Phishing was in overdrive during 11-11 shopping spree, security company says

As Chinese shopped 'til they dropped during Wednesday's Singles Day consumer bonanza, phishing websites trying to steal people's personal and banking information were also running rampant, a leading security provider in China reported.

A Qihoo 360 report released on Thursday said it helped its users block phishing websites 110 million times during the shopping fest.

The company said it also received 98 reports from across the country concerning online fraud that totaled 1.18 million yuan ($188,000).

Most of the incidents were from Guangdong and Hebei provinces, and targeted those aged 20 to 29, the report said, adding that more than 72 percent of those defrauded were men.

Company analyst Pei Zhiyong said most attacks by the phishing websites occurred in the hours before the festival, leaving users vulnerable while shopping online.

Pei said women are more apt to purchase goods on familiar websites, but "many men do not often buy goods online, so sometimes they only focus on cheaper products."

The analyst urged users to collect evidence of any cyberspace fraud, which is needed to investigate and fight such crimes.