By Stevie Smith Nov 5, 2007, 14:13 GMT
Worrying times could be ahead following claims that infamous terrorist group al Qaeda is in the process of readying a wave of Internet attacks against "Western, Jewish, Israeli, Muslim apostate and Shiite Web sites," in a dedicated online Jihad.
Israeli online military magazine DEBKAfile claims that terrorist group al Qaeda is preparing to launch an "e-Jihad" against anti-muslim Web sites. EPA/SITE INSTITUTE FILE
According to a related FOX News report, the supposed spate of impending Internet attacks have been unveiled by online Israeli military intelligence magazine DEBKAfile, which has claimed al Qaeda’s electronic Jihad is due to arrive on November 11. Specifically, DEBKAfile has revealed that its counter-terror sources intercepted a special Arabic Internet announcement concerning the attacks late last week.
The "e-Jihad" attacks will reportedly see al Qaeda "test their skills by launching cyber attacks against 15 targeted sites," which would then lead to a massive expansion where "hundreds of thousands of Islamist hackers" would shift into action "against untold numbers of anti-Muslim sites."
DEBKAfile has reported that U.S. intelligence agents intent on tracking the targeted Web sites actually caused al Qaeda sites to crash in their haste following the terrorist group’s initial announcement. However, those affected sites were back online soon after, claiming that their Islamist firewalls had successfully deflected the "infidel assault."
It is believed that al Qaeda is looking to use its high-profile announcement – rather than a secret surprise attack – to help it draw prospective recruits towards joining the terrorist group. Further to that belief, al Qaeda is reportedly looking for prospective cyber-jihadi volunteers to download the Electronic Jihad Version 2.0 software package, which will provide instructions on how to use the malignant iteration of Seti@Home via in "impenetrable" e-mail network capable of sidestepping international security agencies.
"Our sources say the instructions come in simple language and are organized in sections according to target," outlines the DEBKAfile report. "They offer would-be martyrs, who for one reason or another are unable to fight in the field, to fulfil their jihad obligations on the Net. These virtual martyrs are assured of the same thrill and sense of elation as a jihadi on the ‘battlefield.’"
While many are directing considerable concern towards DEBKAfile’s claims of an impending al Qaeda cyber attack, there are also those pointing to the reliability of the Israeli online magazine, especially regarding the inaccuracies of its previous warnings.
In particular, a similar wave of devastating attacks was supposed to cripple the Internet community in August of 2004 as cyber jihadis brought their hacking skills to bear against online targets. That attack never came. Also, in 2003, DEBKAfile claimed that Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was preparing to unleash weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) against various U.S. targets. Again, that attack never materialised.
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