Examining Ideologically Motivated Cyberattacks Performed by Far-Left Groups

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4086453
AutoresThomas J Holt (0000-0002-5894-0172, Michigan State University, autor correspondente), Mattisen Stonhouse (Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA), Joshua D Freilich (0000-0001-9538-8551, John Jay College of Criminal Justice), Joshua Freilich (Criminal Justice, John Jay College, New York, NY, USA), Steven M Chermak (0000-0001-5210-1143, Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA)
Ano2021
Volume33
Fascículo3
Páginas527-548
Data de publicação2021-04-03
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoTerrorism and Political Violence (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0954-6553 • E-ISSN: 1556-1836
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09546553.2018.1551213
OpenAlexW2914318157
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas15

Over the last two decades, there has been a massive increase in research examining terror and extremist-related violence. Few have considered the extent to which these same groups may engage in attacks against digital infrastructure and the Internet, whether through hacking or other methods. The absence of empirical evidence calls to question the nature and dynamics of cyberattacks performed by extremists and ideologically motivated actors. This study attempted to address this gap in the literature through a qualitative investigation of 26 attacks performed by far-left groups against targets in the UK, US, and Canada from 2000 to 2015. This data was compared to physical attacks documented in the Extremist Crime Database during the same period. The findings demonstrated that there was an increase in cyberattacks during a period of decreased physical violence by far-left groups. Additionally, there was some parity in the targets of far-left groups on- and off-line, with similar motivations to cause harm to or embarrass businesses, government organizations, and individuals. The implications of this study for our understanding of terror and future research were discussed in detail

Computer security · Criminology · Far right · Hacker · Harm · Ideology · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Terrorism · The Internet · Computer Science · Cybersecurity and Cyber Warfare Studies · Information and Cyber Security · Law · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence