OpAphid

OpAphid is a YouTube based (for now) ARG in which OpAphid (Operation Aphid) is recruiting “the worthy” for a future conflict.

Origin

OpAphid first appeared with the video You Made the Right Choice, Bree! in response to Bree’s My Difficult Decision video. OpAphid has since posted comments and videos to Bree, Cassie (Cassieiswatching) and Daniel. These are generally warnings, some nicer than others, that insinuate that OpAphid is connected to Bree’s religion and that Cassie and Daniel should watch their step.

OpAphid’s Modus Operandi

OpAphid’s videos are layered to say the least. There is the surface message of the written and spoken text, the deep meaning of the text and then the text and audio that takes homework (ex. Backwards audio and hieroglyphs).
In addition to the custom logo, at the end of each video there is a false ending which appears as if the video has ended and gone to the related video links but then returns to the real video again before ending.
OpAphid uses video tags that often match Bree's or Cassie's.

Gamejacking

OpAphid has taken credit for gamejacking Cassie's voice mailbox. Evidence in the video, Cassie Does Not R.I.P. (Rest In Peace) proves she had the passcode, and complete control of the mailbox.

Puzzles

Given that OpAphid puzzles are slightly more difficult than Cassie’s, individual puzzles are being spun off of the page.

Set of Five
Drop 1 (bowling for light)
The Test (USA Today)
Drop 2 (where IS she going?)

Letters in Aphid

Corresponding videos:
A PAIN HID = A IN APHID (on "Cassie Does Not R.I.P.")
HID IN APP = P IN APHID (on "You Made the Right Choice, Bree!")
HAD IN HIP = H IN APHID (on "Do go to god, cassie") AND ("Disclosure: Cassie")
HIP IN AID = I IN APHID (PREVIOUSLY on "Disclosure: Cassie") Now on none
PAID HIND = D IN APHID (on "Add Poe Hinder Vilification")

A in APHID

Clue:
"The first step toward any solution? The A in APHID, of course"
Solution:
Analysis
Profile verifying solution:
The first step toward any solution? ANALYSIS. Analyze the data in front of you.

P in APHID

Clue:
Only those who have found instruction within the message will be prepared to prove their worth. While history is full of subtle clues toward greater secrets, some messages are meant to be taken literally--regardless of any deeper connections we might suspect.
Above all others, the P in APHID is our greatest purpose. Its importance is essential to understand before any further progress can be made.
In that regard, sometimes additional enlightenment can be found hidden amongst information we previously considered a part of our history...
Solution:
Protect
Profile verifying solution:
To PROTECT is our greatest purpose, above all others. The importance of PROTECTION is essential to understand before any further progress can be made.

H in APHID

Solution:
Hinder

Full Solution Thus Far:

A = Analysis
P = Protect
H = Hinder
I = ?
D = ?

Operation Aphid: The YouTube Group

When viewing OpAphid's profile we can see they are a member of:

Group Name: ipod opera - a hint?
Description: mimic unto nonchalance
Tags: ihit dan poor ape
Created: September 27, 2006

Name anagrams to: OPERATION APHID
Description anagrams to: COMMUNICATION CHANNEL
Tags anagram to: OPERATION APHID

Known members (10 total):

OpAphid
warpylol
OperationAphid
rustybug found by shifty
saint696 found by Xrynaem
jimmyjm found by Ziola
Jamesdoof found by gtrichar
Avasta
lolm3n
iheartthevoices

OperationAphid is also a member of:
operationaphid
aphid

All three groups were created the same day but the last two have no other members.

All groups are invite only

All group members have the same green layout and have their names in brackets.

Controversy

Not everyone is a fan of OpAphid's Puppet Masters.

For certain spans of time, correct solutions to puzzles are withheld from the general populous. The character asks that we stay quiet and since they are a character that we must stay in the good graces of, we comply...within reason. This leaves a bad taste in the mouths of many, both new players who don't understand why people aren't giving out the answers and veterans who aren't used to a PM who locks down their game to quite this level.