Does Digital Terrorism Really Exist?

Abstract

<jats:p>This paper attempts to answer the question of whether digital terrorism, also known as cyberterrorism, exists. The paper defines terrorism both in the conventional and digital sense. It then gives a short history of conventional terrorism, dating back two thousand years and ending with the terrorist activities in several third-world nations. The essay then discusses digital terrorism, highlighting the Estonian, Georgian, and Ukrainian cyber-attacks. The work concludes that digital terrorism does indeed exist, but that the future is uncertain in the sense that future cyber-attacks will probably not resemble past attacks as the technology advances.</jats:p>

The Evolution of Terrorism in the Digital Age: Investigating the Adaptation of Terrorist Groups to Cyber Technologies for Recruitment, Propaganda, and Cyberattacks

“…Digital platforms have become essential for terrorist organizations to spread their ideologies and recruit, thus amplifying their global reach. This aligns with the findings of Kim & Yun [3] and Buresh [4], who emphasize cyberspace's role in psychological warfare and the progression of digital terrorism. The high R Square value of .764 underlines the effectiveness of these platforms in enhancing terrorist influence, facilitated by the rapid dissemination of propaganda and the anonymity and security they offer [8][26] [27].…”

“…For instance, Kim & Yun [3] have highlighted the use of cyberspace as a crucial platform for psychological warfare, where terrorist groups actively engage in propaganda dissemination, recruitment, and justification of violent acts [3]. This is further validated by Buresh [4], who confirms the existence and evolution of digital terrorism, emphasizing its distinct nature from conventional terrorism [4]. Moreover, Trifunović [5] discusses the exploitation of virtual spaces by radical groups for covert activities such as encrypted communication and indoctrination, signifying a new domain of terrorist operations that demands greater attention and preparedness [5] The case of ISIS, as explored by Margiati & Qodarsasi [6], illustrates the sophisticated use of cyberspace for a range of purposes including global recruitment and attack planning, further demonstrating the complexity and reach of cyberterrorism [6].…”