NETWORK INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM

A network security system takes an active approach to network security. This is accomplished by providing intelligence about other networks. A master network intelligence database is established that uses a plurality of network information agents for gathering information about networks and providing the information to the master network intelligence database. A customer network security system is then able to secure the customer network in dependence upon information received from the master network intelligence. Security information includes at least one of hostility level on the Internet, collected from numerous sites; security event history; spam levels; hosted services; public wireless; organization type; organization associations; peer ISPs; bandwidth connection to the Internet; active security measures; number of users on the network; age of the network; inappropriate content served; industry; geographic placement; open proxy servers; and contact information.