The Role of Honeypots and Sabotage in State-Based Operations Against Online Jihadism, 2001-2020

This article offers a descriptive analysis of intelligence operations carried out by the United States and its allies against the presence of jihadist groups on the Internet during the period 2001–2020. In contrast to actions aimed at eliminating the virtual spaces in which terrorists operate, the i...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Torres-Soriano, Manuel R. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2023
In: Terrorism and political violence
Year: 2023, Volume: 35, Issue: 6, Pages: 1440-1450
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Al Qaeda
Islamic State
intelligence services
Propaganda
cyberactivism
Internet
Description
Summary:This article offers a descriptive analysis of intelligence operations carried out by the United States and its allies against the presence of jihadist groups on the Internet during the period 2001–2020. In contrast to actions aimed at eliminating the virtual spaces in which terrorists operate, the intelligence operations analysed here are designed to erode terrorists’ trust in such spaces without compromising intelligence sources. The article argues that the combination of cyberattacks and psychological operations in the form of honeypots and sabotage have achieved considerable success in terms of reducing terrorist activities on the Internet and undermining the effectiveness of propaganda initiatives undertaken by terrorist groups.
ISSN:1556-1836
DOI:10.1080/09546553.2022.2050221