Researchers Assembled over 100 Voting Machines. Hackers Broke Into Every Single One.

[deminks]

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/09/defcon-2019-hacking-village/


A report issued Thursday by some of the country’s leading election security experts found that voting machines used in dozens of state remain vulnerable to hacks and manipulations, warning that that without continued efforts to increase funding, upgrade technology, and adopt of voter-marked paper ballot systems, “we fear that the 2020 presidential elections will realize the worst fears only hinted at during the 2016 elections: insecure, attacked, and ultimately distrusted.”

(snip)

The report urges election officials to use machines relying on voter-marked paper ballots and pair those with “statistically rigorous post-election audits” to verify the outcome of elections reflects the will of voters. The authors also warn that supply chain issues “continue to pose significant security risks,” including cases where machines include hardware components of foreign origin, or where election administrators deploy foreign-based software, cloud, or other remote services. The report lands as officials in several states are working to upgrade election equipment, and as lawmakers in Washington, D.C. debate federal election security legislation and funding.

Ultimately, the report notes flaws that have been acknowledged for years.

“As disturbing as this outcome is, we note that it is at this point an unsurprising result,” the authors conclude. “However, it is notable—and especially disappointing—that many of the specific vulnerabilities reported over a decade earlier…are still present in these systems today.”

(end snip)

[CrispyQ]

1. Where are the Hackers for Democracy?

Just kidding. Sort of.

[rainin]

7. Hackers, if you're listening.

I'm just kidding, too. Sort of.

[renate]

2. I would have to guess that most hackers are libertarian or liberal, not conservative or Trumpian

I wonder why the GOP is so unconcerned about vote tampering and interference with voter registration records. Russia isn't the only player who can and will interfere with elections.

[shawn703]

8. Hacktivists can have any political view

But in my opinion it’s the state sponsored hackers that pose the biggest threat. They would want the result that would do the most damage to us as a country.

[jpak]

3. Trump repugs and Putin love them some hackable voting machines

Yup

[Brawndo]

4. Paper ballots are the only way to restore legitimacy to our elections

Having to wait a bit longer to find out the results is more than worth it and probably the only way to restore our faith in the outcomes.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

9. paper can be verified by the voter and the public

Nobody can verify electrons.

[diva77]

10. important to state that the paper ballots are "hand-marked" cuz the sleazy vendors and

corporations and elections officials are pushing the BMDs (ballot marking devices) which are a more expensive form of touchscreen machines that print out nonverifiable barcoded gibberish which they are claiming is a "paper ballot."

[nykym]

5. Electronic Voting Machines will always

be a question in my mind as long as the companies that make them keep using the term proprietary software.

[Wellstone ruled]

6. How about a High School Kid with a I-Phone.

Not a single reporter posted a story from the Hackers Convention here in Vegas a couple months ago. That seemed damn strange.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. Next D Pres plus both chambers: Electoral reform needs to be top priority.

Eliminate gerrymandering by putting it into independent commissions.

National standards to block voter suppression.

Replace voting machines with printed ballots optically scanned and held for widespread careful audits.

Junk the Electoral College. It's a failed anachronism.

[pansypoo53219]

12. you cannot hack a #2 & paper. and CHEAP!

[aeromanKC]

14. Bring back paper!!