What Is Vortex's Cookbook?

The Age

Saturday November 12, 2005

GEOFF STRONG

POLICE claimed in Melbourne Magistrates Court this week that the men charged with being members of a terrorist organisation had downloaded Vortex's Cookbook from the internet, and had referred to it several times in intercepted conversations. This comprehensive guide to making explosives out of readily available materials is, in internet terms, ancient - it's been available on the net for at least 15 years. It was there well before the war on terror and appears to have emerged from anarchist/computer hacker groups, probably in the United States.

It begins: "Hello everyone! This is the first version of Vortex's Cookbook to be released!! It will contain a few files of deadly and a lot of fun knowledge from the underground. ... DO NOT submit my name or any one elses (sic) under any cercumstances (sic) for something to do with these files!!! If you do you will not ever see another version of this thing and I will find you!!!!!" The "cookbook" lists 71 things to do, including making various types of detonators, bombs and simple missiles.

Some of it seems to be aimed at schoolchildren, as it gives advice on how to disrupt classes with devices such as a bomb made with bird droppings.

So, is it it illegal? The answer goes to the nature of the internet. While commercial interests have gradually gained ground, it still largely allows the free spread of ideas. In Australia, it is illegal to access and download only two types of information: child pornography and how to commit suicide.

Monash University internet law expert Melissa de Zwart says that even if the hosts of the sites that contain something such as Vortex's Cookbook can be found, it has been widely copied and is mirrored on other sites."

Even if you can find the host's registered address, the computer containing the site could have been moved elsewhere and would probably have a whole lot of backup."

A spokesman for federal Attorney- General Philip Ruddock says the legality of looking at Vortex's Cookbook comes down to intentions. "If a student downloads this stuff doing a project on the history of gunpowder, then they have a different intent to someone who has bought all the materials to make a bomb." -- GEOFF STRONG

© 2005 The Age

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