14 DAY TRIAL // It's a well-known fact that terrorists are now turning to the Internet to organize attacks and find more information about their next targets but it seems like they plan even more than that. Security expert Gabriel Weimann told Reuters that numerous extremists are now using the web as a way to find new recruits as well as the easiest method to set up training camps and teach other militants how to conduct some sorts of attacks.
"Now they meet in cyberspace. They teach people how to become terrorists on-line. Al Qaeda has launched a practical Web site that shows how to use weapons, how to carry out a kidnapping, how to use fertilizer to make bombs," Gabriel Weinmann told Reuters.
The terrorists' history related to the web is pretty rich because they attempted to find new recruits and promote their causes using several services such as YouTube or other very popular technologies on the web.
Even Google Earth was affected by the terrorists. Back in January, it was reported that some terrorists were using Google's downloadable mapping tool to organize attacks against the UK troops located in Basra. At that time, the Mountain View company took the decision to replace the photos with older ones captured before the departure of the army in the area.
Recently, the terrorists adopted Google's technology once again as they attempted to attack the JFK International Airport using details provided by Google Earth. The authorities discovered the plans before they managed to launch the attack so the case had a happy end.
A few weeks ago, some extremists attempted to promote their plans to attack some financial websites on November 11 and gather more militants who could help them reach their goal. However, November 11 has passed by and nothing dangerous happened so it seems like they didn't manage to attract so many users.