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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Newsweek: foreign political intelligence operation hacked both candidates' computer systems |
| 2008-11-05 |
| In case anyone's forgotten that the world's not a nice place . . . The computer systems of both the Obama and McCain campaigns were victims of a sophisticated cyberattack by an unknown "foreign entity," prompting a federal investigation, NEWSWEEK reports today. At the Obama headquarters in midsummer, technology experts detected what they initially thought was a computer virus—a case of "phishing," a form of hacking often employed to steal passwords or credit-card numbers. But by the next day, both the FBI and the Secret Service came to the campaign with an ominous warning: "You have a problem way bigger than what you understand," an agent told Obama's team. "You have been compromised, and a serious amount of files have been loaded off your system." The following day, Obama campaign chief David Plouffe heard from White House chief of staff Josh Bolten, to the same effect: "You have a real problem ... and you have to deal with it." The Feds told Obama's aides in late August that the McCain campaign's computer system had been similarly compromised. A top McCain official confirmed to NEWSWEEK that the campaign's computer system had been hacked and that the FBI had become involved. Officials at the FBI and the White House told the Obama campaign that they believed a foreign entity or organization sought to gather information on the evolution of both camps' policy positions—information that might be useful in negotiations with a future administration. The Feds assured the Obama team that it had not been hacked by its political opponents. (Obama technical experts later speculated that the hackers were Russian or Chinese.) A security firm retained by the Obama campaign took steps to secure its computer system and end the intrusion. White House and FBI officials had no comment earlier this week. |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #9 What's the worry, when your own supporters think nothing of hacking into private accounts? Those outside think just the same way as those on the inside, its all rationalized as being for the |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-11-05 21:38 |
| #8 Should be treated as just short of an act of war. Perhaps the countries responsible should be delinked from the internet name servers for a couple of days in response. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2008-11-05 20:37 |
| #7 They need leverage in case the new pres gets cold feet. |
| Posted by: Hellfish 2008-11-05 20:16 |
| #6 But if it was the Russians or Chinese, did they need to hack? All they had to do was ask. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2008-11-05 19:23 |
| #5 (Obama technical experts later speculated that the hackers were Russian or Chinese.) While I am neither technical nor an expert that was my initial speculation as well. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2008-11-05 19:22 |
| #4 ...both the FBI and the Secret Service came to the campaign with an ominous warning: "You have a problem way bigger than what you understand," an agent told Obama's team. "You have been compromised, and a serious amount of files have been loaded off your system. My name is Barrister David Obligo. I came in here with a total sum of $4,500,000.00 with all the money I've gotten from my Dad's business and sales of some properties. Because the African guy told me of an idea to investment in oil firms here. When I got here, he made all possible means to get the money from me and get away with my money. Then when I noticed this, I took the money and my traveling boxes and deposited it with a Security/Insurance Company here in Africa in order to safe myself and my assets. I told them that the two boxes are my traveling luggage, which I want to send forth to U.S.A or your country because IÂ’m returning home, then I paid them up their custody and security fee, but I did not tell them that the boxes contain money in order to make everything secure and safe.__Thereafter I left the guy's apartment to a hotel where I am in right now and from which I am communicating with you now. Now, I'm in need of your help, have gotten the enough money to run myself when I get to the States or your country. I have your files. I will return your files if you deposit a small amount in my account so I can return home... |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2008-11-05 17:08 |
| #3 ...both the FBI and the Secret Service came to the campaign with an ominous warning: "You have a problem way bigger than what you understand," an agent told Obama's team. "You have been compromised, and a serious amount of files have been loaded off your system. My name is Barrister David Obligo. I came in here with a total sum of $4,500,000.00 with all the money I've gotten from my Dad's business and sales of some properties. Because the African guy told me of an idea to investment in oil firms here. When I got here, he made all possible means to get the money from me and get away with my money. Then when I noticed this, I took the money and my traveling boxes and deposited it with a Security/Insurance Company here in Africa in order to safe myself and my assets. I told them that the two boxes are my traveling luggage, which I want to send forth to U.S.A or your country because IÂ’m returning home, then I paid them up their custody and security fee, but I did not tell them that the boxes contain money in order to make everything secure and safe.__Thereafter I left the guy's apartment to a hotel where I am in right now and from which I am communicating with you now. Now, I'm in need of your help, have gotten the enough money to run myself when I get to the States or your country. I have your files. I will return your files if you deposit a small amount in my account so I can return home... |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2008-11-05 16:34 |
| #2 information that might be useful in negotiations with a future administration "Negotiations" or..... B L A C K M A I L ! |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-11-05 13:49 |
| #1 Geez, I thought the world loved Barry. I'm sooooo disappointed... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-11-05 13:16 |