Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing vulnerabilities with an agent executing on a computer host using a vulnerability scanner and vulnerability server are disclosed. In one example a method comprises, with a vulnerability scanner, searching for data associated with a vulnerability test (for example, the command that initiates the test) to determine whether the data associated with the vulnerability is available or not available. When the data associated with the vulnerability test is available in a vulnerability scanner database, the vulnerability scanner provides prior scan results generated using one or more commands specified by the data to a vulnerability aggregation server. When the data associated with the vulnerability test is not available in the vulnerability scanner database, the vulnerability scanner performs a scan of the host to obtain results associated with the vulnerability test.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing vulnerabilities with an agent executing on a computer host using a vulnerability scanner and vulnerability server are disclosed. In one example a method comprises, with a vulnerability scanner, searching for data associated with a vulnerability test (for example, the command that initiates the test) to determine whether the data associated with the vulnerability is available or not available. When the data associated with the vulnerability test is available in a vulnerability scanner database, the vulnerability scanner provides prior scan results generated using one or more commands specified by the data to a vulnerability aggregation server. When the data associated with the vulnerability test is not available in the vulnerability scanner database, the vulnerability scanner performs a scan of the host to obtain results associated with the vulnerability test.

Abstract: A distributed information network is constructed for gathering information from sites distributed across a globally accessible computer network, i.e., the Internet. The distributed information network preferably includes a root server that stores a list of multiple distributed sites each represented by metadata. A network browser delivers an information search request to the root server, which in response develops a profiled information search request. The information provider of each of the distributed sites stores metadata corresponding to information content that is retrievable in response to the profiled information search request for search results derivable from the information content to which the metadata correspond. A profiled information communication link between the root server and each of the multiple distribution sites enables formation of a path for delivery of the search results to a destination site, from a site or sites represented by the metadata of the profiled information search request.