[ladyuser101]

Almost everyone I've read about the widget issue decries Apple's lack of notification even while acknowledging that Apple is secretive/reticent.
For me, though, it is a boundaries issue. Apple or others would not want me wandering around in their computers setting up rootkits for example. To a lesser extent than rootkits, I don't want Apple to obfuscate the reason for a widget advisory. I've removed Dashboard and widgets from my computer until Apple offers a fuller explanation.
However, there are other phone home type behaviors on my computer involving browsers, cookies, cache updates, and referrer/redirection. I generally clean out cookies, zero level caches, and turn off referrer/redirection. It's the equivalent of locking my front door to prevent access - not that I know anyone trying to get in. If I don't lock my front door, I don't think anyone should just wander in either - not that there's anyone in the neighborhood likely to walk in. I use a router and a firewall too. That's the equivalent of two barking dogs, motion detectors, and security lights around my house. I imagine most of you don't leave the key in your car ignition and maybe even lock the doors too. Boundaries. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
For more phone home type activity see this simple web page update for your browser.

Apple's spotlight smart folder (with access to your .Mac account or any network account) automatically updates itself which makes it a high target (ie a security concern) for system/personal information by responding to a widget type Get call.
Opera for one allows the browser to update the cache from the server as well as referrer/redirection browsing (all of which I have turned off).
For those needing a bigger view of widgets, here is one caution.
(with this note) For those saying this is a useless feature, they are missing the greater picture. Widgets are a means through which a computer can get targeted. Also, unlike proper programs, they are treated very superficially as harmless little things, when in reality they are just as capable of causing harm. This new advisory is simply a way for Apple to help you know if you have widgets that are different than those on their official site, and could potentially identify tampered with widgets that pose a security risk.
Okay, should I be concerned about widgets? No. I don't have dashboard or widgets on my computer anymore since I don't use them. Should everyone use the CLI workaround to turn off the widget advisory? No. Too many people don't have the skill for Terminal. Are widgets a security issue? I don't know anyone trying to get in but we are probably all more aware lately of online data security. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif What's more of a security risk is not knowing how the computer works.
As a practical matter for me, the widget issue is dead. Thanks to jmincey for focusing the dialog. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif