WP: From a Virtual Shadow, Messages of Terror

[krkaufman]

Terror War Spreads to Web
Islamic radicals' use of the Internet is both sophisticated and successful.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1570-2004Oct1.html

From a Virtual Shadow, Messages of Terror

By Ariana Eunjung Cha
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, October 2, 2004; Page A01

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A Tool of Radicals

The Internet, which was created in the 1960s as a communications network that could survive a Soviet nuclear attack, has emerged as a prime tool of Islamic radicals. They use its anonymity to coordinate operations secretly and to get their message to the public sphere with little fear of detection.

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Radical groups have also used the Internet to research potential targets, communicate with each other, plan attacks and raise money. After the 2001 attacks in the United States, federal agents found a lengthy electronic trail. They believe that the hijackers coordinated their movements via e-mail, booked their tickets online and used the network to research such subjects as how to spread pesticides by air.

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The beheading videos, for instance, are set up "like a stage," he said. "They are trying to inspire followers but also to humiliate the enemy."

Bardazzi added that he believed the videos were changing popular sentiment about the war in Iraq the same way the images of fighting during the Vietnam War affected public opinion.

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An Undetectable Hideout

With more than 1 billion linked computers, the Internet is an ideal hiding place for underground groups. The technology allows users to mask their identities and change them on a whim by throwing away old e-mail accounts and creating new ones.

[damian666]

1. Just how long

before certain web sites are blocked by UK and US internet service providers in the interests of security?

Its interesting that the internet for the first time in our history provides us with true free speech - it costs little or nothing to get online and post your opinions on a web site. With public access in libraries etc, it gets easier and easier.

In our local library, they recently stopped the purchase of periodical magazines, as they were 'an unused resource' the local council has no intention to repeal the decision. Of course, a limited reintroduction of certain magazines and papers could... well. I'll let you imagine!