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Cyber-terrorism.
The term cyber-terrorism is quite ambiguous and vague and there's no standard definition for it. However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has defined cyber-terrorism as "the premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer systems, computer programs, and data which result in violence against noncombatant targets by sub national groups or clandestine agents". Given this definition, we must also understand that cyber-terrorism isn't limited or exclusive to foreign groups, but on the contrary, cyber-terrorists can be both domestic, such as Timothy McVeigh or the international, infamous terrorists such as the Al Qaeda. Terrorists, themselves can be classified into those who use cyber-terrorism in addition to other forms of terrorism or those who solely rely on cyber-terrorism to further their cause. We may not realize it right away, but cyber-terrorism has become more of a threat today than ever before in history. Given the infamous and tragic Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, it has become quite clear that cyber-terrorists had more sophisticated hardware, software and knowledge in their possessions to launch such a vicious campaign. Also, with the dawning if the new millennium, almost every facet of life, including financial institutions, production facilities, and government functions, has become increasingly dependent on computer technology. In addition, taking the U.S as an example, its economic growth has been increasingly dependent on electronic transactions that are very vulnerable to cyber-terrorist attack.
Cyber-terrorism is the most attractive and effective form of terrorism today. First of all, it is because cyber-terrorism is cheaper than traditional terrorism. No explosives or weapons of mass destruction or the like are needed here. Cyber-terrorism is also more convenient for terrorists since they need not leave their homes to accomplish this task, all they need is to create their own viruses and release it to the web.