How much of this is real, and how much is fear-mongering? We have heard of plans for the government being able to take over the internet. All it would take is one simulated/phony attack to let them do it.
This is true. However, one way to truly harm this country is to disrupt it's communications systems. Look at how 9/11 affected the economy. IMO, we rely far too much on computers, which are vulnerable to many outside influences. Just imagine how an EMP burst would affect this country. Most of today's vehicles wouldn't even work, not to mention the massive disruption something like that would cause. If the terrorist compromise our networks, we're going to have serious problems. Look at the attacks on our networks that the Chinese have allegedly committed.