(Yicai Global) Sept. 22 -- Shanghai's Municipal Public Security Bureau's General Administration of Network Security has detected 607 cases of network crime and arrested 2,017 suspects this year as infringement of personal information became a 'black industry chain,' Jiemian News reported on Sept. 21.

In the past, hackers made attacks as a simple display of skill, but as network technology develops, profit is becoming a more prominent motive for cybercrime, said Qu Weifang, chief engineer at the bureau's network security department.

Hackers steal personal information and intermediaries use this to set up large databases. As a result, internet users are able to buy information for accurate marketing, fraud, extortion or other crimes. It's very harmful to society, he added.

Investment, finance, real estate, automotive, medicine, logistics and education are all industries that have been hit hard by the practice.

"It has become a black industry chain," said Qu. "There are many links between access, storage and use of personal information, both online and offline. It's complex and lucrative."

The local network security department has therefore taken a tougher stance against cybercrime and plans to improve network security to maintain a safe online environment.