International Cyber Terrorism

esponse that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist" (p. 7). The internet is a
phenomenal means of communication. People can get their message across to a huge
audience, and with this opens a window for evil. Terrorist organizations can use this
medium to brainwash people. It has been suggested that restricted media coverage of
terrorist attacks would in turn decrease the number of terrorist attacks that occur
afterwards (Cowen 2006).
Economic Disruption
In 2017, the WannaCry and Petya (NotPetya) cyber attacks, masquerading as
ransomware, caused large-scale disruptions in Ukraine as well as to the U.K.’s National
Health Service, pharmaceutical giant Merck, Maersk shipping company and other
organizations around the world. These attacks are also categorized as cybercrimes,
specifically financial crime because they negatively affects a company or group.
Military
Motivations
In the U.S., General Keith B. Alexander, first head of USCYBERCOM, told the Senate
Armed Services Committee that computer network warfare is evolving so rapidly that
there is a "mismatch between our technical capabilities to conduct operations and the
governing laws and policies. Cyber Command is the newest global combatant and its
sole mission is cyberspace, outside the traditional battlefields of land, sea, air and
space." It will attempt to find and, when necessary, neutralize cyberattacks and to
defend military computer networks.
Alexander sketched out the broad battlefield envisioned for the computer warfare
command, listing the kind of targets that his new headquarters could be ordered to
attack, including "traditional battlefield prizes – command-and-control systems at military
headquarters, air defense networks and weapons systems that require computers to
operate."
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