The Future of CyberTerrorism: Where the Physical and Virtual Worlds Converge
Barry C. Collin
Institute for Security and Intelligence
(Source: Office of International Criminal Justice, Date: Not Stated, between 1994-1999)
Summary
No longer is terrorism carried out only in the physical world but also in the virtual world. The convergence of the two world gives birth to a new form of terrorism -- "CyberTerrorism". The three goals of the convergence are access, control and mining. These goals are achieved because of modern technological vehicles; transmission, connections, aggregation and retrieval.
Three potential acts that could be done by the cyberterrorists destruction, alteration and acquisition and retransmission. These acts of the cyberterrorists could be life-threatening to the public. People could be a Cracker and a CyberTerrorist at the same time. The only difference between a cracker and cyberterrorist lies in their respective intentions. The former, mainly pranks, anarchy or humour, while the latter, mainly to harm others' lives or properties.
Crackers sometimes work as facilitators. Crackers are frequently enlisted to help CyberTerrorists for illicit reason. Unlike all other forms of terrorism, cyberterrorism is safe and profitable. CyberTerrorists are difficult to nailed unless their opponents are as skillful as them and understand them.
It is difficult to take precaution against the cyberterrorists because the CyberTerrorists do not die even if they fail or lose today. Instead, they learn from their mistakes and will use what they have learnt against you the very next day or the very next chance they get.
