Terrorists are pursuing hacking skills: FBI

San Francisco, Mar 5: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has raised concern over the usage of internet by international criminals and terror organisations to bolster their attack on countries and their governments.

Speaking at an Internet security conference on Thursday, Mar 4, FBI director Robert Mueller warned about the growing threat of cyber crime and explained how a cyber attack could be as detrimental as a 'well-placed bomb'.

"Terrorists have shown a clear interest in pursuing hacking skills and they will either train their own recruits or hire outsiders with an eye toward combining physical attacks with cyber attacks," Mueller said.

"Apart from the terrorist threat, nation-states may use the Internet as a means of attack for political ends," he added.

Nation-state hackers or mercenaries for hire are seeking US' technology, intelligence, the intelluctual property along with information on military weapons and strategies, Mueller warned.

Mueller's statement take up more significance as it comes amid a slew of cyber attacks on government websites and computers.

From the hackers in Australia who wanted to protest against an internet filter, to the alleged hacking attempts from China targeting Indian government computers.

Internet major Google Inc's allegations of hacking against China has also become an international issue.

OneIndia News