Hanover, Germany - One of the world's top anti-malware developers has called on the first day of the CeBIT computing trade fair in Germany for all online users to have a sort of "identity card."

Eugene Kaspersky said Tuesday tougher regulation was needed to at least reduce online crime, even if the crime could not be wiped out. That would mean cyber-police and all internet users making themselves identifiable.

Kaspersky founded Kaspersky Labs, a respected Russian maker of anti-virus software.

"I'm conscious that that most internet users don't agree with me," he told reporters, predicting it would not be until after a "serious incident" online that authorities would be willing to act.

"The internet is like a country which needs a government," he said at CeBIT, which continues till Sunday in Hanover, Germany.

Criminals could defraud people online easily "and without even leaving the room," he said, because communication over the internet was anonymous and criminals could base themselves in nations with weak justice systems.

He said it was vital that every internet user disclose their true identity while online. (dpa)