So through social engineering, not technical skills. Also - why would you want to do something like this?
Interesting move, you've created an account just to make this post which mentions sock-pupets as an important point.It does sound familiar. 
At least we all have one thing to counter this type of attack, our brains. When I hear someone talking about what he did or what she said instead of the issue I assume this is not about the truth. It is an attempt to persuade me based on my feelings about his/her actions. That does not work on me. I base my financial decisions on mathematics rather than emotion. I kinda think this is true of all serious people and that FUD only works on the weak and fearful.
What I'm only uncertain of currently is, who's exactly behind the campaign.At least we all have one thing to counter this type of attack, our brains. When I hear someone talking about what he did or what she said instead of the issue I assume this is not about the truth. It is an attempt to persuade me based on my feelings about his/her actions. That does not work on me. I base my financial decisions on mathematics rather than emotion. I kinda think this is true of all serious people and that FUD only works on the weak and fearful.
Divide and conquer!It's always the same dirty game.
EDIT: this should definitely be a sticky thread
Divide et impera, indeed. This is definitely an article that should be read by everyone in the ecosystem.EDIT: this should definitely be a sticky thread
Anyone who has participated in such campaigns or has educated themselves
in the history and cases of PSYOps and BlackOps knows this is very likely.
I'm looking into spreading my knowledge in these areas (especially concerning open source projects). However, I've recognized behavioral patterns and changes of such in certain members, ergo realizing the campaign in progress a few months ago. Here's a good video: How Open Source Projects Survive Poisonous People. in the history and cases of PSYOps and BlackOps knows this is very likely.