Right wing extremist groups are rallying to fuel coronavirus panic by exploiting images of social division - including fights over toilet paper, a leading expert warns.

Dr Kristy Campion, a lecturer and researcher at the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security (AGSPS) at Charles Sturt University, said members of extremist groups were using encrypted internet sites to encourage followers to exploit tensions during the crisis.

A leading anti-terrorism expert warns that extremist groups are looking to exploit footage such as these two women allegedly fighting over toilet paper at the Woolworths in Chullora. Credit:Nine News

"They are basically encouraging people to create fake news about the coronavirus to create social unrest," she said.

"In certain Telegram channels they are encouraging followers to spread disinformation about coronavirus in order to exacerbate tensions.