Virtual Terror: From Training Camps to Virtual Sanctuary: The Impact of Islamic Jihad in the Virtual World

Author: Vivian M. Salama

'“From Hezbollah to al-Qaeda, terrorist groups--that is, extremist Islamic networks or groups dubbed terrorists by the current United States administration--have commonly embraced the newest forms of communications technology. The Internet is no exception. Web 2.0 is by definition a place where communities of like-minded people come together to contribute and augment content and ethos respectively. Thus, creating a cross-national space in which ideas spark reaction and “evolution,” as is evident with many of the extremist Islamic movements worldwide. The rapidity with which this modern day form of black propaganda is spreading is far greater than the efforts being made to curb its threat. This study will briefly explore how the complexity of the expanding Internet, coupled with issues such as privacy clauses and freedom of speech, has complicated efforts to police the web against the spread of activities by Islamic fundamentalist groups that could pose a threat of some kind.”