House and Senate Democratic leaders must have got alarmed about the security of e-voting machines, as computer Scientists from California University were able to hack into three electronic voting systems used in California and elsewhere in nation.
Team of computer experts, acting on the request of state had hacked into systems from three most famous companies in the business: Diebold Election Systems, Hart InterCivic and Sequoia Voting Systems.
After the investigation, they found every system hack able in one or another way to affect the correct recording, reporting and tallying of votes. Hackers were able to gain physical access to the system, manipulate several; components networked to sever, loading wireless drivers onto the server used to access a wireless device plugged surreptitiously into the back of server and many more other ways.
Although in many cases it might be difficult to alter the results, however possibility of that cannot be denied.
Matthew A. Bishop, a professor of University of California, who led the team, said in the report, that it was surprising that how easily hackers broke not only the physical locks, but also the software defenses meant to block intruders. The addition of security measures after the basic system had been designed appeared to be the biggest problem with computerized touch screen machines, optical scanning systems and broader election-management software.
However, Industry executive criticized the report calling it unrealistic as it was not conducted in the realistic environment and no machine was known to be hacked in any election. He further added that report contains several inconsistencies, alternate conclusions and errors.
Whatever be the level of insecurities detected, what is the point in using these voting machines as pivotal and main source in voting, said Senate and Democratic leaders and proposed a shift to paper ballots and other backup records to increase confidence.
However, election supervisors are waiting for Secretary Bowen’s decision by Friday. Her decision will decide whether to ban these e-voting machines, which can pose problems for the upcoming Presidential elections in February.
Image Credit: MAIL
Via: TECHDIRT
