Use of internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major security concern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat. (Not more than 200 words)

Internal security is best assessed through its developmental, institutional and implementation dimensions, with equity and resilience as the governing tests.

Non-state actors exploit the internet for propaganda, recruitment, radicalisation, fundraising, misinformation, intimidation and coordination. Social platforms amplify emotional content; encrypted services and anonymous accounts complicate attribution and investigation.

Recent patterns include professionally produced extremist narratives, targeted echo chambers, manipulation of grievances, disinformation during crises, use of fake identities and migration of users across platforms after takedowns. Cyber hygiene failures can expose public institutions and citizens to phishing, malware and data theft.

Responses must protect lawful speech while targeting incitement, terrorist propaganda, coordinated inauthentic behaviour and violent recruitment. Platforms should provide transparent notice-and-action, rapid preservation of evidence, trusted reporting channels, researcher access and escalation for imminent threats, with judicial or statutory oversight.

Strengthen cyber literacy, two-factor authentication, updates, secure backups and verification of sources across government and communities. Build multilingual counter-narratives with credible local voices; train police and prosecutors in digital forensics; improve inter-agency and international cooperation. Do not publish operational details that assist attackers, and audit surveillance for legality, necessity and proportionality.

Keywords: internal security; cyber security; online radicalisation; social media misuse