"This report by the Middle East Research Institute (MEMRI) documents Jihadi use of the Internet, from Al-Qaeda's and other groups' earliest websites and forums in the 1980s to what we see today with the Islamic State: highly professional video productions and widespread presence on social media that are integral for recruiting and training the next generation of jihadists. The study is a vital contribution to understanding this phenomenon, and even more importantly in discussing possible ways of countering it. The study chronicles: - Al-Qaeda's earliest cyber activity - the emergence of the main Al-Qaeda websites and forums - their development into providers of training for hacking, spreading viruses, and other forms of cyber attacks - statements by Al-Qaeda leadership on the importance of cyber jihad - the major shift in online jihad from Jihadi forums to Western social media, which is now depended upon by Jihadis for outreach efforts in the current Syrian and Iraqi conflicts - the nearly decade-long lapse since the U.S. government first pledged to deny terrorists use of the Internet, while Jihadi activity in cyberspace has continued to grow - the younger, more savvy generation of Al-Qaeda activists led by the Islamic State today - the adoption of every emerging technology and social media platform as weapons that make their content viewable anywhere, anytime - the hacking of financial institutions and individuals This landmark study sheds light on a hugely important phenomenon that should be read by everyone in Washington - from the Department of Homeland Security and legislators on Capitol Hill to the Pentagon cyber force, and those in academia studying the cyber realm"-- Provided by publisher
