A Brief Note On The Intersection Of Technology And Terrorism

Cyberterrorism is a critical threat and is the most definitive characteristic of the U.S. contemporary security environment. For years, the American people have been victimized by cyber-attacks by having their personal information, emails, credit card, and banking information stolen by an invisible enemy named cyberterrorism. These types of attacks seem insignificant however; they are small examples of the vulnerabilities that our cyber world is experiencing. Our vulnerabilities are leaving our public officials in significant danger from cyber-attacks, as they are vulnerable to such things as the release of personal information and home addresses.

Tomorrow’s terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bomb (National Research Council1). The United States Department of States defined terrorism as: “…premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents.” Terrorism not only occurs on the real life today but also on the internet. As the technology rapidly developed, there is an increase in the usage of internet, the threat comes along the way. Due to the occurrence of internet terrorism-generating fears to the public, the term “Cyberterrorism” was coined by Barry Collin in the 1980’s (Cyberterrorism Defined). The definition of cyberterrorism differs from various legal systems and government

Like real terrorists, cyberterrorists are politically motivated. They utilize vast information technology and networks to further their agendas and attack through communication, utilities, and airport systems. For example, the terrorist group called the Internet Black Tigers attacked the Sri Lankan government with “suicide e-mail bombings” in order to get their message and motive across. Cyber-based terrorist attacks have advantages over physical attacks because they are cheaper and don’t require an investment in weapons and can be plan and conducted anonymously. Even though there is an awareness to the severity of potential terrorist attacks, a very limited amount can be done to try to prevent them. Many things are not protected on the Internet and privacy-rights are a heavily debated issue that gets in the way of intrusive security measures. Cyberterrorism is a growing issue that is difficult to defend

When I think of the word terrorism, the first thing that pops into my mind is 9/11. A day I will never forget, as I am sure countless other Americans will not as well. I never took the time to truly think about a terrorist, what they are thinking, what their motives are, or whom they are trying to hurt or even why they are terrorist. In doing this research, I have acquired knowledge about not only the ‘traditional’ terrorist but also the cyberterrorist. In some ways these criminals are similar, and the reasons behinds their actions sometimes overlap, yet they also are different. Although some people, including myself, could get the two of them confused, they are not the same.

“These incidents indicate that the Internet is being used as a “cyberplanning” tool for terrorists. It provides terrorists with anonymity, command and control resources, and a host of other measures to coordinate and integrate attack options” (Thomas, 2003). Thomas defines cyberplanning as a digital coordination of an integrated plan stretching across geographical boundaries that may or may not result in bloodshed. It provides terrorists with anonymity, command and control resources, and a host of other measures to coordinate and integrate attack options (Thomas, 2003). It is clear that through the many websites found by the government, that al Qaeda intent is to cause

Adam Segal’s “The Hacked World Order” reveals many prevalent issues in today’s technologically centered society. Starting at Year Zero, June 2012 to June 2013, the battle over cyberspace witnessed world-changing cyberattacks. This was accomplished due to the fact that nearly 75% of the world’s population has easy access to a mobile phone, and the Internet connects nearly 40% of the total human population, which is nearly 2.7 billion people. With that being said, cyberattacks are becoming a more realistic form of terror.

The worse attack on the United States computer network took place in 2008. The Deputy of Secretary of Defense, William J. Lynn III, described the event as a “network administrator’s worst fear: a rouge program operating silently, poised to deliver operational plans into the hands of an unknown adversary” (Lynn, 2010). The common thought that comes to mind when we think of an attack on a network infrastructure is that the attack is a complex attack coordinated by some “black hat ” hacker/cracker that had to decipher lines of code and encrypted algorithm to penetrate the United States network infrastructure. However, the most common attack and the most devastating attack to infect the United States network was a simple social engineering attack.

With the widespread use of technology becoming more prominent, acts of cyber terrorism pose an increased threat to safety. Cyber terrorists exploit the internet and its users to commit acts that can be increasingly detrimental to their targets. Some of the terrorist activities include large scale corruption of computer networks by using tools like computer viruses. Certain individuals even have the ability of creating severe damage to government systems, national security systems and even hospital servers. Most of the technology made today only has intentions of making life easier for people. However, skilled users can manipulate the cyber world for negative intentions. Staying informed when it comes to cyber terrorism and cybercrime is important to do because of the increased reliance on technology in society. Steps to improve cyber security before an attack ensures the safety of sensitive information. The topic of cyber security and cyber warfare are interesting topics to keep up to date with. Understanding these topics can be beneficial to my dream of being in the FBI, ensuring the safety of others by working to prevent acts of cyberterrorism.

Cyberterrorism is the utilization of PC system instruments to hurt or close down basic national bases, e.g. transportation and government operations. The reason of cyberterrorism is that as countries and basic base turned out to be more subject to PC systems for their operation, new vulnerabilities are made. Cyberterrorism is an alluring alternative for cutting edge terrorists, who esteem its secrecy, its capability to exact gigantic harm, its mental effect, and its media offer. The risk postured by cyberterrorism has gotten the consideration of the broad communications, the security group, and the data innovation (IT) industry. Columnists, lawmakers, and specialists in an assortment of fields have promoted a situation in which complex digital terrorists electronically break into PCs that control dams or aviation authority frameworks, wreaking devastation and jeopardizing a large number of lives as well as national security itself. But, in spite of all the bleak forecasts of a digital produced doomsday, no single occurrence of genuine cyberterrorism has been recorded (Verton 129).

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks many have sought to argue that a ‘New’ paradigm of terrorism exists and therefore that the nature of modern terrorist threats has changed. However, terrorism itself has never been clearly outlined, and as such both Copeland and Duyvesteyn argue current threats to be a continuation of older trends of traditional terrorism. More so terrorism is subjective and therefore current threats depends upon who the target is and who is reporting the attack. On the other hand, Hoffman focuses on deconstructing specifically the 9/11 attacks and in assessing potential future threats and as such is of greater use to governments seeking to deploy stringent countermeasures. The evolution of terrorist groups motivations and

Many people are familiar with the act of terrorism since of one famous terrorist incident, 9/11, happened. Yet not familiar with the definition of terrorism. Terrorism is an effort to cause terror and damage by constraining a government. The other root, cyber, is relating to computers and information technology. In consideration, the United States’ definition of cyberterrorism is "a criminal act conducted with computers and resulting in violence, destruction, or death of its targets in an effort to produce terror with the purpose of coercing a government to alter its policies," This definition can be justified as a terrorist can be tormenting as small as hacking to cause denial of service to as big as hacking to launch dangerous weapons. However, what cyber threats are or are not identified as cyberterrorism. A non-political motive spam, doing pranks online, and impolite e-mails are not identified as cyberterrorism. These acts are identified as cybercrimes. Ransoms to gain access to your online bank account, shutting down major power grids to harm the U.S. economy, and causing generators to self-destruct in innovating laboratories are identified as

Terrorism has been an ongoing problem in society; however, Cyberterrorism is relatively new. Our country has to adapt to all media threats and how to handle them effectively. A strategic plan needs to be put into action such as finding the enemies goal for the threat, who the enemy is, what their operational techniques are, as well as the resources they have to actually carry out this threat. Terrorist groups now utilize technology to carry out and construct their attacks, which is a possible threat to the United States. This article discussed how military, legal, and political parties confront a threat, and the difficulties associated with cyber- terrorism. For prevention, they analyze domestic and international law and address vulnerabilities in the system, such as setting up a firewall. Also, changing, or rethinking, previous understanding of cyber terrorism by focusing on response and responsibility. Additionally, there are other ways to prevent cyber-terrorism. For example, tradeoffs, tensions, calculations and choices. Every tactic in this article is very descriptive; therefore, I chose three important points to further explain in depth, which are domestic and international law, addressing vulnerabilities, and trade-offs and tensions.

Intrinsically political grounded in an evolving historical context, in the last decades of the twentieth century, terrorism has emerged as a new mode of conflict. Misinterpretations have led to the belief that terrorism became more significant and increased in frequency since the end of the Cold War. In the light of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, terrorism is said to have shifted in its aims and methods over the last decades. Many contemporary studies on terrorism focus on the aspects of terrorism before and after the attacks in the United States; and it is questioned if the political motivations, the religious aspiration, and the use of weapons by terrorist groups in the 21st century has shifted to become a new form of terrorism. But, how New is the New Terrorism?

John Mariotti, a well-known information-security author once said, “We worried for dec-ades about WMDs – Weapons of Mass Destruction. Now, it is time to worry about a new kind of WMDs – Weapons of Mass Disruption” (Relia, 2016, 18). In this quote, Mariotti is stating that it is time for society to shift focus from worrying about, and defending, ourselves from nuclear warfare, to focusing on cyber warfare, a type of attack that is defined by J. Davis as “an attempt to damage another nation 's computers or information networks through, for example, computer viruses or denial-of-service attacks (n.d.).” On a smaller scale, hackers are attempting to damage other users’ computer systems, or information networks, using the same methods. One of

A lot of opinions and meanings has been given to the word “Cyberterrorism”. Some of these meanings and definitions varies. In this light, Gordon and Ford (2003) are concerned that when 10 people define cyberterrorism and nine of the given answers are different, and these 10 people represent different government agencies tasked with safeguarding national assets and infrastructure, then it becomes a critical issue.