McAfee Inc - Proven Security

Global Threat Condition

October 13, 2009: The current Global Threat Condition is rated as 'Severe'. Justification - High profile security updates for Microsoft and Adobe products.

Critical

Systems worldwide are targeted by a worm.

New malware that potentially can cause damage has been reported and has spread globally.

Severe

An unpatched or recently patched vulnerability can be exploited by a worm, and systems worldwide are at risk to be targeted by a particular worm. No worm activity has been identified.

A high incidence of new malware that potentially can cause damage has been reported.

Elevated

An unpatched or recently patched vulnerability is present on many systems worldwide but requires user interaction to be exploited.

An existing vulnerability becomes more serious because new exploit code has been published.

There is new malware activity, but it is not widespread.

Low

There is no direct threat to systems that have been patched.

No new significant malware activity has been reported.