London, Nov.30: It is not only Britain that is facing a major cyber attack threat from over 120 countries, but also nations like India, the United States and Germany.

According to a report in The Australian, the "cyber cold war" is threatening to become one of the biggest security threats in the next decade.

Quoting from an annual report prepared by McAfee, The Australian further goes on to say that cyber crime is now a global issue, as it has “evolved significantly and is no longer just a threat to industry and individuals but increasingly to national security."

The paper quotes Jeff Green, a senior vice president at McAfee Avert Labs, as saying that China is at the forefront of this cyber war.

China, however, has repeatedly denied such claims.

"The Chinese were first to use cyber-attacks for political and military goals," claims James Mulvenon, the director of the Center for Intelligence and Research in Washington.

The report was compiled with input from academics and officials from Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and NATO.

Cyber-attacks on private and government websites in Estonia in April and May this year were "just the tip of the iceberg," the report warned.

The attacks appeared to have stemmed initially from Russia although the Kremlin denied any wrongdoing.

EU Information Society commissioner Viviane Reding said in June that what happened in Estonia was a wake-up call.

NATO said "urgent work" was needed to improve defences.

The McAfee report has predicted that future attacks would be even more sophisticated. (ANI)