Sock puppet account | Solutional Web Design Antwerp

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A sock puppet account, in the context of online communities, refers to a deceptive practice where an individual creates multiple user profiles or identities on the same platform. This is often done to manipulate perceptions of popularity, credibility, or relevance. Notable historical figures like Walt Whitman, Anthony Burgess, and Benjamin Franklin have been known to use similar tactics before the advent of the internet^[3]. Sock puppetry can be used for various purposes, such as circumventing bans, manipulating online polls, stealth marketing, and spreading propaganda. It's a practice that has legal implications and has been used in various sectors including politics, media, and social media^[1]. The identification of sock puppet accounts often involves technical methods, such as IP address^[2] comparison and writing style analysis. It's a complex issue that intertwines with other online threats, such as catfishing, phishing, and cyber attacks.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ social media. Social media is a broad term encompassing a variety of digital tools and platforms that facilitate the sharing of information and the creation of virtual communities. Emerging from early systems like PLATO and ARPANET, it has evolved into modern platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These platforms offer unique features that differentiate them from traditional media, including the ability for users to generate content and engage in dialogic communication. They cater to over 100 million users globally and offer different forms of services, such as messaging apps and collaborative content creation platforms. The use of social media has far-reaching impacts on individuals, society, and businesses, influencing everything from marketing practices to political processes. However, it's also associated with ethical concerns, such as the spread of misinformation and potential addiction.

2. ↑ IP address ( IP address ) An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to each device connected to a network, enabling data to be sent and received accurately. It functions like a street address for the internet, marking the specific location of a device within a network. There are two versions of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4, the older version, has 32-bit addresses, while IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, offering a significantly larger number of possible addresses. IP addresses can be public or private, with private ones used within a local network and public ones used on the internet. Other key aspects include subnetting for routing efficiency, autoconfiguration for dynamic assignment, and potential conflicts from multiple assignment methods. IP addresses also play a significant role in routing and geolocation, determining the geographic position of devices. There are legal and regulatory aspects to consider, due to privacy concerns, and they are crucial in network configuration and troubleshooting.

Glossary

Sock puppet account (Wikipedia)

A sock puppet is a false online identity used for deceptive purposes. 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, to manipulate public opinion, or to circumvent restrictions such as viewing a social media account that a user is blocked from. Sock puppets are unwelcome in many online communities and forums.

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