Jihadism online - a study of how al-Qaida and radical Islamist groups use the Internet for terrorist purposes

Abstract

This report offers an analysis of how al-Qaida and likeminded groups use the Internet for terrorist purposes. The phenomenon, referred to in the report as ‘jihadism online’, has increased dramatically over the past few years. The study aims at analysing the present structures and functions of ‘jihadism online’. Contrary to public perceptions on cyberterrorism, digital attacks on computer networks do not seem to be particularly important in the jihadist use of the Internet. Rather, the report finds that the main objectives of jihadism online are of communicative and informative character and include activities such as proliferation of illegal material and propaganda, training and recruitment. The report concludes that the Internet has been, and most probably will become an even more important instrument for the global jihadist movement, and it will continue to influence the nature of terrorism in general.