A group of researchers from the University of Toronto-based Monk Centre for International Studies have discovered a a “GhostNet” or cyber espionage network based in China has infiltrated over 1,295 computers in 103 countries including foreign affairs departments and embassies with malware. The investigation consisted of fieldwork, technical scouting and laboratory analysis.

It uncovered a network of over 1,295 infected hosts in 103 countries, with up to 30pc of the targeted computers belonging to ministries of foreign affairs, embassies, news organizations and non-government organisations (NGOs).

Close to 30pc of the infected computers, the Munk Centre said, can be considered high value and include ministries of foreign affairs of Iran, Bangladesh, Latvia, Indonesia, Brunei, Barbados, the Philippines and Bhutan as well as the embassies of India, South Korea, Indonesia, Malta, Cyprus, Thailand, Taiwan, Portugal, Germany and Pakistan. NGOs that were infected include the Association of South East Asian Nations, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the Asian Development Bank.

The malware even infected a number of news organizations as well as an unclassified computer at NATO headquarters.

China dismissed the cyber-espionage claims and said that the accusation is another political issue that the West is trying to exaggerate.