NCJ Number
191303
Date Published
1998
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses cyber-biotech terrorism.
Abstract
As computers become increasingly inexpensive, small, and user-friendly, cyberspace crime, including terrorism, will increase. Terrorism is defined broadly as unlawful threats or use of violence designed to coerce individuals or groups to modify their behavior, usually to accommodate the terrorists’ political or personal agendas. As computers have become the central tools for the change from an industrial to a high-tech information-based society, both methods and targets of terrorists have changed. Terrorists will find themselves caught up in the computer revolution because their targets are computer controlled, computer protected, or both. Computer networking and computer drones will greatly reduce the risk of getting caught for the terrorist. Some religious zealots believe that destroying the technological tools, especially computers, will revert society to the simpler “good old days” they imagine. Coexisting with these traditional groups are new types of terrorists, some with different motives, different targets, or both. With the advent of electronic banking, much larger amounts of money can be stolen via computers than has been possible through other methods. The United States tax system will become an even bigger target as all taxes are paid electronically. Other government targets will be benefit programs and record-keeping systems. Crippling the military will continue to be a priority. Businesses are also vulnerable, particularly to theft or revenge or both by their employees. Like computers, biotechnology offers new targets and new methods to terrorists. Prevention of these types of crimes must go beyond high-tech spying and widespread searching without warning in cyberspace if the public is to be protected and served by authorities. 1 note