Cyber Terrorism

Essay by djdatnasty June 2003

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In today's society, people are always trying to improve technology, but in doing so, are they creating something that can be used to create mass destruction for the United States? Everyday computers get faster, new programs are written, or some computer programmer might find a faster and more efficient way to complete a job or task. For most people, they welcome the advancement of science to ease their lives, but it is known that technology can also be used to create havoc, and destroy human beings.

The United States is finding out that being a world power, other countries are jealous. Most understand the word terrorism to mean bombs, and mass murders, but with the evolution of the computer age, terrorism is taking on a whole new meaning. No longer is computer hacking something from a movie, or a sci-fi flick; it is now a real danger to the United States.

This new technology is being called Cyber Terrorism, and is used by a variety of people. Many radical rebel groups, and other terrorist groups are using the World Wide Web to preach propaganda, and some U.S. officials believe they are also sending encrypted e-mails detailing when their next attack will be.

The Columbian Rebel Group ELN is one of the many terrorist groups known to have a web page on the Internet. The ELN is known mainly for blowing up oilrigs in

South America, and for kidnapping foreign executives. Most groups like the ELN uses the Internet to simply tell others around the world about their organization and to soften their image from what is heard about them in the news.

The FBI is very concerned about cyber terrorism; for fear that one might begin an electronic attack, which could shut down power plants, or airports vital to...