Slashdot Mirror


Diebold Voting Systems Grossly Insecure

Several well-known security researchers have examined the code for Diebold's voting machines (which we last mentioned two weeks ago) and produced an extensive report (pdf). The NYT has a story on the report, which cuts to the bone: 'Our analysis shows that this voting system is far below even the most minimal security standards applicable in other contexts. We highlight several issues including unauthorized privilege escalation, incorrect use of cryptography, vulnerabilities to network threats, and poor software development processes. For example, common voters, without any insider privileges, can cast unlimited votes without being detected by any mechanisms within the voting terminal.'

6 of 534 comments (clear)

  1. Well what did you expect??? by advocate_one · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    they run on Microsoft operating Systems...

    --
    Donald 'Duck' Dunn: We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.
  2. Great by iocat · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Not only does my district use there, but I vote in an unpopular way for where I live (Barbara Lee usually gets elected to speak for me, sadly enough). I guess I have to trust to the stupidity of the ballot workers to ensure that I am not disenfranchised in the future.

    That said, hopefully publicizing the faults will lead to some upgrades to the security of the system.

    --

    Dude, I think I can see my house from here.

  3. I'm sure GW by asv108 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Will encourage all States to do a trial run of these machines for the 2004 election.

  4. Re:*sigh* by Suidae · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Do you mean to say that you think that all of the flaws were mistakes?

    I fully expect that some of them were intended as 'features' that would only be available to a select few.

    If the devices aren't fully open, don't trust them.
    If the devices are fully open, don't trust them.

  5. Re:Here's an article by kmac06 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Oh come on.

    If you really think there's a possibility that a company making voting machines puts in a systematic change in votes, you better go put that tinfoil hat back on. Hackers, maybe. Poll workers, maybe. But the manufacturer? Just because a website claims it is so doesn't make it true.

  6. Re:Don't you realize that ... by Dun+Malg · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Anyone who pays takes should have representation

    And anyone who can't spell "taxes" shouldn't vote.

    --
    If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.