Rooz Online, a website run by Iranian exiles, reports that state TV network has boosted its cyber division. Using hackers, the latter plans to infiltrate popular internet sites to spread false news and plant fake videos.

Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Iran’s state-run Radio and Television network (IRIB) has boosted the Logistic Branch of its Cyber Division, Rooz online, a website run by Iranian exiles, reports. The Cyber Division was launched about nine months ago, tasked with disrupting media through the production and distribution of false news and fake video clips.

This Division is housed in a five-storey building with 20 units, including cyber networks, an administrative branch and a number of news media and services. It operates with a budget of about US$ 100 million.

The Division has three internet networks called Ma (We), Shoma (You) and Paydari (Resistance) actively filtering out Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and engaging Balatarin site users in superficial discussions (Balatarin is a community site like Facebook but with an emphasis on Iranian audiences).

Whilst providing various services to 12,000 cleric students who maintain close ties with this division, the Paydari network is busy creating a new space with fictitious names and photos of fabricated women, boys and girls in Facebook. Until now, it has created over 25,000 fake accounts on Facebook, and is backing up personal information and images from other users for subsequent manipulation.

The Ma and Shoma networks upload targeted video clips and images on YouTube with the purpose of cleansing the video sharing website.

Working under the powerful security blanket of the country’s telecommunication authority, Iran’s cyber army plans to attack internet sites and destroy those that oppose the Islamic regime.

A group of hackers is said to be working with the Division’s technical office. One of its tasks is to hack and destroy sites belonging to regime opponents.

• iran
• cyberwarfare
• islamic
• regime