Chinese authorities have come up with software to "purify" the Net.

The Ministry of Public Security has released the "Internet Police 110" software to "protect users from getting unhealthy information from foreign and domestic Web sites," Reuters reported.

The software comes in three versions for homes, cybercafes and schools.

"It is designed to block information to cults, sex and violence on the Internet," according to an official. It can also monitor online traffic and delete or block any material from sources viewed as offensive.

Western news sites, along with those of human rights groups and Tibetan exiles, are often blocked by China. It has also been known to shut down cybercafes for being too near to schools (200 metres), and is cracking down on foreign investment in its online economy. ®

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