Sock puppets, or research accounts, are fictitious online identities that conceal an OSINT investigator’s true identity. They are created to gain access to information that requires an account to access. However, it is essential to note that creating fake accounts goes against the Terms of Service of some websites. Therefore, the users are responsible for reading and understanding the Terms of Service of their websites. Although creating sock puppets is not usually illegal, it is equally important to check with your organization’s policies to ensure you have permission to create and use them.
Purpose of Sock Puppets
Sock puppets are created to keep OSINT research separate from personal life. This ensures that OSINT investigators maintain anonymity and practice good Operational Security (OPSEC). It is crucial to emphasize the importance of separating an OSINT investigator’s real identity from their research accounts.
Some social media platforms, such as Facebook, may expose your identity to a target being investigated through friend recommendations. Additionally, if you use your account to conduct online research, you may accidentally like a post or send a friend request to your target. To avoid these risks, it would help if you created sock puppets before starting your research. To put it in perspective, imagine yourself as a police officer conducting surveillance using your vehicle, which would reveal your identity. You would not do that, right? Similarly, using your personal social media accounts to research a subject could be better because it can expose your real identity.
What are the Sock Puppet Functions?
When you are passive, it means that you do not interact with a particular target. However, your profile might still show up in the “suggested friends” or “people to follow” results, so it is advisable to try blending in a little. One way to do this is by choosing a name that fits well with your target group.
Engaging with your target in some way, such as by adding them as friends on Facebook, is essential to conducting active research. Blending in with the target group during active research is even more crucial. If you plan on engaging with your target, creating a few accounts on different platforms is recommended to make it appear like you are a natural person.
