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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Terror Trackers Tackle Jihadis Online

Two firms spearhead web war on terror

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(Newser) – Two low-profile private contractors are at the forefront of the fight against cyber-jihadis, Der Speigel reports. From secret US locations, IntelCenter and SITE track footprints that al-Qaeda and other groups leave online. They detect new statements in the maze of terror-linked sites and rapidly transmit them to the world's counter-terror agencies.

The firms' experts, posing as Islamic radicals, have won the trust of several network administrators and gained entry to password-protected forums rich in information. The terror-tracking companies are often well ahead of government intelligence agencies and provide them with vital info. But some critics charge they are commercializing the data and evolving into an "information oligarchy."

This frame grab carries the logo of al-Qaida's production house as-Sahab. It was discovered by IntelCenter agents last year.
This frame grab carries the logo of al-Qaida's production house as-Sahab. It was discovered by IntelCenter agents last year.   (AP Photo/Intel Center)
This image from a video made available by IntelCenter last year shows Osama bin Laden in a videotape posted on a militant web site.
This image from a video made available by IntelCenter last year shows Osama bin Laden in a videotape posted on a militant web site.   (AP Photo/via INTELCENTER)
This frame grab is taken from an online video issued by The Turkistan Islamic Party and provided by IntelCenter earlier this month.
This frame grab is taken from an online video issued by The Turkistan Islamic Party and provided by IntelCenter earlier this month.   (AP Photo/IntelCenter)
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