Pentagon Develops Malware to Launch Cyberattack on Islamic State

The Pentagon is considering to expand its action and scope of cyberattacks against Islamic State because more forceful efforts to deactivate the computers, servers and mobile phones of the extremist group which might reduce its appeal and evade the possible terrorist attacks.

Kansascity.com reported on 20th December, 2015, quoting an unidentified U.S. official as saying, "Military coders and hackers of Cyber Command based at Fort Meade, Md., have developed a range of malware which could be used to disrupt the militant's propaganda and their skill of recruitment".

The investigation of the terror attack in San Bernardino, Calif, revealed that Tashfeen Malik and Sayed Farook were inspired by Online propaganda of extremists to carry out the attack killing 14 people and both had become self-radicalized on the Internet pledging their loyalty to Islamic State on Facebook. This has prompted White House to direct top officials to enhance their cyberwarfare.

Last week, Obama administration said that the competing aims of protecting emails and other personal messages of Americans and helping U.S. intelligence community loosens them to thwart terror plots which are on a "collision" course.

Cyber Command, whose job is to do U.S. offensive operations in cyberspace, has targeted few social media accounts and networks since the time President Barack Obama approved aerial attacks on ISIS last year.

U.S. officials, since long, have criticized Cuba, China, North Korea and other dictatorial states for restricting or banning public access to social media and Internet.

But some of the officials at pentagon believe that more could be done arguing that computer viruses like Trojan horse attachments, denial of service attacks and other digital attacks should be used to take down communications of Islamic State.

Moreover, intelligent officials observe that Islamic State has become more adjustable in changing mobile phones, computers and messaging apps when one is compromised.

Whenever websites of Islamic States are closed or recruiters are jammed, they often switch to other accounts or sites and communication gets out.

According to officials, Ash Carter, Defense Secretary, will meet his cyber commanders this week at Pentagon to study the possibilities which include blocking and usage of viruses to target the communications of Sunni Muslim group.

» SPAMfighter News - 12/29/2015