Both of these different groups of people have the potential to use the internet in a negative way by creating sites that are morally wrong and harmful in their very nature.
The internet has become an appealing and simple means for people to form virtual communities. From good to bad there are a number of different communities on the internet. People who share similar interests or beliefs may create their own website in hope to attract more people to their site or to form one of these online communities. A major issue with some of these groups is that a majority of them are created by extremists and other hate groups. A hate group is a number of people who share the same negative beliefs or opinions about a particular race, ethnicity, sexuality, or religion. They challenge certain individuals" rights and liberties by rejecting them in society. These various hate groups use the internet as a way of communicating with their supporters, to recruit, and to intimidate those who appear to be their enemy (Corrections Today, 1999). The hate groups use e-mail to directly communicate with each other in private and to avoid the public. Some extremists, who are concerned that their e-mails will be seen on the web by others, may use cryptographic programs. The cryptographic programs change written information using a secret code, making it impossible for anyone to see it unless they have the knowledge and programs to decode the material (Corrections Today, 1999). This had given hate groups a simple and protected way to exchange plans and opinions online. .
One hate group in particular, Stormfront, was the first online hate group and was formed in 1995. Don Black, the leader of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan was arrested in 1981 with other Klansmen and charged with plotting to invade the Caribbean island of Dominica and turn it into a "white state" (Corrections Today, 1999). Don Black was convicted and sent to serve in prison and the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan separated.
