White House Officials Tricked By Email Prankster (cnn.com)

Jake Tapper, reporting for CNN: A self-described "email prankster" in the UK fooled a number of White House officials into thinking he was other officials, including an episode where he convinced the White House official tasked with cyber security that he was Jared Kushner and received that official's private email address unsolicited. "Tom, we are arranging a bit of a soiree towards the end of August," the fake Jared Kushner on an Outlook account wrote to the official White House email account of Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert. "It would be great if you could make it, I promise food of at least comparible (sic) quality to that which we ate in Iraq. Should be a great evening." Bossert wrote back: "Thanks, Jared. With a promise like that, I can't refuse. Also, if you ever need it, my personal email is" (redacted). Bossert did not respond to CNN's request for comment; the email prankster said he was surprised Bossert responded given his expertise. The emails were shared with CNN by the email prankster. White House officials acknowledged the incidents and said they were taking the matter seriously. "We take all cyber related issues very seriously and are looking into these incidents further," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told CNN.

Comments

So what?

[Train0987]

Let me get this straight. John Podesta gets fooled by a phishing attempt and suddenly the Russian government colluded with Trump to steal the election that Clinton was promised, but when someone in the Trump admin gets fooled by an email it's just a harmless prankster.

Re:So what?

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm not sure what your point is. I'd say that, yes, a foreign power breaking into a campaign's email files is something that is and should be illegal.

This should be illegal, too, but, I agree with the story, it does seem more like a prank, and not a foreign power attempting to change U.S. election results. There is a difference.

Re:So what?

[Maritz]

The reason you can't see the difference is either (a) you're extremely biased or (b) you're a bit slow. Both is perfectly possible also (likely, in fact).

Re:So what?

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm impressed. It is very rare for such a short post to contain so many failures in basic reasoning:

1. This was some idiot prankster, not the UK government. Thus, not a foreign power.

2. Publicizing achievements is not inherently political. Some people just really attention. Most people, in fact.

3. Who cares if the administration is embarassed?

4. Phishing is not illegal under federal law, which is applicable to DC.

5. Ignoring a cyber security breach by a high-ranking member of DHS is stupid. It is his job to do better -- literally.

Re:He's gonna end up in some camp.

[Anonymous Coward]

I like rules of thumb. You just touched on one of my favorites:

"Never challenge a small-minded man in a position of power."

Shock

[American AC in Paris]

You elect amateur hour, you're gonna get amateur hour.