| An Arabic speaking flight simulator and 18 video tutorials suitable for 747 Boeing PMDG type airplanes were recently distributed in two of the most popular global jihad forums over the internet.
The simulator's distributer claims that its dissemination was prohibited after the September 11 attacks, thus hinting at the true purpose of their publication. A far more direct approach is demonstrated by the distributer of the video tutorials who attached a picture of the burning twin towers to his post (see illustration).
This material quickly gained popularity, and within three weeks both the simulator and the tutorials were downloaded hundreds of times using links to file-share sites.
It is important to note that using simulators and tutorials drastically reduces the amount ointelligence signatures emitted while gaithe ability to fly large planes.
Though it is unlikely that using these programs will enable takeoff or landing of such planes, they do equip the user with basic skills for controlling a plane in mid air and navigating it to a certain location, which are the skills required to carry out a 9/11 type attack.
The dissemination of such knowledge in Jihadi forums may be of great assistance to the planning of another 9/11 type attack, taking into account that Muslim flight students in regular flight schools are very likely to raise suspicion. This is again an example of how
commonly available computer based solutions are utilized by activists in order to bypass counter-terror efforts.
In this case, the techno-intelligence signature of such an activity would be the actual possession of flight simulators or tutorials. This may serve as a trigger to a scrutiny of a suspect's activity, as it may be an indication to malicious intents.
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Key points:
• Activists may be training for another 9/11 type attack, using simulators and flight tutorials
• A techno-intelligence signature may be the presence of Arabic speaking flight simulators or tutorials on a suspect’s computer |
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