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International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management

A Peer-Reviewed, Open-Access International Journal Supporting Multidisciplinary Research, Digital Publishing Standards, DOI Registration, and Academic Indexing.
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ISSN: 3108-1754 (Online)
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Volume 02, Issue 05

Published on: May 2026

THE RISE OF CYBER TERRORISM DURING AND AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:CAUSES, AI-BASED DETECTION, AND PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES

Dr. Sunil Kumar

Guru Nanak College Sri Muktsar Sahib
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i5.593

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally reshaped global socioeconomic structures, compelling individuals and organizations to adopt remote working models and digital solutions at an unprecedented scale. This rapid digital transformation introduced new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploited through sophisticated attacks, including phishing, malware, ransomware, and social engineering. This paper examines the multifaceted causes behind the surge in cyber terrorism during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on psychological, technological, and organizational factors. The study further proposes and evaluates artificial intelligence (AI)-based detection frameworks and preventive strategies to mitigate evolving cyber threats. Employing a mixed-methods research design, findings indicate that the convergence of psychological vulnerability, rapid digitalization, and weakened organizational defenses created fertile conditions for cybercriminal activity. The results underscore the need for a multi-layered cybersecurity approach integrating AI-driven threat detection, cybersecurity awareness training, and psychological resilience frameworks. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on pandemic-induced cyber threats and offers actionable guidance for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.

Keywords: Cyber terrorism, COVID-19 pandemic, artificial intelligence, phishing, ransomware, cyber-psychology, cybersecurity, preventive measures, machine learning, threat detection

How to Cite this Paper

Kumar, S. (2026). The Rise of Cyber Terrorism During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic:Causes, AI-Based Detection, and Preventive Strategies. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(05). https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i5.593

Kumar, Sunil. "The Rise of Cyber Terrorism During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic:Causes, AI-Based Detection, and Preventive Strategies." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 05, 2026, pp. . doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i5.593.

Kumar, Sunil. "The Rise of Cyber Terrorism During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic:Causes, AI-Based Detection, and Preventive Strategies." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 05 (2026). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i5.593.

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  • •Published on: May 19 2026
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