Fang Dinghua, a spokeswoman of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, said the special department on Internet security has taken over the case. However, she didn't disclose details, just saying investigators are tracing the suspect.

The hacker attacked Websites of more than 10 universities nationwide last Friday, including East China Normal University in Shanghai.

The hacker, nicknamed StyxFox in cyberspace, claimed in an article on one of the hacked Websites that he was from a relatively poor family in an underdeveloped city and had appeared for the annual college entrance exam. But, he scored low marks, which deprived him of entry into university and dashed his hopes of becoming a clerk after graduation.

He claimed he attacked the Websites to prove his computer ability, knowing fully well such behavior violated the law.

"The university's homepage broke down suddenly and we were notified that it had been hacked," said Lu Jing of East China Normal University. "Fortunately, it was restored soon. And we called the police."

Sociologists voiced concern over the case since a large number of students flunk the crucial college entrance test, which often shapes a student's future career.

Zhang Youde, professor of sociology at Shanghai University, said, "The case raises questions about reforms to higher education. The government should formulate detailed rules to encourage development of social schools, such as community and night schools, so as to provide more opportunities for students to receive higher education.

"Now, graduates from social universities are less popular than public school graduates, which stymies the development of social institutions," Zhang said.

(eastday.com July 16, 2003)