Second Life: Limits Of Creativity Or Cyber Threat?

Abstract

The paper explores the possibility of the spread of extremism and the potential threat of cyber terrorism in the fast growing virtual world of Second Life (SL). After introducing SL, the paper looks at the 'griefing' attacks in Second Life, which may be akin to terrorism in real life. It also analyses the potential use of SL for indoctrination, recruiting, rehearsing attacks, organisation and communication by extremist groups. The paper states that social interaction that mirror real life interactions in Second Life can provide opportunities for the sharing of socio-political ideas and even an avenue for organising political activities. There also exists the potential use of SL by extremist groups for enhanced and easier communication. Rehearsing attacks is improbable while some initial planning and reconnaissance for potential terrorist attacks can be carried out. However, the threat of money laundering in SL is credible. Today, the spread of extremism on the Internet and their potential foray into the virtual world is a credible threat that all stakeholders in the international community need to be aware of.