We netizens now have our own version of the Homeland Security Terror Alert, with the arrival of the Internet Threat Meter. This spiffing little freeware tool provides a constantly updated Internet risk viewing widget to help you decide whether to open that email, browse to your bookmarks or other stuff. The more bars are lit up, the more dangerous it is out there. It’s good to know our security czars are looking after us so well, eh?
But snarkiness aside, features like instant access to malware removal tools could be genuinely useful in the case of a pandemic. Oops, promised I wasn’t going to use that word.
Up-to-date risk meters and details associated with specific online activities—and what you can do about it …Immediate access to the latest threats, vulnerabilities, and removal tools…Threat Outbreak Security Notices Integrated Security Notices alert you to outbreaks or other security issues right on your desktop
You'll need the Yahoo! Widget engine to run it on XP or Macs unless you're running Vista in which case it's a Windows Gadget.