Cyber Terrorism

Cyber Terrorism

Cyber terrorism is the use of computers or information technology to cause havoc or disruption in the society which is premeditated and politically motivated, For example, the May 2017 Wanacry incident that was termed as a worldwide cyber-attack. This targeted over 300,000 computers that operated on Microsoft Windows operating systems which were attacked was caused by the Wanacry ransomware cryptoworm. The malware encrypted someone’s data and demanded a ransom in the cryptocurrency before decrypting the data back to normal. This attack caused organizations to lose approximately $300 million, damaged reputation and loss of data and customers. It disrupted businesses, government services, contributed to the loss of revenue and creating tension all over.

This type of attack could have been prevented or averted if people observed the following rules. Always ensure you are using a secured network, create a strong password for all your devices, keep your software updated including the Operating System or window, and manage your social media settings to enhance privacy. It is also important to have a backup of your data just in case you fall victim to such an attack and the government should put in place measures to protect the citizens from cyber terrorism.

Reference

Akhgar, B., Bosco, F. M., Elliot, S., Kumaraguruparan, P., Rearick, B., Rogers, M., & Staniforth,A. (2014). Cyber crime and cyber terrorism investigator’s handbook