JIHADIS could be poised to launch a devastating cyber attack with the help of mercenary hackers, experts have warned.

Fears are growing that extremists are plotting to paralyse transport networks and banking systems and shut down power grids using computers.

1 Experts have warned jihadis could hire mercenary hackers to launch cyber attacks Credit: Getty Images

Analysts claim that while extremist groups may lack necessary skills to carry out such an attack themselves, the threat should be taken seriously.

One computer boffin has raised the prospect that terror groups like ISIS could be sounding out renegade hackers to do their bidding for them.

Guillaume Poupard, head of France's digital security service ANSSI, said: “Digital attacks with major impacts are unlikely in the short term.

“However, that could change very fast. Our real fear – and we may already be there – is that they will use mercenaries, people who will do anything for money.”

ISIS, Al-Qaeda and other jihadi groups are so far using the internet mainly for propaganda and recruitment purposes.

But that could all be set to change.

Poupard said: “The skills are complex, though not at the level of a nuclear weapon.

“With a few dozen people, a little money – but not that much – you can be effective.”

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Earlier this month, Europol director Rob Wainwright also warned of the use of digital mercenaries by jihadist groups.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wainwright said: “Even if they don't have access to the capabilities, they can simply buy it on the dark web (a hidden internet realm of encrypted websites), where there is an enormous trade in cyber-criminal technology.”

Cyber criminals, often linked to organised crime, are known to use the dark web to sell their services.

And the anonymity of the sites they use mean they could end up helping terrorists without even realising it.

Poupard said: “In fact, that's our fear. It's not so much that ISIS can quickly develop cyber attacks but that they will be able to go through intermediaries.”

Speaking in Davos, retired Pakistani general Raheel Sharif said cyber terrorism was “a real threat”.

He said: “As technology improves, the possibility exists that someone can hack into a very sophisticated system and control that resource in such a way as to do maximum damage somewhere.”

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