I have not had much luck finding a Web 2.0 tool that I think is cool. However, I did find a web-based product for scanning your computers for vulnerabilities. The product is called Nessus, which can be downloaded for free, to use at home. Using it in any other venue is a little pricey. ($1,200/yr subscription) Nessus has a local install component that allows for launching scanning actions against other PCs. (Hopefully, your PCs) Vulnerability tests are updated daily at a central Nessus server, and made available automatically to your Nessus client. The tool is very configurable, and can even look at network exposed database servers for problems. A short demo of this product can be seen on YouTube. The product download page is http://www.nessus.org/download/ .

I can see where a tool such as this could be used to audit newly developed or purchased internet-based programs and websites. I found two issues on my PC that I had not found before with other security tools that I have tested. The only drawback to security scanning tools like Nessus is that the operator needs to know networking and security concepts to get the best value from this class of product.

I am looking forward to feedback on this tool from others, whether it is pro or con.