1. A method for triggering scans of items in a virtual universe, the virtual universe having at least one avatar owned by a resident, at least one avatar having an item and an item inventory, the method comprising: scanning at least a portion of the item inventory belonging to the avatar; determining if the item inventory is acting differently than a normal virtual item, and if so: triggering an item alert and blocking the virtual item, checking attributes against attributes of known malicious virtual items, and updating an inventory item safety summary accordingly.