Argonne researchers 'hack' Diebold e-voting system

[Ron]

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9220356/Argonne_researchers_hack_Diebold_e_voting_system_

In the latest experiment, the Argonne researchers showed how a Diebold Accuvote TS touch screen voting machine can be compromised by inserting a man-in-the middle electronic component to intercept the vote cast by a voter and change it before it is recorded by the system.

[Sergeant Bob]

I thought Jim March and Black Box Votingâ„¢ exposed the flaws in the Diebold system years ago?

[Ben]

Plus there are also now reports of touch screen machines selecting Obama when the user selects Romney. I'm sorta not surprised (ansd wouldn't be surprised to see some doing the opposite). Not sure touch screens are a good technology to use for voting. At least if many ATMS I've used are any indication, where I appear to select "A" but the machine decides I selected "B" and I have to cancel and start over again.

[longeyes]

Don't worry, the GOP will accept defeat graciously.  They are good at that.

[RaspberrySurprise]

Plus there are also now reports of touch screen machines selecting Obama when the user selects Romney. I'm sorta not surprised (ansd wouldn't be surprised to see some doing the opposite). Not sure touch screens are a good technology to use for voting. At least if many ATMS I've used are any indication, where I appear to select "A" but the machine decides I selected "B" and I have to cancel and start over again.

Most touch screens require calibration on a regular or semi regular basis to be accurate.

[lupinus]

Most touch screens require calibration on a regular or semi regular basis to be accurate.

Exactly, and how many times a day are they likely to be used on election day in a busy area?

If they were going to insist on electronic, a screen with actual buttons would have been a much better way to go.

[zahc]

I strongly disagree with any electronic voting. There is simply no need and no justification. Voting should be done with ink on paper. Electronic voting simply introduces too many attack vectors for too little benefit.

And if there are electronic voting machines, why do they have to have touchscreens? Because "OOoo shiny"? ATM machines usually have buttons down the sides. Standard arcade-machine buttons can be pounded mercilessly for decades and still work absolutely reliably...no calibration required. I guess the ATM companies consider theirs an important application, not like voting machines.

[vaskidmark]

.... Voting should be done with ink on paper. ....

But what about Chad?  Why do you hate him?

And why did so many Floridians leave him hanging?

stay safe.

[Perd Hapley]

Hey, skid. The last millennium called. It wants its joke back.

[RoadKingLarry]

And if they just gotta have electronic voting machines, which I also think are a dumb idea, they do not need to be connected to the interwebz. votes tallied to redundant encrypted memory modules of some type. Voting gets done, one module goes to the central vote counting location, the other goes to secure storage someplace else.

[Waitone]

I too dislike electronic voting for a host of reasons.  If, Big IF, we have electronic voting then at least provide a receipt detailing your vote.  That way "errors" can be challenged on the spot.

[kgbsquirrel]

I too dislike electronic voting for a host of reasons.  If, Big IF, we have electronic voting then at least provide a receipt detailing your vote.  That way "errors" can be challenged on the spot.

Couple that with a running stenograph-like printout for a hard record. Small viewing slot so you can see your vote on that hard copy before leaving the booth.

[Monkeyleg]

Obama made the whole Benghazi attack disappear. You think he can't get some votes erased from a hard drive?

[Marnoot]

Couple that with a running stenograph-like printout for a hard record. Small viewing slot so you can see your vote on that hard copy before leaving the booth.

Machines they use here have that. It shows your votes on a receipt-like piece of paper you view through a plastic window, which then winds up out of sight when you take your card out.

I've heard some valid arguments against the receipt you take when you leave. Voter intimidation, vote buying, etc. "Go vote for X, Y, and Z, and prove it with your receipt, or else!"

[Waitone]

SC machines have no such provisions (at least where I vote).  We just get to trust the data security of the state of SC . . . . . . the state that was the victim of an epic hack.

[lupinus]

On non encrypted data, that should have been.

Twice.

And didn't notice.

[Hawkmoon]

I thought Jim March and Black Box Votingâ„¢ exposed the flaws in the Diebold system years ago?

He/they did.