A sock, or sock puppet, is a second (or third, or fourth, or some really sickening number) account that is used to shore up the original account's karma, or to post "Me too!" types of agreement with whatever stupid thing the user posted on his/her original account.
We tend to hold them in contempt, although some posters use them in pretty funny ways. Occasionally.
And yes, rough treatment.
____________________________
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.