Ntrepid
Encyclopedia
Ntrepid is an American software, hardware
, and cyber security
company, registered in Los Angeles and based in San Diego.
newspaper reported that Ntrepid had won a $2.76 million contract for "online persona management" (commonly known as "sockpuppetry
") operations from the U.S. military
. The contract is for the creation of "fake online personas to influence net conversations and spread US propaganda." The technology would not be used in the U.S, or on sites owned by U.S. corporations such as Facebook and Twitter. Rather, it would be used exclusively outside the U.S. on sites owned by non-U.S. corporations, in order to counter violent extremist and enemy propaganda.
Ntrepid will supply software, named "MetalGear", that will enable one operator to create and control multiple personas from one computer, "without fear of being discovered by sophisticated adversaries". The software sought would allow up to 50 users to each have 10 personas. Each persona would have a background, history, supporting details, and cyber presence that is consistent from a technical, cultural, and geographic standpoint. The user would be able to use his different online personas from the same PC, and make them appear to be coming from almost anywhere in the world, without his true location being determined even by a sophisticated enemy. The service envisioned would also communicate to the user real-time local information, so that he could appear to be socially aware as he would be if he were located in the relevant geographic location.
The project is overseen by U.S. Central Command
(Centcom), whose spokesman Commander Bill Speaks stated that the operation would be carried out in languages other than English, particularly Arabic
, Farsi
, and Urdu
. He stated that, "The technology supports classified blogging activities on foreign-language websites to enable Centcom to counter violent extremist and enemy propaganda outside the U.S."
The project will probably be based at MacDill Air Force Base
in Florida
, and will be within the remit of Operation Earnest Voice.
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
, and cyber security
Computer security
Computer security is a branch of computer technology known as information security as applied to computers and networks. The objective of computer security includes protection of information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the information and property to...
company, registered in Los Angeles and based in San Diego.
Operation Earnest Voice
In March 2011 The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
newspaper reported that Ntrepid had won a $2.76 million contract for "online persona management" (commonly known as "sockpuppetry
Sockpuppet (Internet)
A sockpuppet is an online identity used for purposes of deception. The term—a reference to the manipulation of a simple hand puppet made from a sock—originally referred to a false identity assumed by a member of an internet community who spoke to, or about himself while pretending to be another...
") operations from the U.S. military
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
. The contract is for the creation of "fake online personas to influence net conversations and spread US propaganda." The technology would not be used in the U.S, or on sites owned by U.S. corporations such as Facebook and Twitter. Rather, it would be used exclusively outside the U.S. on sites owned by non-U.S. corporations, in order to counter violent extremist and enemy propaganda.
Ntrepid will supply software, named "MetalGear", that will enable one operator to create and control multiple personas from one computer, "without fear of being discovered by sophisticated adversaries". The software sought would allow up to 50 users to each have 10 personas. Each persona would have a background, history, supporting details, and cyber presence that is consistent from a technical, cultural, and geographic standpoint. The user would be able to use his different online personas from the same PC, and make them appear to be coming from almost anywhere in the world, without his true location being determined even by a sophisticated enemy. The service envisioned would also communicate to the user real-time local information, so that he could appear to be socially aware as he would be if he were located in the relevant geographic location.
The project is overseen by U.S. Central Command
United States Central Command
The United States Central Command is a theater-level Unified Combatant Command unit of the U.S. armed forces, established in 1983 under the operational control of the U.S. Secretary of Defense...
(Centcom), whose spokesman Commander Bill Speaks stated that the operation would be carried out in languages other than English, particularly Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, Farsi
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
, and Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
. He stated that, "The technology supports classified blogging activities on foreign-language websites to enable Centcom to counter violent extremist and enemy propaganda outside the U.S."
The project will probably be based at MacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base is an active United States Air Force base located approximately south-southwest of downtown Tampa, Florida...
in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and will be within the remit of Operation Earnest Voice.