Iran has launched its first cyber police unit, in an effort to maintain control in a digital world.

According to officials, the first cyber cops patrolling the web are based in Tehran, but will be stationed in police stations across the country by early next year. Iran's top police chief said the Internet could be used for spying and the misuse of both public and private information.

Iran has been trying to increase its web defenses since its computers containing information on its nuclear programme were once infected by the the dangerous stuxnet virus.