Cyber terrorism sparks Internet debate

Cyber terrorism and its prevention stirred heated discussion at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang province, on Thursday.

The forum attracted more than 100 participants from across the world, including security specialists from the United States and leaders from China's Ministry of Public Security.

Gu Jianguo, director of the ministry's cyber security and protection bureau, talked about terror attacks that had occurred in China this year and confirmed that China has been a major victim of terrorism.

He said most attacks investigated by the ministry were triggered by the Internet. Many terrorists launched assaults after watching videos relating to extremism online.

Bruce McConnell, senior vice president of the EastWest Institute, an international not-for-profit body focusing on international conflict resolution, said cyber terrorism can make it easier for law enforcement officers to better track potential terrorists because traces of their activities will show up online.