this is the TECHNOLOGY REPORT in Special English.The head of an American congressional committeerecently expressed concernabout the threat of cyber attacksfrom China, Iran and other countries.Michael McCaul spoke at a meeting ofthe House of Representatives' Homeland Security Committee.Congressman McCaul compared the threatfrom cyber attacks to the terrorist threatfaced by the United States on September 11, 2001.But he added that this time the nationknows about the threat and is taking steps to fight it."We know that foreign nationsare conducting reconnaissance on our utilities.They are penetrating our gas and water systemsand also our energy grids.And if the ability to send a silent attackthrough our digital networks falls into our enemies' hands,this country could be the victim of a devastating attack.Yet, while threats are imminent,no major cyber security legislation has been enacted since 2003."Several other lawmakers expressed concernabout reports that China is to blame for most attacksagainst American computers and computer networks.Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Jane Lutetold the committee that the Obama administrationbelieves the attacks are an important issue."We have raised this issue of the attacksthat are emanating from actors in China,with Chinese authorities.We've called on them to acknowledge it,take it seriously, understand it,to investigate it and stop it, and to work with usin creating broad norms of responsible cyber behavior."President Obama told ABC News last Tuesdaythat there has been a steady increase in the threatto cyber security from other nations and from criminals.He said the United States has taken partin what he called "tough talk" with China and other nations.Last week, a Chinese foreign ministry official saidChina is open to talks.But the official said China is a victim,and not responsible for computer crimes.In February, President Obama signed an executive orderdealing with cyber security.The order directs American agenciesto improve information sharing on cyber threats. However, such orders do not carry the power of law.A Senate bill on cyber security last yearfailed to get enough votes to pass.Some business groups and privacy rights activistsexpressed opposition to the measure.A new cyber security bill has been introduced in the House.The Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper,spoke to Senators last week about cyber attacks.He noted that America's biggest national security threatcould come now from a computer keyboard instead of a terrorist bomb.