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A sock puppet is a false online identity used for deceptive purposes. [1] The term originally referred to a hand puppet made from a sock . Sock puppets include online identities created to praise, defend, or support a person or organization, [ 2 ] to manipulate public opinion , [ 3 ] or to circumvent restrictions such as viewing a social media ...
Apr 29, 2020 · In 2017, a study was published analyzing 3656 verified sockpuppets in the comment section of various discussion communities. The University of Oxford estimated 70 countries were affected by state-sponsored social media manipulation in 2019, a 150% increase from just 2 years prior.
- Sock Puppets, Bots and Trolls
- Why A Sock Puppet account?
- Spotting A Sock Puppet Account
- Unmasking Sock Puppets
- What to Do About A Sock Puppet Account
- Sources
Let’s start by differentiating sock puppets from bots and trolls, two other kinds of accounts that are often problematic. Trolls may or may not be legitimate users, but their primary purpose is to generate reactions and outrage. According to the Oxford Dictionary’s website, the term was originally a riff on the idea of trolling for fish, but in thi...
There are several reasons a user might opt to create a sock puppet account. A few of the more common reasons include the following:
Researchers can draw on sophisticated software routines to identify sock puppets (or even detect puppets controlled by the same person), but you don’t really need to bring that kind of firepower to bear. Sock puppet accounts usually share a handful of common characteristicsthat make them easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for. These inc...
It’s not always possible to find out exactly who is behind a sock puppet account. Accounts operated by sophisticated nation-state hackers are pretty good at hiding their origin, but your bitter ex, your toxic former employee or an intern at a dodgy company or political consultancy will probably have a less robust understanding of how to cover their...
What you do with that information once you have it is a judgment call, depending on the situation you’re in, such as the following examples illustrate: 1. If you’re being harassed or bullied, you might screenshot your search results(and your online interactions with the sock puppet) and take them to law enforcement, school officials or — if applica...
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary: Troll (Verb)San Antonio Public Library: Social Media Misinformation Agents: Bots, Sockpuppets and TrollsVice: I Made My Shed the Top-Rated Restaurant on TripAdvisorBerkeley Economic Review: Paying Attention: The Attention Economy- Fred Decker
Jun 24, 2020 · Fake accounts like this are called “sock puppets” – suggesting a hidden hand speaking through another identity. In many cases, this deception can easily be revealed with a look at the ...
- Jeanna Matthews
Sep 1, 2015 · Wikipedia's CheckUser team found that the banned accounts, run by so-called "sockpuppets", were active between April and August this year -- but could have been operating for some time longer.
Oct 17, 2023 · Sock puppet accounts are fake online accounts that are used to deceive others. They are often created to spread misinformation, propaganda, or to attack someone’s reputation. Sock puppets can also be used to manipulate public opinion or to promote a particular product or service.
A sockpuppet is a false online name and profile created to hide the author’s identity, usually because of personal, political or financial ties to whatever is being discussed or reviewed. Sockpuppets try to sway people’s minds for profits, for petty ego — or for much worse.
