Movie plot threat
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Movie plot threat is a term for terrorist fears based on very specific attack scenarios. They do not present a realistic scenario to build security measures on but rather serve to scare people. The term was introduced by security specialist Bruce Schneier. Preparing for a movie plot threat is usually not effective, since it only pays of if your guess of the scenario is right. Overall security is not improved however as terrorist may just as likely pick some other way to terrorize.
Among many other examples Schneier described banning baby carriers from subways [1] for fear that they contain explosives a movie plot threat [2].
And if we ban baby carriages from the subways, and the terrorists put their bombs in duffel bags instead, have we really won anything?
During april 2006, Schneier had a contest on creating the most fantastic movie plot threat.
