Cyberterrorism is on the rise, posing a significant threat to global events like the Paris Olympics and elections, Resecurity reports. Learn about the alarming increase in online terrorist activity, its potential consequences, and the urgent need for a coordinated response to protect our digital and physical worlds.
The world is on high alert as we approach a period of significant global events – the Summer Paris Olympics and upcoming elections. While the focus is understandably on physical security measures, a dangerous trend is noticed by Resecurity’s researchers.
Resecurity’s research findings shared with Hackread.com, reveal that terrorist groups are increasingly using cyberspace for attack planning, execution, recruitment, and establishing anonymous communication channels. These groups are using encrypted messaging apps for secure communication, making tracking difficult, and weaponizing social media platforms to spread extremist ideologies and incite violence.
According to Resecurity, terrorists are reportedly, using anonymous peer-to-peer networks to spread propaganda, attract youth, and recruit new members. Monero (XMR) and ZEC (Zcash) are the most popular cryptocurrencies used by them. Furthermore, threat actors update cryptocurrency wallets periodically to evade tracking and blur distribution channels for financial transactions to enable money laundering.
On June 28, 2024, terrorists released instructions and tutorials on manufacturing explosive devices, aiming to spread malicious propaganda. Illegal materials were made available for download via surface web resources, making them easily accessible.
“This activity is coordinated and supported by several prohibited media organizations promoting illegal radical ideologies,” researchers identified.
One such organization is ISIS. Reportedly, ISIS has released a threatening image suggesting drones could be used as bomb delivery systems for an attack on the Paris Olympics. The image, shared on al-Ru’ud, shows a faceless person operating a drone carrying a package marked ‘gift’ towards the Eiffel Tower. The caption declares the start of the “Lone Wolves’ Olympics.”
In addition to ‘lone wolf’ attacks, terrorists are spreading educational materials for other groups, providing advanced military training. The content is uploaded to file exchanges hosted in the Tor Network, making it difficult for authorities to identify and block.
Researchers noted that terrorists are promoting secure messenger apps like Session, providing tutorials for followers and recruits to improve OPSEC and configure mobile devices for law enforcement. The content is primarily written in Arabic, but translations are available in French and Russian.
Another issue of concern is emerging technologies, which can enhance terrorist threats by transforming their capabilities and complicating investigations, enabling radicalization, planning, training, plotting, and remote attack methods.
Cyberterrorism is a growing threat and to counter it, law enforcement agencies need to develop advanced tools, the private sector should promptly identify and remove extremist content, and tech firms should develop tools to track high-risk individuals and flag suspicious activity.
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