Sunday, November 10, 2013

"Pure" Cyberterrorism

There is another aspect of cyberterrorism out there that many people aren't familiar with. The concept of "pure" cyberterrorism. Pure cyberterrorism is accomplished by utilizing computer technology and the internet to inflict destruction or damage on tangible property, and even death or injury to individuals.  It is this pure cyberterrorism that most writers mean when they discuss the dangers posed by the cyberterrorist. This separation of the various types of cyberterrorism poses a significant impact on our ability to protect ourselves.


I have yet to find any solid examples where pure cyberterrorism has had any real existence. Most of the cyber attacks happening now create fear and panic, but do not cause damage to tangible property.


Are you more concerned with the fear and panic that cyberterrorism can create, or the possibility of this "pure cyberterrorism" where actual tangible damage can occur as a result? Do you feel that pure cyberterrorism is even possible? 

If you can demonstrate any evidence of pure cyberterrorism occurring in the past (physical property damaged or lives lost),  please list below...





Sources:

http://resources.infosecinstitute.com/cyberterrorism-distinct-from-cybercrime/

6 comments:

  1. I have never heard of pure cyberterrorism before now. I cannot think of an example either. I hope that this doesn't become a reality, but I imagine that eventually someone will figure how not only to create fear and panic but to commit actual pure cyberterrorism.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Stuxnet virus could be seen as a form of cyber-terrorism, because it was used to destroy infrastructure in Iran's nuclear program. In the future we may see a day where countries or organizations attack infrastructure of other nations to gain leverage albeit political or economical.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have never heard of pure cyberterrorism, but it sounds like a terrible thing. I hope it does and will never exist because this world does not need any more problems over the web. If it does happen, how can anyone protect themselves?

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is scary to think about. Especially since more and more we are seeing things being controlled by computers. Take cars for instance, how many more years until computers literally control our cars?? It doesn't seem impossible to imagine, then all it would take for someone with wrong intentions to hack these cars, which on a large scale could be a huge instrument for this brand of terrorism.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Couldn't a cyber terrorist potentially shut down the air traffic control towers across the map? Would the result not be considered pure cyber terrorism? I find it highly unlikely that the majority of air traffic at a given time could successfully land without any guidance. Likewise couldn't one shut down the electrical, traffic, or water grids and have the same effect?

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete