China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Monday issued a report on the situation of the Code Red II computer virus in China, which has infected a large number of Chinese computer operating systems.
Since the virus first broke out in July in other countries including the United States, the Chinese public security departments have kept a close eye on its development.
On August 6th, it was confirmed that the virus had entered Chinese computer systems and had started spreading through the Internet.
The MPS immediately issued a nationwide warning and organized computer experts and anti-virus software producers to provide relative emergency services.
According to estimates, by August 22nd, the virus had attacked nearly 600 network units and over 1,000 servers in more than 20 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, paralyzing many IPS operating systems.
Due to effective emergency measures, the virus has been largely controlled in China and many websites and computer systems have already returned to normal operation.
Chinese computer systems have a high rate of virus infection. According to a recent survey by the MPS, some 73% of Chinese computers have been infected with viruses at least once. The number infected at least three times stands as high as 59%.
The MPS warned computer users, especially government departments, scientific research institutes, and financial or securities institutions, to enhance their defense capability against virus attacks.
It is learned that the problem has already been solved by Microsoft, the creator of Windows 2000 and NT, the operating systems that are vulnerable to the Code Red worm. Microsoft has provided a patch that eliminates the vulnerability.
(People’s Daily 08/28/2001)
