Describe cyber-terrorism and its targets; why is it attractive to terrorist? How can Cyber-terrorism be utilized by terrorists?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Cyber-terrorism refers to the use of computers to attack technological targets or physical attacks on computer networks; The National Conference of State Legislatures defines cyber-terrorism as the use of information technology by terrorists to promote a political agenda.
• Barry Collin coined the term in the early 1990s, believes it involves disrupting points where the virtual, electronic realm of computer networks and programs intersects with the physical world.
• There are targets for cyber-terrorism: computers, computer networks, and information storage and retrieval systems.
• Terrorists differ from hackers, the council argues, because their purpose is to launch a systematic attack for political purposes.
• Cyber-terrorism is an attractive low-risk strategy.
• Computers allow terrorist groups to remain connected, providing a means for covert discussions and anonymity.
• Computer networks are also much less expensive and work intensive than the secretive infrastructures necessary to maintain terrorist groups.
• Modern Western society needs information and the flow of information to function, so cyber-terrorists threaten to interrupt or confuse that flow of information.
• The most common tactic to date has been the defacement of websites.
• There are many potential targets for cyber-terrorists.
• Computer virus is implanted in an enemy's computer.
• "Logic bombs," or snippets of program code that lie dormant for years until they are instructed to overwhelm a computer system.
• Bogus computer chips sold to sabotage an enemy's computer network.
• Trojan horses can contain malevolent code that can destroy a system, and "back doors" in computer systems can allow terrorists to enter systems thought to be secured.
• Shahar believes that conventional attacks, such as overloading an electrical system, threaten computer security.