Terror in The Dark

Nikita Malik, the Director of the Centre for the Response to Radicalization and Terrorism, at the UK Henry Jackson Society has published: Terror in The Dark: How Terrorists use Encryption, the Darknet and Cryptocurrencies (April 8, 2018).

Terrorists and extremists are increasingly moving their activities online - and areas of the web have become a safe haven for Islamic State to plot its next attacks, according to a report published today by the Henry Jackson Society.

Terror in The Dark: How Terrorists use Encryption, the Darknet and Cryptocurrencies shows how those planning to commit terrorist atrocities are using extremist networks on the ‘Darknet’ to indoctrinate sympathizers, create a reservoir of propaganda, evade detection and fundraise. It calls for urgent action by government and the policing and security services to step up intelligence gathering and action to counter online extremist activity.

The report shows how terrorists are:

• Using encrypted apps such as Telegram to hide, communicate and plan attacks.
• Drawing interested sympathizers from the ‘surface’ world of the web into the Darknet in order to recruit and indoctrinate new supporters.
• Building up reservoirs of propaganda - saving it from deletion by the security services or tech companies and removing it as potential evidence for use by law enforcement.
• Using cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin to fundraise, taking advantage of the anonymity they offer.

Download a copy of the report here (PDF, 61 pages)