China has encountered a rising Internet security problem over
the past three years mainly triggered by a growing number of
profit-driven computer virus writers, hackers and illegal
traders.
Despite the public security agencies' escalating actions against
online theft and fraud, anti-virus professionals said the situation
is not "entirely optimistic".
They believed the turning point could come with the introduction
of legislation on cyber crime and the protection of virtual
property.
According to the latest survey conducted by the Ministry of
Public Security, 65.7 percent of the 15,000 companies polled had
suffered Internet security problems from May last year to May this
year, 11.7 percentage points higher than the previous period.
The problems include computer viruses, worms and Trojans, junk
mail, port scanning, Internet attacks and webpage manipulation.
It also indicates that 91.4 percent of computers, the highest
ratio recorded since the annual survey started in 2001, were
attacked by viruses compared with 74 percent for the previous
period, and 87.9 percent for the period, May 2004 to May 2005.
"The number of spyware and Trojans, which aim to hijack users'
accounts and passwords, have increased markedly, and computer
viruses have been widely spread, which have directly affected
Internet users," the ministry said on Wednesday.
While stepping up its efforts in launching an information
security rating system to diversify protection, the ministry will
also promote public education and establish a channel for netizens
to report viruses and seek help.
It also vows to deal more sternly with illegal online
activities.
Leading anti-virus companies in China said they also recorded
the spread of extremely active viruses, and expressed concern about
rampant illegal online activities.
"Our company hijacked about 134,000 viruses in the first half of
this year, up 12 percent from a year ago. We have seen an explosive
growth in viruses that maliciously steal accounts and virtual
properties," Shi Yu, an anti-virus engineer with Beijing Rising
International Software, told China Daily Thursday.
An underground business chain, from virus writers, hijackers,
traders and buyers of banking information or virtual properties has
taken shape, he said.
Fu Sheng, a general manager with the anti-virus department of
Qihoo, said: "The profit is huge. Selling a bug sometimes can make
several million yuan, and the risks are very low."
(China Daily September 28, 2007)