Mumbai: The telecom ministry has asked service provider the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to assess ways of insulating government computer networks, following fresh attempts by Chinese hackers to break into the computer system of ministry of external affairs.

The NIC would assess how the computer systems used by the MEA and other government departments could be insulated and fortified to prevent break-in by hackers, they said in the backdrop of fresh attempt by hackers to break into Indian computer systems.

Efforts are already underway to determine whether any sensitive information was accessed by the hackers, ministry officials said.

Chinese officials, meanwhile, dismissed as ''baseless'' reports that their government was involved in cyber warfare targeting Indian computer networks.

''The Chinese government has nothing to do with it. The Chinese government discourages such activities against all countries, including India,'' said a Chinese embassy official.

Sources in the external affairs ministry admitted that the ministry's computer network had been targeted from time and time and a recent hacking was traced to some Chinese IP addresses.

Over the past one and a half years, officials said, China has mounted almost daily attacks on Indian computer networks, both government and private, showing its intent and capability.

The sustained assault almost coincides with the history of the present political disquiet between the two countries.

The Chinese are constantly scanning and mapping India's official networks. This gives them a very good idea of not only the content but also of how to disable the networks or distract them during a conflict.

This, officials say, is China's way of gaining "an asymmetrical advantage" over a potential adversary.

The big attacks that were sourced to China over the last few months included an attack on NIC (National Infomatics Centre), which was aimed at the National Security Council, and on the MEA.

Other government networks, said sources, are routinely targeted though they haven't been disabled. India has also not yet set up a retaliatory offensive system given that Chinese networks are very porous.