![\"tehran_internet_cafe_rt__641x444\"](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/01\/tehran_internet_cafe_rt__641x444.jpg\" "\\"tehran_internet_cafe_rt__641x444\\"")
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NCRI Staff<\/p>\n
NCRI –\u00a0The Iranian Regime is one of many countries engaging in cyber warfare, using internet trolls and disinformation to manipulate public opinion. Iran\u2019s army of trolls are less well-funded and less effective than those of other countries, like Russia, but their influence is steadily increasing.<\/p>\n
The Iranian cyber army can largely be split into three categories:<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 Internet-patriots: They use virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass Iran\u2019s internet blocks in order to spread the Regime\u2019s agenda and attack critics. Supposedly, they are not paid, but it is likely that the Regime is providing another benefit or threatening them if they do not do so.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 Government-backed trolls: They receive instruction from the Regime about what to say and who to say it to. They also get paid. They have created two broad types of fake websites: one is created to spy on the Regime\u2019s enemies and steal information, while the other exists solely to spread the fake news in English as well as the languages of neighbouring countries (Arab, Turkish, Azerbaijani etc.). They are also responsible for the creation of fake online personas that are used for espionage by either getting someone to open a virus on a work computer (for those in the security or energy fields) or to reveal information (in the case of a dissident).<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 Elite Trolls: These trolls are highly educated and around 80% of them speak English. They are used for attacks on specific individuals (Iranian dissidents, human rights activists, foreign leaders). They are occasionally called as an expert on Iran through the Western media in order to push the Regime\u2019s view and will write lengthy tomes which read well but are filled with lies.<\/p>\n