Cyber-terrorism

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 451.

Domestic terrorism

It is the commission of terrorist attacks in a state by forces inside or originating from that state, as opposed to terrorist attacks by forces external to the state. Examples of domestic terrorist attacks include the Oklahoma City bombing, the pipebombing during the Atlanta Olympics, and the Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway. Historical examples include the Gunpowder Plot, the Haymarket Square bombing, the Watts Riots, and Harper's Ferry.

Domestic terrorism is generally unexpected: when a terrorist attack occurs, often the first reaction is to presume that it was committed by foreigners. That presumption was made in the case of the Oklahoma City bombing. The revelation that the attack was actually committed by white American neo-nazis was a shock to the people of the United States and served as an embarrassment to the United States media.

Cyber-terrorism is terrorism that uses cracking and Internet-based attacks in the service of terrorism.

As the Internet becomes more pervasive in all areas or human endeavor, individuals or groups can use the anonymity afforded by cyberspace to threaten citizens, specific groups (i.e. members of an ethnic group or belief), communities and entire countries.

A distinction is made between terrorists that use available technology and the pure cyber-terrorists.