CYBER TERRORISM
CYBER TERRORISM- THE DARK SIDE OF THE WEB WORLD
“Cyber terrorism is the premeditated use of disruptive activities, or the threat thereof, in cyber
space, with the intention to further social, ideological, religious, political or similar objectives, or
to intimidate any person in furtherance of such objectives.”
Computers and the internet are becoming an essential part of our daily life. They are being used by individuals and societies to make their life easier. They use them for storing information, processing data, sending and receiving messages, communications, controlling machines, typing, editing, designing, drawing, and almost all aspects of life.
The most deadly and destructive consequence of this helplessness is the emergence of the concept of ―cyber terrorism‖. The traditional concepts and methods of terrorism have taken new dimensions, which are more destructive and deadly in nature. In the age of information technology the terrorists have acquired an expertise to produce the most deadly combination of weapons and technology, which if not properly safeguarded in due course of time, will take its own toll. The damage so produced would be almost irreversible and most catastrophic in nature. In short, we are facing the worst form of terrorism popularly known as “Cyber Terrorism”. The expression “cyber terrorism” includes an intentional negative and harmful use of the information technology for producing destructive and harmful effects to the property, whether tangible or intangible, of others. For instance, hacking of a computer system and then deleting the useful and valuable business information of the rival competitor is a part and parcel of cyber terrorism.
The definition of “cyber terrorism” cannot be made exhaustive as the nature of crime is such that it must be left to be inclusive in nature. The nature of “cyberspace‖ is such that new methods and technologies are invented regularly; hence it is not advisable to put the definition in a straightjacket formula or pigeons hole. In fact, the first effort of the Courts should be to interpret the definition as liberally as possible so that the menace of cyber terrorism can be tackled stringently and with a punitive hand.
The law dealing with cyber terrorism is, however, not adequate to meet the precarious intentions of these cyber terrorists and requires a rejuvenation in the light and context of the latest developments all over the world.
“Cyber terrorism is 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.”
A simple yet sturdy definition of Cyber terrorism would be ―unlawful acts wherein the computer is either a tool or a target or both‖. Defining Cyber terrorisms, as ―acts that are punishable by the information Technology Act‖ would be unsuitable as the Indian Penal Code also covers many Cyber terrorisms, such as e-mail spoofing, cyber defamation etc.
