Pakistan-based terrorists are using pornographic websites for secret communication, according to security officials, who said terrorist groups and Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI are among those using such platforms.
According to officials, terrorists are using these websites to send messages to people recruited in Jammu and Kashmir in an attempt to avoid surveillance on traditional social media platforms.
Officials said some pornography platforms have real-time chat tools intended to help users find nearby dating partners. According to them, handlers are using these chat facilities for terrorist activities.
Tor-based messaging apps also being used
Security agencies have begun examining several specialised digital tools following the discovery of the communication methods.
According to officials, terrorist handlers are also using Tor-based messaging applications such as Cotecks and Conion.
These applications transmit data through encrypted nodes and conceal users’ identities.
Officials said access to Conion’s APK file has been blocked in India.
APK, or Android Package Kit, is the file format used for distributing and installing applications on Android devices.
French, Vietnamese and anonymous apps under scanner
According to security officials, terrorists are also using a France-based application that provides end-to-end encrypted messaging without requiring a SIM card or telephone number.
Officials said this makes identifying users difficult.
Security agencies are also monitoring Vietnam-based applications.
Anonymous platforms such as MoonChat are also under investigation.
According to officials, MoonChat has PGP-encrypted versions that are suspected to have Chinese origins and do not require traditional registration.
Several versions of MoonChat are designed to help users find single people nearby.
Porn apps downloaded through VPNs
Officials said several pornography applications are banned in India but are being illegally downloaded through virtual private networks, or VPNs.
A VPN creates a secure and encrypted internet connection. It can conceal an Internet Protocol address and encrypt online traffic, making online activities and data more difficult to monitor.
Apps working on 2G networks being used
Security officials have also found that handlers and terrorist recruits in the Valley were relying on certain applications capable of functioning on 2G or EDGE network speeds.
Some of these applications do not require users to provide a phone number or email address to register.
Virtual SIMs also under scanner
According to officials, the new communication strategy came to light while security forces were working to stop the use of virtual SIMs created by foreign companies.
A virtual SIM is a technology that allows a computer to generate phone numbers. These numbers can then be used on smartphones through specific applications, leaving very few digital traces.
The use of virtual SIMs had earlier emerged during the investigation into the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.
