Extremist Content Online: ISIS
& Allies Recruit, Fundraise Online
(New York, N.Y.) - The Counter Extremism Project
(CEP) reports weekly on the methods used by extremists to exploit the
Internet and social media platforms to recruit followers and incite
violence. This week’s edition details the emergence of a new ISIS
video from its self-proclaimed state in Turkey, the push by ISIS
allies to ensure supporters know how to financially support terror
activities and the relaunch of ISIS’ Rocket Chat account to spread
propaganda and facilitate communications among members.
ISIS Releases First Video from Self-Proclaimed State in
Turkey
On Wednesday, July 10, ISIS released their first video from the
group’s self-proclaimed state in Turkey. Wilayah Turkey was first made
public in an ISIS video in late April 2019, featuring the group’s
leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The video, part of the “The Best Outcome
is for the Pious” series, shows five fighters pledging their
allegiance to Baghdadi and threatening attacks in Turkey. ISIS last
claimed an attack in Turkish territory in 2017.
In addition to Telegram, the video was uploaded to at least 25
websites: Mediafire, Tune.pk, the Microsoft One Drive, Top4top, Amazon
Drive, Anonfile, the Internet Archive, Bayfiles, mail.ru, Dailymotion,
Google Drive, file.fm, mega.nz, megaup, ok.ru, Streamable,
transfer.sh, dalfak.com, Dropbox, Vidio, Myspace, yadi.sk, zupload,
ownCloud, and Pcloud. Approximately 24 hours later, the video was
still available on at least 12 websites: Mediafire, Top4top, the
Internet Archive, megaup, ok.ru, Streamable, transfer.sh, Vidio,
Myspace, zupload, ownCloud, and Pcloud.
“The Best Outcome is for the
Pious,” on Streamable, July 11, approximately 24 hours after it was
uploaded
Pro-ISIS Tech Group Advises Users on Sending Money
Online and Using cryptocurrency
On July 10, the pro-ISIS Electronic Horizons Foundation (EHF) made
a post on PasteThis.To and on their website, advising users on secure
online financial transactions and cryptocurrency. EHF listed the
potential dangers of using bank cards, Western Union, bank transfers,
in person hand offs, cryptocurrency, and other methods and services.
EHF recommends using Bitcoin and noted that the group will provide
more information in the future on the cryptocurrency.
EHF offers information on topics such as Internet and information
security, and counter-surveillance. The group’s website offers
numerous guides on topics including encryption, online anonymity, and
operating system security. The Electronic Horizons Foundation
previously had a dark web site that is no longer active. The current
site uses the company Hostinger as its registrar, and Cloudflare as
its name server. Electronic Horizons Foundation exists in order to
preserve the online ISIS community and keep it safe from law
enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Pro-ISIS Telegram Channel Continues to Post PayPal
Links
A pro-ISIS Telegram channel continues to post PayPal pool links,
allegedly for women ISIS members held in refugee camps in Syria. A
PayPal pool link on July 8 had over 20 contributors and had raised
over €1,400. Pro-ISIS Telegram chats and channels have been advocating
using PayPal to send money online.
ISIS Channels on Rocket Chat Return
After approximately one month of inactivity, ISIS chats and
channels have returned to the communications platform Rocket Chat.
Unknown individuals created pro-ISIS chatrooms in Rocket Chat in
December 2018. In April 2019, pro-ISIS Rocket Chat chatrooms moved
from the .xyz to the .to domain. Content on the platform currently
includes ISIS propaganda videos and news, religious propaganda,
information on counter-surveillance, and information security. Chat
functions allow users to communicate with one another.
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