FBI Arrests Two Suspects Involved With Hacking Of CIA Director's Personal Email Account

FBI Director: Our Electronic Voting System Is Such A Complete Mess, It Would Be Difficult To Hack

from the well,-then dept

Tue, Sep 13th 2016 10:44am — Mike Masnick

There's been plenty of talking going around this election cycle about the terrible security problems with our current voting technology -- along with some conspiracy-theory level talk of foreign agents looking to "hack" the election. We haven't been very impressed with officials telling us all to calm down and it's difficult to see how FBI director James Comey did himself any favors by basically arguing that the voting system is secure... mainly because of what a complete and utter mess it is. The larger point he's making is somewhat valid, if clunky, in the fact that each state runs their own voting, so it's not like hackers can get into one central system and wreak havoc. The different systems definitely make it harder. But arguing that this is a sign of good security seems kind of ridiculous:

“The beauty of the American voting system is that it is dispersed among the 50 states, and it is clunky as heck,’’ said Mr. Comey. “A lot of people have found that challenging over the years, but the beauty of that is it’s not exactly a swift part of the internet of things, and so it is hard for an actor to reach our voting process.’’

Yeah, that's basically security through obscurity... at scale. Not exactly very reassuring, even if the underlying point may be true.

Wouldn't it be better if we just made sure the systems were actually secure (i.e., not computerized and connected to the internet) rather than just "clunky"?

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: e-voting, elections, fbi, hacking, james comey

42 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

The First Word

“

Oh Onion, You got me again.

—johnjac

”

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Anonymous Coward, 13 Sep 2016 @ 10:52am

By the same logic, it will be almost impossible to detect subtle hacks that tip swing elections in a desired direction, and carried out by an insider.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 13 Sep 2016 @ 1:37pm
  
  Re:
  Those are likely the words he was trying to skirt around. His argument hinges on the election not being close enough for a few states with election-fraud to change the presidency...
  
  What a clunky mess of an argument. While no foreign country is likely to have enough ressources and enough interests in USA to sway an election, 4 parties might...
  
  Neither the democratic nor republican primaries were shining examples of fair and democratic elections...
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- ECA (profile), 13 Sep 2016 @ 9:54pm
  
  Re:
  let me make a BIG STATEMENT here..
  
  How many states VERIFY addresses?
  HOW many states verify and match Birth and death records??
  How many states verify Property ownership?? and WHERE they live?
  
  What would it take to OWN property, in many states, and be allowed to VOTE?? because the STATE dont realize you live in ANOTHER state??
  
  Easy trick? YEP.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 14 Sep 2016 @ 6:44am
    
    Re: Re:
    How many research papers have you read, written on the topic of fraud in our election system?
    
    Nice try but you will need to produce some evidence, not just insinuations.
    
    Stating that "We're just asking the questions" does not cut the mustard.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
I.T. Guy, 13 Sep 2016 @ 10:57am

“The beauty of the American voting system is that it is dispersed among the 50 states, and it is clunky as heck,"

Out of the 50 states exactly how many different systems are used? There are a few vendors... 4 to be more precise... that have the majority of the voting system sales.

How many states do you need to sway an election? So you only need to know exploits on 2 systems to make a big impact no?

Look away folks nothing to see here.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
johnjac (profile), 13 Sep 2016 @ 11:05am

Oh Onion, You got me again.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Ninja (profile), 13 Sep 2016 @ 12:03pm
  
  Re:
  When art meets reality. I'm beginning to think the Onion is some sort of 'prophetic' outfit. And here I was, treating their stuff as if they were all jokes...
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 13 Sep 2016 @ 5:30pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Give it 400-500 years and it will be seen as a new Nostradamus.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 14 Sep 2016 @ 11:55am
    
    Re: Re:
    TheOnion tends to be 3-4 years ahead of reality.
    
    But they've been right, over and over.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 13 Sep 2016 @ 11:45am

It is true that it is harder to hack 50 different systems than it is to hack 1, all else being equal. Takes more time to learn how to compromise each one. But the extra overhead in needing to compromise 49 additional systems isn't a substantial enough barrier for a potential nation state adversary.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
streetlight (profile), 13 Sep 2016 @ 12:00pm

The system doesn't need to be hacked
For electronic voting machines or central tabulating computers having a USB port the system doesn't need to be hacked. It can be destroyed with that $50 USB thumb drive that destroys the machine. Maybe it really is a hack if a concerted effort is made by a nefarious group to vote late in the day at selected precincts where voting histories are known. At least in my county in Colorado we vote using mail in paper ballots or paper ballots at precincts. They can be counted by hand if the readers break down.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 13 Sep 2016 @ 12:23pm

The upside?
Comey seems almost happy that our system is such a clusterfuck. But then again he is always happy with something he could hack, if knew how. And there is the problem, he doesn't know shit about anything digital, just repeats catch phrases he heard somewhere.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- madasahatter (profile), 13 Sep 2016 @ 2:45pm
  
  Re: The upside?
  Some village is missing their idiot. The dimmest PHB is a higher function idiot than Comey.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Uriel-238 (profile), 13 Sep 2016 @ 12:29pm

Is Comey in on it?
As Anonymous Coward notes, yeah, multiple systems may slow down a single hacker or even a small organization, but not a large one the size of (say) the DNC or the Russian espionage sector.

This sounds like Comey is in on the vote tampering that is scheduled.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
hij (profile), 13 Sep 2016 @ 1:06pm

It only takes one
Perhaps the Director is trying to be coy and use security via obscurity. Unfortunately, the folks who might want to play games probably understand how the US electoral system works, primarily because it is described IN EVERY GRADE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES BOOK. Given how close US elections have been it only takes one state to mess up a national election, and it only takes one state to make a mess of local elections for federal office since we are so evenly divided.

I am basing this analysis on an assumption that the Director knows how the US electoral system (including the Electoral College) works. That may be a stretch.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- LAquaker, 13 Sep 2016 @ 7:59pm
  
  Re: It only takes one
  An 'evenly divided' vote is the first CONSTRUCT to gaming the electorate with impunity
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 13 Sep 2016 @ 1:44pm

"A lot of people have found that challenging over the years..."
Spoken like someone who has first hand experience hacking the American election system.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
any moose cow word, 13 Sep 2016 @ 2:03pm

Most states are effectively guarantied to one of the parties. Any potential hackers won't need to target every state in a close race, not even half. They only need to "sway" the swing states.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
ECA (profile), 13 Sep 2016 @ 2:36pm

yes it is..
1. I dont want to hack it, I want to fix it..
2. WHO in hell would want to hack it, EXCEPT those in this country?? we make MORE of a mess with this, then THEY EVER COULD..
3. this is as bad as saying "The illegal MEXICANS want to vote"..WHY?? they just come here WORK, MAKE MONEY, and get a free ride back home.. AND what about the REST of south America??

Lets see...Make a BASIC programmed system to take votes, NO USB, or anything else that can HACK the system..then VERIFY the programming before counting it..
have at LEAST 3 parties acknowledge this protocol...and AWAY WE GO..
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Sep 2016 @ 6:49am
  
  Re: yes it is..
  Not SURE why capital letters are BEING used HERE, but it is a BIT annoying to read.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 13 Sep 2016 @ 3:30pm

Wow, I am revealed. It's a good thing we don't use a system where a single state, or a small number of states could be the deciding factor for a presidential election.

I am sorry.... electoral what?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- ECA (profile), 13 Sep 2016 @ 9:47pm
  
  Re:
  Takes less then 13 states to win...even by population..
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Personanongrata, 13 Sep 2016 @ 3:46pm

Paper Ballots Please
If voting in national elections in the US actually meant something other than granting your consent to be governed by the duopoly (War Party) then paper ballots would be the preferred method of casting votes.

The convenience of electronic voting should not take precedent above the ability to audit the vote via a physical/tangible paper ballot trail.

Paper ballots may not be pretty but they once served this nation very well for 200 years.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- any moose cow word, 13 Sep 2016 @ 4:10pm
  
  Re: Paper Ballots Please
  Horses and wagons, as well as quill pens, candles and many other handmade goods may not be pretty but they once served this nation very well for 200 years. The convenience of cars and electricity should not take precedent above the ability to audit where our power and goods comes from!
  
  Sorry, but luddism isn't a good argument. Our laws and means of governance should be open to some degree of change, even for the sake of modern convenience. Nonetheless, it should always be transparent and accountable to the people. In the context of voting machines, they should make the source code open for public review or at the very least available for independent security audits and testing.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Personanongrata, 13 Sep 2016 @ 4:57pm
    
    Re: Re: Paper Ballots Please
    any moose cow word, Sep 13th, 2016 @ 4:10pm
    
    Horses and wagons, as well as quill pens, candles and many other handmade goods may not be pretty but they once served this nation very well for 200 years. The convenience of cars and electricity should not take precedent above the ability to audit where our power and goods comes from!
    
    Sorry, but luddism isn't a good argument. Our laws and means of governance should be open to some degree of change, even for the sake of modern convenience. Nonetheless, it should always be transparent and accountable to the people. In the context of voting machines, they should make the source code open for public review or at the very least available for independent security audits and testing.
    
    Please what a dissembling pile of horse cocky if I've ever smelt one. PU.
    
    Suggesting the use of paper ballots verses electronic voting machines is not Luddism.
    
    It is common sense.
    
    Paper ballots serve a very important function electronic voting machines do not and that is having an auditable election with the paper ballots being physically available for a recount.
    
    The various technologies allowing for the operation of trains, planes and automobiles are at a minimum 100 years old for winged flight and almost 200 years for railways.
    
    Just because something is old does not render it obsolete.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - any moose cow word, 13 Sep 2016 @ 10:41pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Paper Ballots Please
      The voting machines we have around hear keep a paper record too, which you can be verified by both the voter before submitting the ballot and by the state for manually recount, if someone wished to do so.
      
      But hey, why let facts ruin your silly rant?
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 14 Sep 2016 @ 6:53am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Paper Ballots Please
        "The voting machines we have around hear keep a paper record too"
        
        Good for you Biff. Mean while, back at the ranch, they have no paper trail and politicians like it that way.
        
        But hey ... why let a few facts get in the way of your - whatever you call that.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - any moose cow word, 13 Sep 2016 @ 10:48pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Paper Ballots Please
      The various technologies allowing for the operation of trains, planes and automobiles are at a minimum 100 years old for winged flight and almost 200 years for railways.
      
      This might come as a shock, but in the 21st century planes are no longer made of wood, we don't use metal cranks to start our cars in the morning, and trains don't burn coal. ALL of them have advanced a great deal in 100+ years, and continue to do so.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 14 Sep 2016 @ 6:57am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Paper Ballots Please
        "in the 21st century planes are no longer made of wood"
        
        Some are, you really need to get out more.
        
        "trains don't burn coal"
        
        Some do, are you really this sheltered?
        
        I see you think being advanced means throwing caution to the wind, but not everyone shares your enthusiasm for wanton recklessness.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 13 Sep 2016 @ 5:23pm
  
  Re: Paper Ballots Please
  Don't you get a print of you votes or something like that?
  I remember reading an article of someone observing the process of comparing paper to computer votes. And when those didn't match they just added or removed the obviously wrong paper votes.
  
  And as for the convenience part: There is no difference for voters. We have paper votes only here and you go in to voting center, give your ID, get a paper, go into a booth, make an X or two, fold it, and put it in a sealed box. Takes 1-2 min max.
  
  Counting might take a bit longer but first results are usually up 2-3 hours after the centers close.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 13 Sep 2016 @ 3:59pm

It doesn't take 50 states.
A few precincts will probably do. But Comey is smart enough to know that what he is saying is bullshit. My take on most of what this guy says, is that it's expectation management.

He must have received his post election assignments and is trying to get ahead of a big workload. Like maybe the Cessna 208s they plan on dispatching to likely riot areas use more fuel than he budgeted for, and so he is trying to calm the herd a little to save operational costs?

Probably cheaper to just buy more billy clubs. But that doesn't have quite the same optics as micro targeting the "trouble makers" with close air support.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
David (profile), 13 Sep 2016 @ 5:10pm

So, the FBI is secure because ...
Comey is complete and utter idiot.

A man in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation feels it is duty to convince everyone else to make his job easier because he doesn't really get security. An agency that entraps citizens because it cannot find terrorists, what better way to spend time than convincing Americans to act against the country so they can arrest them, thus proving that they are protecting America.

Yeah, right.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Ruby, 13 Sep 2016 @ 5:26pm

(i.e., not computerized and connected to the internet)

......Again, I can't speak for all states, but I know that Ohio's voting machines are NEVER connected to the internet and I'm pretty sure that's standard.

Each machine just runs pre-programmed software and saves the results to memory card (which appears to be a proprietary design). The memory card is located in a port that has a lock (which is different for each machine; no master key) and affixed with a barcoded tamper seal.

The machines have no usb ports at all.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Sep 2016 @ 7:01am
  
  Re:
  Have those voting machines ever been subjected to an audit?
  How about a design/code review?
  
  How does the vetting of Bank ATMs compare to that of voting machines?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
John Mayor, 13 Sep 2016 @ 8:14pm

NATIONAL ELECTIONS STANDARDS
Yes Mike, I agree!... but, what's most damnable about what James Comey is offering up, is that it fails to even acknowledge the U.S. Constitutional requirement for EQUAL PROTECTIONS AND EQUAL BENEFITS BEFORE AND UNDER THE LAW!
.
In other words, having each state run a national voting process in such a fragmented fashion... AND WITHOUT A NATIONALLY MANDATED SET OF VOTING STANDARDS!... inevitably leads to a rejection of HARMONIZED PROTECTIONS AND BENEFITS FOR ALL U.S. CITIZENS! Some citizens will receive more protections and benefits in some elements of the process, and others will receive less! AND SO!... THIS SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED IN AMERICA!... AND!... SHOULD FORM THE BASIS OF A FUTURE U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL BATTLE!
.
Politicians acting like spoiled brats at a birthday party, is not a solution to an important issue, such as voting_in those who will lead the country!
.
Please!... no emails!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Lets play Oger!, 13 Sep 2016 @ 8:38pm

So un tracable not unhackable
so chaotic no one can tell if its been hacked or not, which is exactly how is supposed to be, it's a feature not a bug
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Whatever, 13 Sep 2016 @ 10:42pm

Give me a C! O! M-E-Y!
I'm totally cray-cray for Comey!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Sep 2016 @ 8:08am
  
  Re: Give me a C! O! M-E-Y!
  ...Funnily enough, as much as this is an obvious spoof, I can actually see the real Whatever having a fanboy moment like this.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
rebrad (profile), 14 Sep 2016 @ 6:27am

No Credibility
How can I trust a man who couldn't find any reason to recommend charges against a politician that committed far worse crimes than those who are currently rotting in jail? I'm sure someone will employ this man in the future but not for his credibility or honesty. One might even ask why no charges have been against him for obstruction of justice.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Pronounce (profile), 14 Sep 2016 @ 2:46pm

FBI Doesn't Want Them Fixed
If companies were to fix the security issues it would remove the backdoors the government has demanded be installed on all the voting systems.

Gag orders work wonders.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Sep 2016 @ 5:59pm

FBI Director: it's such a mess that we can't give Clinton a clear victory.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 15 Sep 2016 @ 4:10am

Thats ok fbi, its only the system used to elect your "cammander in chief", who'll then go on to have access to the most violent capable gang in the world
[ link to this | view in chronology ]