“This brief outlines how the internet is being used by terrorists to more effectively recruit and fund and plan their activities. The brief outlines key concepts, current modes of activity and emerging issues” (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 2).

The presence of dissident groups and violent organizations on the internet has been growing exponentially (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 2). According to this brief, there is a consensus that the total number of websites has grown from under one hundred in 1996, to well over 5,000 in 2006 (the year this brief was written) (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 2). The authors claim that officials and experts are aware that internet traffic use by terrorists and their associates peak prominently prior to attacks, therefore, they propose the need to monitor more effectively and analyze the use of the internet by violent groups such as Al Qaeda (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 2). Having said this, the authors raise the question: “ What is the relationship between subversive groups and individuals (and more importantly terrorists) and the internet?” (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 2). In order to decipher this question, the authors first seek to identify the advantages of the internet and how all individuals and organizations benefit from it (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 2). These consist of:

• “easy access
• little or no regulation, censorship, or other forms of government control
• potentially huge audiences spread throughout the world
• anonymity of communication
• a rapid flow of information
• the inexpensive development and maintenance of a web presence
• a multimedia environment
• the ability to shape coverage of the traditional mass media, which increasingly uses the in- ternet as a source for its news coverage”

(Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 2)

More broadly, there is a close alignment in the core values of the internet and democracy: openness, participation, and freedom of expression for all (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 2)

Second, basing on Dorothy E. Denning’s perspective, the authors provide definitions of the three broad methods of activity by non-state actors: ‘activism, hacktivism, and cyberterrorism’, and claim that the boundaries between the three are sometimes blurry (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 3). According to the institutions writing this paper, activism “refers to the normal, non-disruptive use of the internet in sup- port of an agenda or cause; for example browsing the web for information, constructing websites and posting materials on them, transmitting electronic publications and letters through e-mail, and using the internet to discuss is- sues, form coalitions, and plan and coordinate activities” (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 3). Next, they define hacktivism, which they express as “the union of hacking and activism; for example, operations that use hacking techniques against a target’s internet site with the intent of disrupting normal operations but not causing serious damage. ‘Web sit-ins’ and virtual blockades, automated email bombs, web hacks, computer break- ins, and computer viruses and worms are all examples of hacktivism” (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 3). And lastly, they defining cyberterrorism as “the convergence of cyberspace and terrorist activity; for example, politically motivated hacking operations intended to cause grave harm such as loss of life or severe economic damage. Concerns that terrorist groups or individuals may penetrate a nation’s electronic energy, transportation, financial or security grid or system and cause catastrophic damage (nuclear reactor or dam failure, multiple mid-air collisions or downed airliners, disrupting national economies through stock market interference, etc.) are all related to the phenomenon known as cyberterrorism” (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 3).

Furthermore, the authors claim that terrorist group’s online activities include “psychological warfare, publicity and propaganda, data mining, fundraising, recruitment and mobilization, networking, information sharing, and planning and coordination” (Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and Carleton University 2006, 4).