Growing Cyber Jihad Thread Highlighted By Experts

Technology news and updates blog article

Growing Cyber Jihad Thread Highlighted By Experts

16th March 2010

Experts have said that an Al-Qaeda cyber-offensive was a real and growing threat, even though Osama bin Laden's shadowy group has yet to show a true capability. Al-Qaeda has so far stuck to classic, if spectacular, attack methods, the hijackings in the September 11, 2001 attacks and machine gun and bombs, but on Tuesday top US officials participated in the Cyber ShockWave exercise testing responses to a coordinated attack on the Internet, transport, telephone and electricity networks. And this month US Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair has told the US Senate terrorist groups and their sympathizers have expressed interest in using cyber means to target the United States and its citizens.

The US defense establishment has also been discussing when a cyber-attack on facilities such as the American electricity grid could be considered an act of war. Online offensives against official websites have already been recorded, including in Saudi Arabia, and the necessary expertise was available on some forums.

Thomas has said that on jihadist websites there were all sorts of manuals explaining how to make an e-bomb, how to create a virus, how to use encryption techniques. He added further that they were very up to date. And the Saudis have especially been considered very strong.