From Car Bombs to Logic Bombs: The Growing Threat from Information Terrorism

In: Terrorism and political violence, Band 12, Heft 2, S. 97-122

Abstract

The vulnerability of the critical infrastructure has led to increasing concern that it will be the target of terrorist attacks. This article explores definitional aspects of information terrorism & identifies two groups likely to find information terrorism attractive: conventional terrorist groups & information culture groups. As computer sophisticated youth move into the ranks of conventional terrorist groups, the groups will increase their reliance on computer technology, & information terrorism will be incorporated into a hybrid tactical repertoire. Information culture groups, however, confine their attacks to cyberspace. In contrast to the powerful group dynamics of the traditional underground group, networked groups, particularly information culture terrorists, may only be in contact electronically, & are subject to a radically different group psychology, virtual group dynamics, that significantly affects their decision making & risk taking, & has dangerous security implications. Adapted from the source document.