The Netherlands is accusing Iranian computer hackers of spying on hundreds of thousands of Iranian internet users.

A Dutch government report Monday alleges that the Iranian hackers broke into a Dutch computer security firm and stole computer security certificates.

A legitimate security certificate guarantees that a website is secure and that the communications will remain private. A fake certificate means a hacker is spying on the user and stealing passwords.

Iran has not yet responded to the Dutch report.

Young Iranians used social networks to spread the word about the anti-government protests that erupted after the 2009 presidential election.