[UgaBYTES] On Telecentre.org: Cyber Terrorism- How can we safeguard ourselves?

[Mwathi Francis]

What is Cyber Terrorism?

Cyber Terrorism is defined as “premeditated, politically motivated
attacks against information, computer system, computer programs, and
data which result in violation against non combatant targets by sub
national groups or clandestine agents.”
Eg: recent experience from Sri Lanka. Recently in Sri Lanka, we
discuss about certain websites those that carry propaganda against Sri
Lanka publishing false reports by terrorist supporters. Channel-4 News
in the UK broadcasted an unauthenticated video clip, accusing Sri
Lanka Army and the government of war crimes. This particular video
clip, which shows a person in military uniform shooting a man and a
woman who were bound, was shown on Channel-4 news on 25th August 2009.
It was later shown on BBC, CNN and many other news channels as well as
web sites and led to the damage of the reputation of Sri Lankan
government forces. The reconciliation, rehabilitation and
reconstruction process in Sri Lanka after its ethnic war is also
negatively affected by this false allegation. It is also important to
note that, other than Sri Lanka, powerful countries like U.S.A., India
and Pakistan have been already affected by terrorist propaganda using
internet.

What are the difficulties in preventing cyber terrorism?

Internet is an efficient and effective tool of communication to carry
worldwide propaganda and terrorist groups can post abusive and false
messages hiding the exact location of terrorists groups. Collecting of
evidence relating to cyber terrorism may be rather difficult since
these sub groups carry attacks from distant servers located in
different jurisdictions and due to their interaction with similar
groups in the world. Also, ‘Right to information’ and ‘freedom of
expression’ guaranteed under most of the Constitutions in the world
and States feel that controlling of free flow of information will be a
violation of human rights. Therefore, it is not easy to ban some
websites without having international support.

Finding Solutions for Cyber Terrorism.....

Under such circumstances, how can we safeguard ourselves from cyber terrorism?
Please share your ideas, views, suggestions and comments.

Thank you


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http://www.telecentre.org/forum/topics/cyber-terrorism-how-can-we?page=1&commentId=2086278%3AComment%3A40315&x=1#2086278Comment40315

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Francis Mwathi
Support Community Facilitator
UgaBYTES Initiatives (www.ugabytes.org)
Telecentr.org (www.telecentrecommunity.ning.com)
Tel: +256 414 370163
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Skype: francis.mwathi
E-Mail: mfrancis at ugabytes.org