Chinese Government Aims To Tame Hackers

The Chinese government may be getting serious about dealing with hackers.

Representative Chen Wanzhi of the National People's Congress has called for greater control over the hacker economy in order to protect legitimate businesses, according to a translation of a Chinese news article posted on The Dark Visitor, a blog that follows hacking in China.

Chen reportedly considers the network security situation in China to be grim.

On Tuesday, the Shanghai Daily reported that four hackers had been imprisoned for stealing more than $14,000 (100,000 yuan) from online bank accounts using personal information obtained through malware.

Three of the men were sentenced to six-and-a-half to eight years in prison for larceny and fined, according to the Shanghai Daily. The four received a sentence of two-and-a-half years in prison for concealing illegal income.