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VOX-Pol Blog post.

VOX-Pol Blog post.

This study examines lone wolf attacks, distinct aspect of terrorism, through contemporary dynamics. Broadly, lone wolves are defined as individuals who experience their radicalization processes independently and are often associated with self-radicalization. However, it would be inaccurate to assume that lone wolves are entirely isolated from social processes. Although they do not act on directives when planning and carrying out their attacks, it is essential to recognize their interactions with others. In particular, the relationships they establish during their radicalization process, alongside personal motivations, are significant. The study explores the idea that traditional group dynamics crucial to radicalization are, for lone wolves, facilitated through online environments. The argument that online platforms serve as a socialization milieu for radicalization forms the core contribution and purpose of this research. Accordingly, the study analyzes how online activities influence the radicalization of lone wolves and evaluates strategies to counteract this phenomenon. Lastly, it engages in a discussion on the relationship between lone wolf terrorism and traditional organizational terrorism.

This systematic review unveils significant convergence between cybercriminals and terrorists over the past decade, characterized by substantial overlap in tactics, capabilities, and infrastructure exploitation. Key findings illuminate the adoption of cybercriminal methods by terrorist organizations, the engagement of cybercriminal groups in terrorist activities, the proliferation of enabling technologies such as cryptocurrencies and the dark web, and the role of social media in facilitating knowledge exchange between diverse threat actors. While direct terrorist involvement in profit-driven cybercrime appears limited, the escalating convergence underscores urgent imperatives for enhanced cooperation, legal refinement, the establishment of flexible counter-threat authorities, and collaboration with the private sector. Continuous monitoring of this rapidly evolving landscape is crucial to inform effective policies and interventions in an increasingly interconnected digital world.

VOX-Pol Blog post.

This study sheds light on the emerging threat of terrorists, particularly Hamas and other Palestinian terror organizations, leveraging online crowdfunding and cryptocurrencies. The recent events of October 7, 2023, highlight the pressing nature of this issue. A systematic case analysis reveals the sophisticated exploitation of digital finance for discreet resource accumulation, circumventing traditional oversight. The findings expose unidentified typologies and funding pathways, significantly bolstering terrorist resilience against interdiction efforts. This study provides vital knowledge to catalyze policy adaptations at this critical juncture by probing real-world implications that still lack coordinated responses. Ultimately, this study raises awareness about evolving asymmetries and underscores the importance of closing gaps in vigilance, necessitating academic and policy attention to inform agile, ethical countermeasures before technological vulnerabilities widen further.