The federal government yesterday announced a new, centralized system to alert the country to threats to computer systems, as a virulent worm continued to play havoc with e-mail around the world. The alert system, announced by the cybersecurity division of the Department of Homeland Security, will be a clearinghouse of information on hacking, viruses, worms and cyberterrorism. It will also be a place for consumers to learn about their systems' vulnerabilities and how to fight computer crime. . . .
The federal government yesterday announced a new, centralized system to alert the country to threats to computer systems, as a virulent worm continued to play havoc with e-mail around the world.

The alert system, announced by the cybersecurity division of the Department of Homeland Security, will be a clearinghouse of information on hacking, viruses, worms and cyberterrorism. It will also be a place for consumers to learn about their systems' vulnerabilities and how to fight computer crime.

"We are focused on making the threats and recommended actions easier for all computer users to understand, prioritize and act upon," said Amit Yoran, the director of the cybersecurity division.

The system was planned well before the latest computer worm began infecting machines on Monday.

Computer security firm Network Associates Inc. said that while the number of new occurrences of the worm, known as MyDoom, has leveled off, there is still a tide of MyDoom-bearing e-mails circulating around the Internet.

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