JEDDAH: New measures are needed to counter the way terrorists are using the Internet to raise funds, gain more members, learn how to make bombs and carry out attacks.

According to Naif bin Mohammad Al-Marwani, a security expert, there was a need to urgently update several international agreements on combating terrorism.

Speaking to a local publication recently, Al-Marwani said new guidelines have to be drawn up on the security risks that the Internet poses today, which should look at funding and conducting extensive researches in the field.

This would then have to be adopted by countries around the world to ensure effective implementation.

Al-Marwani said extremist groups cannot carry out terrorist attacks without funds and the use of modern technology for communications and transfer of data.

“On the Internet, there are free lessons for extremist groups, especially beginners, on how to make Molotov cocktails, parcel bombs, and other explosive devices,” he said.

He said the Internet is being used quite effectively by these groups to recruit new members, who are then convinced to disseminate their messages and raise funds.

These extremists collect information on individuals in chat rooms, particularly vulnerable young people who they can manipulate to do their bidding, he said.

Al-Marwani said this a major challenge facing nations across the globe, particularly now that these groups are employing experts in technology and information systems.

“The Internet might contribute to the increase of what has been dubbed ‘information terrorism,’ which can damage the vital and strategic interests of states,” he said.