The use of the Internet

12
THE USE OF THE INTERNET FOR TERRORIST PURPOSES
may bear the characteristics of an act of terrorism, including the fundamental desire
to instil fear in furtherance of political or social objectives. An example of a cyberattack
was seen in Israel in January 2012, involving the targeting of multiple symbolic Israeli
websites, such as the websites of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and the national airline,
and the unauthorized disclosure of the credit card and account details of thousands of
Israeli nationals. 19 While a considerable amount of attention has focused in recent years
on the threat of cyberattacks by terrorists, that topic is beyond the scope of the present
publication and, as such, will not be a subject of analysis.
C. Uses of the Internet for countering terrorist activity
29. While terrorists have developed many ways to use the Internet in furtherance of
illicit purposes, their use of the Internet also provides opportunities for the gathering
of intelligence and other activities to prevent and counter acts of terrorism, as well as
for the gathering of evidence for the prosecution of such acts. A significant amount of
knowledge about the functioning, activities and sometimes the targets of terrorist organizations
is derived from website, chat room and other Internet communications. Further,
increased Internet use for terrorist purposes provides a corresponding increase in the
availability of electronic data which may be compiled and analysed for counter-terrorism
purposes. Law enforcement, intelligence and other authorities are developing increasingly
sophisticated tools to proactively prevent, detect and deter terrorist activity involving
use of the Internet. The use of traditional investigative means, such as dedicated
translation resources for the timely identification of potential terrorist threats, is also
expanding.
30. Online discussions provide an opportunity to present opposing viewpoints or to
engage in constructive debate, which may have the effect of discouraging potential supporters.
Counter-narratives with a strong factual foundation may be conveyed through
online discussion forums, images and videos. Successful messages may also demonstrate
empathy with the underlying issues that contribute to radicalization, such as political
and social conditions, and highlight alternatives to violent means of achieving the desired
outcomes. 20 Strategic communications that provide counter-narratives to terrorist propaganda
may also be disseminated via the Internet, in multiple languages, to reach a
broad, geographically diverse audience.
31. The Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications, based in the United
States, offers an example of a recently launched inter-agency initiative which is aimed
at reducing radicalization and extremist violence by identifying in a timely manner
extremist propaganda, inter alia, on the Internet and responding swiftly with targeted
19 See Isabel Kershner, “Cyberattack exposes 20,000 Israeli credit card numbers and details about users”, New York
Times, 6 January 2012; and “2 Israeli web sites crippled as cyberwar escalates”, New York Times, 16 January 2012.
20 Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force Working Group on Use of the Internet for Terrorist Purposes,
“Conference summary and follow-up/recommendations” of the Conference on the Use of the Internet to Counter the
Appeal of Extremist Violence, held in Riyadh from 24 to 26 January 2011. Available from www.un.org/en/terrorism/
ctitf/pdfs/ctitf_riyadh_conference_summary_recommendations.pdf.