According to a joint report by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) and the National Internet Emergency Response Center (CNCERT), 52 percent of Chinese netizens suffered Internet safety incidents last year. A total of 15.3 billion yuan (US$2.2 billion) was spent in dealing with those issues.

More than 90 percent of netizens have encountered a phishing Web site, while 77.5 percent responded that they have received a computer virus while surfing or downloading material online.

Roughly 21 percent of netizens have suffered direct economic losses caused by Internet safety incidents, including virtual property loss. These losses are typically due to online game or bank accounts being stolen or damaged data files causing computer malfunctions.

China is home to a growing 384 million Internet users. On average, people paid 39.9 yuan in handling Internet security-related incidents last year.