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Cyberterrorism

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael

Authors



Abstract

The digital revolution has affected all spheres of life. Society’s infrastructure relies heavily on technology and computers. Extensive and vast communication networks enable the production, distribution, and use of digitized information in all formats. In 2011, Science magazine advised its readers that some 95 percent of all information existing in the planet is digitized and most of it is accessible via computer networks.
Thus our society is called “a network society”: a society constructed around personal and organizational networks powered by digital networks and communicated by the Internet. Because communication networks are global and know no boundaries, the network society is a global network society. The design of the communication networks and their raison d'être are open architecture, freedom of expression, and neutral network of networks. But technology is open to use and abuse. It can be utilized to promote good and it can be exploited to enhance harmful and anti-social interests. Freedom is both an asset and vulnerability. The digital world makes vast amounts of information available to all, including sensitive matters of personal knowledge. Certain information that is publicly available or loosely controlled can become a weapon by terrorists. Llewellyn Kriel, CEO and editor in chief of TopEditor International Media Services, predicted that in 2025 digital criminal networks will become realities. Terrorism will be daily reality. Cyberterrorism will become commonplace. Kriel says: “The world will become less and less safe, and only personal skills and insights will protect individuals.”
Cyberterrorism is a growing global concern. Since computers control the majority of the developed world’s infrastructure, it is easily penetrated by dedicated hackers. Cyber-attacks can create enormous damage at very little cost to terrorists. Cyberterrorism concerns activity that utilizes electronic communication networks to further unlawful and violent ends.

Citation

Cohen-Almagor, R. (2018). Cyberterrorism. In The SAGE Encyclopedia of the Internet (169-171). (2018). SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473960367.n54

Acceptance Date Aug 19, 2016
Online Publication Date Jun 6, 2018
Publication Date Jun 6, 2018
Deposit Date Jun 6, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal The SAGE Encyclopedia of the Internet
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Issue 2018
Pages 169-171
Series Title Barney Warf (ed.), SAGE Encyclopedia of the Internet (Thousand Oaks, CA.: SAGE Publications Inc., 2018
Edition 2018
Book Title The SAGE Encyclopedia of the Internet
ISBN 9781473926615; 9781473960367
DOI https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473960367.n54
Keywords Internet; terror; cyberterror
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/866674
Publisher URL http://sk.sagepub.com/reference/the-sage-encyclopedia-of-the-internet-3v/i2390.xml