Playing the role of computer network watchdog, the Ministry of Public Security has announced it will sponsor a nationwide computer virus survey between April 12 and May 12, according to today's China Daily.

The ministry is urging computer users and dealers to use anti-virus software to scan their computer files and then send reports to the website antivirus-China.org.cn, where they will be asked to fill
in an online questionnaire.

The survey, sponsored by the Ministry's Public Information and Network Security Inspection Bureau and carried out by the Tianjin- based National Computer Virus Emergency Centre, is the first nationwide investigation to target computer viruses.

According to Zhang Shuangqiao, director of the Tianjin centre, the survey aims to catalogue the varieties of computer viruses, their infection rate, distribution and characteristics.

Anti-virus software recommended by the ministry includes products by Rising, KV3000, Trend, Symantec and Shanghai Chancerun.

Participants in the survey will have opportunities to win awards ranging in value between 200 yuan (US$25) and 3,000 yuan (US$360).

Foreigners in China are also welcome to join the survey, according
to Zhang.

After the survey is finished, Zhang's centre will organize and analyze the results and present them to the ministry, which will
publish them in a white paper.

Besides being eligible for awards, computer users who participate in the survey will receive free online help in killing any viruses found on their computers. Zhang's centre and a number of anti-virus software developers will also open hotlines to answer inquiries.

The numbers for these hotlines will be listed on antivirus- China.org.cn.