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Video Shows Easy Hacking of E-Voting Machines

Mike writes "The Security Group at the University of California in Santa Barbara has released the video that shows the attacks carried out against the Sequoia voting system. The video shows an attack where a virus-like software spreads across the voting system. The coolest part of the video is the one that shows how the 'brainwashed' voting terminals can use different techniques to change the votes even when a paper audit trail is used. Pretty scary stuff. The video is absolute proof that these types of attacks are indeed feasible and not just a conspiracy theory. Also, the part that shows how the 'tamperproof' seals can be completely bypassed in seconds is very funny (and quite disturbing at the same time)."

4 of 254 comments (clear)

  1. Early vote makes your vote count (better chance) by InsaneProcessor · · Score: 5, Interesting

    That is why I always early vote. It is on paper where I vote and that stands a better chance of getting counted correctly.

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  2. Theatre by adpsimpson · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The interesting thing here is that I would expect one of two things. Either physical security should be taken seriously, in which case a 'tamperproof' seal should be just that (not hard to design) or an assumption be made (not unreasonably) that physical attack against the machines is unlikely and easily preventable.

    A supposedly tamper-proof seal which can be circumvented shows either a cynical disregard for physical safety (ie "we know it's a threat, so we'll put in a seal to make people think we've taken it seriously") or another TSA-style "theatre" solution (ie "we don't think it's a threat, but we'll let people believe that it is, and that we've done something about it").

    Both of these interpretations are disturbing. However Hanlon's Razor ("Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity") may of course apply.

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  3. Re:paper trail fails? by LWATCDR · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Take a look at the problems in Palm Beach county again. They lost over 3000 votes.

    I swear that they do this just to get attention. Oh and before anybody makes any remarks about Florida or the south let me clue you.
    Very few people in Palm Beach county are from Florida or the south. It is New York south.
    It looks like this is going to a close election. Which means that the looser will without a doubt claim that they didn't and that somebody lost votes or rigged a machine.
    At this point I hope that it isn't close no matter who wins. Well since I am not fond of any of the candidates at this time.

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  4. Re:Early vote makes your vote count (better chance by Le+Marteau · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I work as an "Election Judge" every election (they used to call them "Poll Workers". Each year the county hires hundreds of average people, gives them a couple hours of training, and they are the ones who set up the machines, check for ID's, handle the list of registered voters, etc.

    Me, I'm a "Machine Judge." I get to the polling area in the morning of the election, the machines are already there, unassemblede. I check the seals, and set up the machines, activate the machines for the voters during the day, get the results out of it at night, take the results to a central location.

    Low paying? Not where I live. I get $250.00 for the couple hours training and working on election day at one precinct, which is not bad.

    It's well looking into. Take a paid vacation day, get $250 over that, and be the one who protects the democratic process (at least at the precinct you are at).

    They need geeks who are computer literate. You should see some of the geezers try to set up those voting machines. It's sad.

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