Facebook does not track everybody the same way, as it uses different methods for members who have signed in and are using their accounts, members who are logged-off and non-members.

To do this, the company relies on tracking cookie technologies similar to the controversial systems used by Google, Adobe, Microsoft, Yahoo and others in the online advertising industry, Arturo Bejar, Facebook's Engineering Director, was quoted as saying.

Here's how it works: 

Every time one logs onto Facebook it inserts a "session cookie" and a "browser cookie" into one's browser. If one simply visits the site without signing up on the browser, cookie is inserted.

From that point on, each time one visits a site which uses Facebook technology, the cookie works in conjunction with the plug-in to alert Facebook to the date, time and URL of the page you are viewing.

The unique characteristics such as one's IP address, screen resolution, operating system and browser version, are also recorded by the social networking site, the report said.

Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes said that the company's tracking systems are used to personalise content and help boost security, adding the tracking practices are spelt out in its 'Privacy Policy' and 'Help Center' web pages.

However, industry critics have expressed serious concern about the practice. "Tracking data can be used to figure out your political bent, religious beliefs, sexuality preferences, health issues or the fact that you're looking for a new job," Peter Eckersley of Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights organisation, told the newspaper.

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TCS Interview Experience 2011

TCS Interview Experience 2011

Dear friends,

  Let me briefly say about my interview experience @ TCS.When i entered the final year in college life i was very cool about placements.But when i did not qualify for 2nd round in the first few companies i was worried,but i did not lose my confidence.I started preparing with fire(LOL).I was waiting for the TCS to come.Days were nearing.

Finally the day came for which i was waiting from my first year.It was one fine morning.I woke up at 5 in the morning and got ready for the interview.I was directly called for the interview as i had CGPA above 7.5.I was lucky for this procedure.If this procedure was not there ,i should have qualified the written test.I was waiting from 8 am in the morning.I waited for long time.i did not have my breakfast.Time was going on.Lunch time came all the H.R went for lunch.I was waiting in front of the interview room after my lunch.Slowly the HR came near me and asked "Are you cool.Had your lunch ,if not take your lunch and come".I came to know that HR was cool.I felt happy.

Some of my classmates were near me ,waiting for interview.The HR came out and got our resume.We were waiting for the call.Finally the HR called "Praveen kumar".i went inside the interview room by asking permission.The HR asked to take the seat.I said thank you and had my seat.I had a smile.They made me cool.I was introduce myself.I introduced myself technically as i was about to become a software engineer.

They smiled as i introduced differently.They listened to me eagerly.They went thru my resume and asked about my achievements.i was sayin about my achievements one by one.They saw my area of interest and asked questions in data structure.They asked what i know in DS.I said sorting ,searching and so on.They asked about sorting and asked to write an algorithm for the same.I took my choice and wrote selection sort.They checked the paper and said it was correct.I don't know whether it was correct or not.They checked my confidence level only.I was confident enough to answer their questions.They finished their interview and asked me "whether i have any questions ".I said YES and asked about the location of posting and in which domain i will be posted.They answered the the question and asked  anymore questions?This time  i said No.They said thanks Praveen and meet you soon.I got up and gave handshake to both HR and said thank you sir and thank you mam.I came out of the room and i was very cool.I had a feeling that i have achieved something big.

I was helping other candidates for the interview and shared my experience.Time went on and butterflies flying in my stomach.What else ,i was waiting for a good news.Result was to be announced  next day only.I slept off at night but no sleep.Next morning i got early as result was to be announced but they said result at 1 pm.I did not have my lunch and  was waiting for the result.They said result at 2pm ,then 3pm.

Finally TCS started saying the results.The count was 321 .First they  started with IBT dept.Then came CSIT dept. in Our college (GCT) Names were said one by one.Ten names were red in my class but my name was not there.I was waiting waiting.

Finally i got the result for my hardwork.They said Praveen(My Name).I had tears in my eyes due to over happiness.All friends tapped on me.i went out of the hall and called my parents,brother and relatives.Went out for a small treat after the result announcemts.Some of my friends got into the same company.I was very happy.That's it...My interview experience..

Regards,

Praveen Kumar.

ASE TCS,Chennai.

All the best for all of guys who are ready to attend TCS Interview in 2012.

Comment here your doubts, we'll get back to you with a proper solution.

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