Cyberterrorist Messages and Their Effects on Targets: A Qualitative Analysis |
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| Authors: | Elizabeth Minei Jonathan Matusitz |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Communication , University of Oklahoma , Norman, Oklahoma, USA;2. Nicholson School of Communication, University of Central Florida , Orlando, Florida, USA |
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| Abstract: | This study provides a semiotic perspective on cyberterrorism and its opportunity to cause maximal damage while using terrorist propaganda. Data were gathered via in-depth qualitative interviewing. Information was obtained from 10 participants, all of them being law enforcement (LE) agents (e.g., from a U.S. federal agency such as the FBI) or cyber forensics experts. From the participants' narratives, five themes emerged: (1) acknowledgement of the existence of cyberterrorism, (2) postmodern propaganda and publicity, (3) detrimental effects on targets, (4) media implications, and (5) communicative messages. |
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| Keywords: | Cyberterrorism propaganda media postmodernism Internet semiotics |
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