Online information could be aiding terrorists, FBI warns
The FBI's National Infrastructure Protection Center is calling on the operators of the nation's critical infrastructure to be more aware of what information they post online. NIPC has received reports suggesting that "infrastructure-related information, available on the Internet, is being accessed from sites around the world," according to an advisory released Thursday, "Internet Content Advisory: Considering the Unintended Audience." After Sept. 11, numerous federal agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Energy Department, censored elements of their Web sites for fear the information could help terrorists plan future attacks. The NRC has still not fully restored its pre-Sept. 11 Web site. The advisory noted that key details about emergency preparedness plans, power plants, bridges, pipelines, water systems and power lines are all online and that search engines have put "arcane" and "seemingly isolated" information within reach of anyone surfing the Web. NIPC also warned of archival sites where information that was once on the Web can still be freely accessed. The advisory asked Web site operators to answer several questions in determining the risk of keeping certain information online:
- Is biographical or other personal data posted online? If so, could that information be used to harm workers?
- How could someone intent on causing harm misuse this information?
- Could this information be dangerous if it were used in conjunction with other publicly available data?