News Briefs - Networking:

al Qaeda's Internet Use Grows

Due to recent U.S. efforts to shut down al Qaeda training camps, terrorist groups are moving their operations to the Internet. The Internet provides terrorist organizations with multiple avenues for communication and organization.

In fact, the Internet may now be al Qaeda's main method of relaying messages and ideas according to terror analysts. After September 11th, propaganda and recruitment information increased dramatically online. Experts now see al Qaeda's efforts to be like an open university, recruiting "students" from across the Middle East.

There are currently thousands of al Qaeda articles online today, and manuals are published almost weekly.

Physically located in Germany, al Qaeda's main Web site is probably produced in Saudi Arabia.

Some ISPs unknowingly host certain sites, and when they are shut down, most pop up in another place.

In addition, there is plenty of available software for al Qaeda to easily spread their views and ideas. Message boards, email lists and blogs all help to proliferate their initiatives.

Of course, it is obvious to terrorists that Western intelligence agencies are constantly tracking Internet activity and that encrypted codes and language will attract attention.

Though al Qaeda could use an instant messenger program virtually detection free, they frequently publish explicit information on the Internet. They hope to explain and justify their actions in hopes of attracting future followers.

In the few weeks before the Madrid bombings, for instance, they released a strategy outlining their animosity towards America and its allies, specifying Spain as a weak link.

The Internet cannot be denied to terrorists. Virtually anyone in the world can gain access to this information superhighway. But intelligence agencies can further their efforts by studying the explicit Arabic writings found online.

It just may prevent a future 9/11.