Political And Other Hacks

IBD Editorials ^ | November 12, 2008

[Kaslin]

Security: Computer systems of the McCain and Obama camps as well as the White House were hacked into during the campaign by Chinese computer hackers. Cyber-warfare is one area that should not be cut.

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When a hacker got into the private e-mail accounts of GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, it was a demonstration of both the mischief and danger involved in using computers in the age of the Internet.

During the campaign, Newsweek has reported, both the Obama and McCain campaigns were also hacked into. Now a senior White House official has told the Financial Times that White House computers were also penetrated on multiple occasions, with e-mails — as in Palin's case — once again the target.

The Secret Service warned both campaigns that their networks had been compromised, with hackers successfully downloading large quantities of data in an attempt to learn more about the policy positions of each candidate, such as their positions on defending Taiwan.

"There is no doubt that foreign governments are actively targeting cyberspace not only for sensitive information but to influence our most sensitive processes such as the U.S. presidential election," said Sami Saydjan, head of the Cyber Defense Agency, a private company that advises governments on hacking.

"This underscores the need for President-elect Obama to take leadership in the cyberspace war that is well underway."

[.44 Special]

Obama? Lead? In A War?

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