The far right in the USA and Germany, together with Islamists and jihadists globally, were among the first groups to use the Internet to promote their beliefs, and to direct their activities nationally and transnationally. They recognized that they could publish material which in other formats might be subject to state scrutiny and sanction, and that the medium itself could lend a sense of authority that would otherwise be lacking; furthermore, they could do all of this at a low cost. Both the far right and the Islamists and jihadists share elements in terms of their apocalyptic and messianic, totalitarian belief systems. There has been a mutually reinforcing influence between Islamism, Fascism and Nazism, and these groups are all prepared to use extreme violence against military and civilian targets in pursuit of their aims. They have done so already, with substantial loss of life. There is now evidence that these groups are influencing the other. Some far right extremists have expressed support for jihadi terror, some Islamist sites have republished far right material, and there are many common themes. There is no suggestion, at this stage, of collaboration between them, but law enforcement agencies should be aware of the common links.

Seven uses for websites and other Internet tools can be identified, as used by extremist groups: promotion of ideology; propaganda and incitement; internal communication; recruitment; fundraising; training (including the publication of bomb manuals); command and control (including planning, networking and coordinating action). International organizations which are examining the growth of extremist Internet sites should recognize that the medium has become the primary vehicle for promoting such groups' ideas, and for organizing terrorism and even for training adherents. Counterterrorist initiatives should agree on more effective monitoring and interdiction regimes.