From the introduction:
"With the widespread use of technology, unprecedented numbers of people are gaining access to the internet, increasing global connectivity. Although people use numerous formats to connect to each other, the use of virtual worlds for communication is becoming exceedingly popular. What began as text-only chat rooms, virtual worlds have developed into three-dimensional environments, with users socializing, communicating, learning, and in some cases, conducting commercial activities. This multi-functional environment has sparked fears among intelligence and security experts that virtual worlds are also becoming a new meeting point for criminal and terrorist organizations. Criminals and terrorists can meet anonymously to recruit, organize, plan, and even potentially train for attacks and criminal operations. In addition, users' actions inside a virtual world can sometimes have dire consequences in the real world."
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