The Chinese government is launching a 14-month-long "clean-up" of the internet industry as part of its campaign to root out services which circumvent strict online controls.

Chinese censors have blocked access to several popular websites as they target content delivery networks that serve much of the internet, according to a US internet service company.

Apple has posted a new security warning for users of its iCloud online storage service amid reports of a determined effort to steal passwords and other data from people who use the service in China.