A common tactic that many trolls resort to is the strategy of using multiple usernames or pseudonyms that are ready to use just in case a debate or argument emerges. By using multiple usernames (called "sock puppets" in this context) and a variety of artificial personalities the troll would have the ability to protect his or her image in a community. A troll would then also be able to increase his or her influence in an entire online community by simply using those other self serving nicks to increase the attention towards his or her most favored account. However, many users with more than one computer such as hardware buffs (Colloquial), computer repair shops and thrift stores often give each computer a unique name and use that name as the e-mail or newsgroup account username to identify the computer being used versus the user. Contrary to the purpose of deception this practice is followed with the intent of creating a verification record for the computer that was repaired or tested rather than to promote malice, ill will or evil intent. Sometimes the email reply address or other changeable header line is used for this purpose rather than the username line.
Online game communities that take tournament statistics and player rankings seriously are especially vulnerable to this type of trolling behavior. This is mainly due to the fact that since players take their rankings seriously, that some would resort to solidifying their reputations by creating self made threads designed to praise his or her favored account. Threads such as "most favorite players", "name your top ten players", etc. are suspected to be highly manipulated self-made threads designed to increase the influence and reputation of a specific username.
The phrase Internet Troll is considered by many to be a pseudo-term created by those who post their opinions at an Internet blog site, and then receive responding posts from others who disagree with them. The original blogger and their like thinking fellow bloggers at the particular site feel they have exclusive rights to express one opinion only, and that those who oppose them are being mischievous. Thus, the pejorative “troll” is assigned to them. Such sites are predominantly highly politically partisan, frequently accessed by those who have extreme views, and cannot tolerate interference with their dogma. Thus, they attack those with differing views and urge others posting at the site who also disagree, not to engage them in dialogue or debate. But, yet again, such attacks are a logical fallacy.
