Internet security in China is becoming alarmingly weak, according to the Ministry of Industry and Technology. From January 4 to 10, 178 government Web sites were hacked – a 409-percent increase of the week before.

Data from the National Computer Network Emergency Response and Technical Coordination Center of China also reveal the extremely poor security in the past few weeks.

Lu Jiangjian of China Computer Federation said that most government Web sites are vulnerable to hacker attacks. He said the hackers could fall into three categories: organized terrorist groups; pranksters; or civilian network groups hoping to gain the government's attention.

"There is no strong and professional group to maintain the networks of our government's Web sites, especially at the county level," Lu said. "We should set up a national network information security system as soon as possible."