Terrorists and extremists are creating growing numbers of safe havens on the “dark net” to plot future attacks, raise funds and recruit new followers, new research reveals. Researchers said that the current encrypted communication app of choice is Telegram, which Islamic State has encouraged members to use, with messages including explanations on how to access new dark net sites linked to the group. In November 2017, an al-Qaida-linked organisation called al-Sadaqah used a public channel on Telegram to campaign for bitcoin funding. “The authorities must move urgently to increase their knowledge of terrorists’ activities in cyberspace and their use of technologies such as bitcoin. A preliminary search on the dark net on 18 January by Malik found 1,101 results for instructional material related to “security”, including guides on drugs, fraud, hacking, and firearms.

Source: The Guardian April 08, 2018 06:00 UTC