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Key U.S. security agencies warn that terrorists might exploit pictures of sensitive facilities such as airports that routinely broadcast to the public through Internet feeds.

A confidential assessment jointly prepared by the FBI and the U.S. Homeland Security Department says online webcams could be a valuable tool for extremists determined to attack critical targets.

The agencies urge government organizations and private-sector partners to “review the information available on their websites, and balance the public need for information with security concerns.”

The Jan. 10 assessment, was prompted by a recent Internet posting that provided a link to a live webcam at an Alaska airport. The assessment says the webcam site allowed the viewer to control the camera, providing the ability to zoom in on the airport terminal and cargo areas. Airport authorities disabled the camera after being notified of the posting.

Security officials have focused on bolstering air security since the 9-11 jetliner attacks on New York and Washington.

“The extremist website posting indicates continued terrorist interest in the aviation sector, and suggests that webcams may be a useful planning tool against critical infrastructure targets,” says the joint assessment.

Webcams have become a widespread and inexpensive means of allowing curious Internet surfers to view real-time feeds of everything from baby eagles to the traffic at busy intersections.

The assessment notes many cameras run by individuals, businesses and government agencies transmit images of weather conditions, famous city squares or geographic highlights, and have little or no surveillance value.

“Webcams at U.S. critical infrastructure locations, however, may allow the open observation of security measures, guard shift changes, and pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns.”

FBI Special Agent Richard Kolko said that given the countless cameras now on the Internet, there’s a need to educate law-enforcement officers as to how they might be misused.

“Sometimes something that’s sitting in front of you that’s obvious might not be recognizable as something you need to be more alert to,” he said Thursday from Washington. “This bulletin helps provide that educational service to them.”