[THS] Facebook and Twitter: Fake People

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http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article27522.htm

Revealed: Air Force ordered software to manage army of fake virtual people

By Stephen C. Webster

February 19, 2011 "Raw Story" -- These days, with Facebook and Twitter and social
media galore, it can be increasingly hard to tell who your "friends" are.

But after this, Internet users would be well advised to ask another question entirely:
Are my "friends" even real people?

In the continuing saga of data security firm HBGary, a new caveat has come to light:
not only did they plot to help destroy secrets outlet WikiLeaks and discredit
progressive bloggers, they also crafted detailed proposals for software that manages
online "personas," allowing a single human to assume the identities of as many fake
people as they'd like.

The revelation was among those contained in the company's emails, which were
dumped onto bittorrent networks after hackers with cyber protest group
"Anonymous" broke into their systems.

In another document unearthed by "Anonymous," one of HBGary's employees also
mentioned gaming geolocation services to make it appear as though selected fake
persons were at actual events.

"There are a variety of social media tricks we can use to add a level of realness to all
fictitious personas," it said.

Government involvement

Eerie as that may be, more perplexing, however, is a federal contract from the 6th
Contracting Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, located south of Tampa, Florida, that
solicits providers of "persona management software."

While there are certainly legitimate applications for such software, such as managing
multiple "official" social media accounts from a single input, the more nefarious
potential is clear.

Unfortunately, the Air Force's contract description doesn't help dispel suspicions. As
the text explains, the software would require licenses for 50 users with 10 personas
each, for a total of 500. These personas would have to be "replete with background ,
history, supporting details, and cyber presences that are technically, culturally and
geographacilly consistent."

It continues, noting the need for secure virtual private networks that randomize the
operator's Internet protocol (IP) address, making it impossible to detect that it's a
single person orchestrating all these posts. Another entry calls for static IP address
management for each persona, making it appear as though each fake person was
consistently accessing from the same computer each time.

The contract also sought methods to anonymously establish virtual private servers
with private hosting firms in specific geographic locations. This would allow that
server's "geosite" to be integrated with their social media profiles, effectively gaming
geolocation services.

The Air Force added that the "place of performance" for the contract would be at
MacDill Air Force Base, along with Kabul, Afghanistan and Baghdad. The contract
was offered on June 22, 2010.

It was not clear exactly what the Air Force was doing with this software, or even if it
had been procured.

Manufacturing consent

Though many questions remain about how the military would apply such technology,
the reasonable fear should be perfectly clear. "Persona management software" can
be used to manipulate public opinion on key information, such as news reports. An
unlimited number of virtual "people" could be marshaled by only a few real
individuals, empowering them to create the illusion of consensus.

You could call it a virtual flash mob, or a digital "Brooks Brothers Riot," so to speak:
compelling, but not nearly as spontaneous as it appears.

That's precisely what got DailyKos blogger Happy Rockefeller in a snit: the potential
for military-run armies of fake people manipulating and, in some cases, even
manufacturing the appearance of public opinion.

"I don't know about you, but it matters to me what fellow progressives think," the
blogger wrote. "I consider all views. And if there appears to be a consensus that
some reporter isn't credible, for example, or some candidate for congress in another
state can't be trusted, I won't base my entire judgment on it, but it carries some
weight.

"That's me. I believe there are many people though who will base their judgment on
rumors and mob attacks. And for those people, a fake mob can be really effective."

It was Rockefeller who was first to highlight the Air Force's "persona" contract, which
was available on a public website.

A call to MacDill Air Force Base, requesting an explanation of the contract and what
this software might be used for, was answered by a public affairs officer who
promised a call-back. No reply was received at time of this story's publication.

Other e-mails circulated by HBGary's CEO illuminate highly personal data about critics
of the US Chamber of Commerce, including detailed information about their spouses
and children, as well as their locations and professional links. The firm, it was
revealed, was just one part of a group called "Team Themis," tasked by the Chamber
to come up with strategies for responding to progressive bloggers and others.

"Team Themis" also included a proposal to use malware hacks against progressive
organizations, and the submission of fake documents in an effort to discredit
established groups.

HBGary was also behind a plot by Bank of America to destroy WikiLeaks' technology
platform, other emails revealed. The company was humiliated by members of
"Anonymous" after CEO Aaron Barr bragged that he'd "infiltrated" the group.

A request for comment emailed to HBGary did not receive a reply.

Update: HBGary Federal among bidders

A list of interested vendors responding to the Air Force contract for "persona
management software" included HBGary subsideary HBGary Federal, further analysis
of a government website has revealed.

Other companies that offered their services included Global Business Solutions and
Associates LLC, Uk Plus Logistics, Ltd., NevinTelecom, Bunker Communications and
Planmatrix LLC.