AGARTALA, Aug 29 (TIWN): IT network engineer and Cyber crime expert Saumen Sarker said, terrorists increasingly are using the Internet as a means of communication both with each other and the rest of the world.

By now, nearly everyone has seen at least some images from propaganda videos published on terrorist sites and rebroadcast on the world's news networks. Western governments have intensified surveillance of such sites but their prosecution of site operators is hampered by concerns over civil liberties, the Internet's inherent anonymity, and other factors. This medium allows information to be easily distributed to those seeking conversion to a particular ideology. The activities include promotion of terror manifestos and ideology, attracting recruitment, psychological warfare, deceptions, communication and networking, fundraising, and attacks on the networks of security authorities.Terrorist groups have made full use of the Internet’s ability to create funds; whether legitimately or otherwise. The main methods that the terrorists achieve this are by, Goods selling: merchandise that is directly related to the terrorist organisation.

Sending emails to sympathizers who registered interest on a group’s website, posting messages on newsgroups/forums and their own websites that give directions as to how and where donations can be made. Using seemingly legitimate charities or businesses that unknown to the donator, directs the funds to terrorist organisations

Illegitimate means of gaining funds that terrorist groups are known to use include credit card fraud, online brokering and gambling

Top decision-makers of both India and Bangladesh have underscored the importance of a prompt intelligence-sharing mechanism between the two countries to combat cross-border terrorism at the 3rd Tripura conclave on 'Terrorism in Bangladesh: Implications for India's Border States', organized by Tripura Infoway.com. One of India's security adviser and former RAW chief AB Mathur said Pakistan is the breeding ground of terrorism in southeast Asia. He was supported by the chief of National Security Intelligence (NSI), Bangladesh, Commodore Nurul Absar.

Tripura Conclave convenor   Saumen said since terrorism is carried out mostly on cyber space these days, it can be stopped by IT intervention.

"In India and Bangladesh, IT solutions to fighting terrorism has not reached the desired level," he said. He added that as many as 294 websites through which global terrorism activities are being carried out have been identified.