6-11-96. FiTi: "US squares up to cyberterrorists." Until recently, the concept of "information warfare" has been widely dismissed as alarmist rhetoric and viewed as "post Cold War hysteria" generated by those with an interest in maintaining the vast US intelligence apparatus. But the potential use of computer networks to undermine public confidence, disrupt essential services, play havoc with the economy or damage military capabilities is now being taken seriously in Washington. Encryption may be just one of many battlegrounds -- others include: proposals for mandatory reporting of corporate computer intrusions and for exceptions to US laws that prohibit intelligence agencies from snooping on domestic communications; the forthcoming ruling by US courts on free speech on the Internet, in response to laws aimed at stopping distribution of pornographic material; and possible limits on information that marketers may gather and use about children who surf the Internet. Also the Clinton administration is planning a rapid-response team to take charge in the event of a cyberterrorist attack. USS_hit