Pennsylvania Pulls Plug On Voter Site After Personal Data Leak
Pennsylvania was forced to pull the plug on a voter registration Web site after it was found to be leaking private information about voters in the state. The security breach occurred with the presidential primary for that state a mere month away. The shut down resulted from an improperly designed online voter registration form that was initially intended to simplify the process of registering to vote. Potential voters were allowed to input their information onto the Web site, after which they would have a printable receipt that they could mail to state election officials. Unfortunately, a design error allowed anyone to view the forms online. The forms contained personal information such as name, address, political party affiliation and driver's license number.
After learning about the security holes, Pennsylvania's Department of State immediately shut down the Web site.
Department of State spokeswoman Leslie Amoros assured the public with the following e-mail statement:
"The Department is reviewing the facts to determine how this information became available." she said. "We are also taking all necessary steps to correct the situation and are implementing processes aimed to prevent future occurrences."
This situation has done little to boost confidence in the security of online registration, with many already choosing not to relinquish personal information of any kind for precisely this reason.
From InfoWorld
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
elle said 6:42AM on 3-22-2008
too many stupid people on the computer...only a fool will give information via email....come on Amarica, WAKE UP. Go...line up and fkn vote...
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Alex said 6:35AM on 3-22-2008
Paris Hilton NAKED again:
http://www.hotvideoz.org/videos.php?v=Paris_Hilton
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vickitot said 8:17AM on 3-22-2008
USE COMMON SENSE ! ! !
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Mike said 9:18AM on 3-22-2008
We're Here from the government and we're here to help ya!!!!
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Lzy said 9:57AM on 3-22-2008
You're right about there being too many stupid people on computers.
This wasn't done by e-mail. It was a web-site. Kind of like my local BMV (driving license branch) website where I can renew my drivers license, except they've used some security measures to keep my info safe. (supposedly, hopefully)
These people were trying to register to vote. So what's your point Elle...
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Bobby said 10:00AM on 3-22-2008
I refuse to do any transactions on the internet. How secure is "secure"? Millions of peoples' personal info compiled on one database & when it's breached you get an apology maybe. You're left in ruins to decipher it all. Not for me, I like the personal touch & always will. Screw the 21st impersonal century.
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Mary said 7:10AM on 3-23-2008
Who looked into this was it political? I do not trust the Obama campaign after the picture of Clinton and the minister, they weren't even looking at each other give me a break. He also had a person on his staff and still is that called Hillary a monster. He didn't take the minister off his staff untill he was busted and had not choice. Distrust him very much
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FoakingAah said 1:09PM on 3-30-2008
osama err obama ....yah thats it ....lol Allah Ya Americans Beware You Can Take The the OBAMA-terrorist train by only two means;1) Be Moslim terrorist 2)decesed/captive infadel The KORAN TELLS ALL ASK OSAMA ERR OBAMA Are All Americans Now Just Willing Too Be Lambs for Slaughteror enslaved by moslim fanatics
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David said 10:17AM on 3-22-2008
I couldn't care less what the Government knows about me. I am no threat to anyone. I am a Christian (Baptist). I work. I pay taxes. I mind my own business.
What's the big deal? If Big Brother is watching ME, he ought to get a life!
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lk said 10:31AM on 3-22-2008
This is exactly why Voting on line will never work....... I know id never trust the results
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cyberma777 said 10:52AM on 3-22-2008
There is nothing confidential about your voting information. It is bought and sold by anyone who wants it. Where do you think the junk mail and phone calls around election time come from? If you are going to try to instill fear in people, try another angle - there are plenty of them.
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Sensible said 12:21PM on 3-22-2008
ok, why does religion have to brought into f&#^ing everything. who cares if you work, and area christian. Hell, i work 50+ hours a week, go to school full time, and dont believe in such fairy tales. hell, i believe in tinkerbell, does that make me any better, no, so who cares about your religious preferences. Im sick of it
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MikeC888 said 12:28PM on 3-22-2008
Not only will the county sell a list of primary voters divided by party, I remember flying with an old boy one time who claimed to work for the U.S. Postal Service as a "Junk Mail" salesman.
He said he actually goes out and negotiates big junk mail contracts with large companies so they can keep your mail boxes loaded with -Crap.
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Karl said 1:14PM on 3-22-2008
How much did they pay for someone to come up with this system? $50,000 maybe $100,000? I bet they won't fire them, but give them the opportunity to screw something else up. Remember the head of FEMA after Katrina?
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carol said 1:34PM on 3-22-2008
what makes it important is if it will stop people from deciding to register?
And to the person who is a christian, works, pays taxes etc. "
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me."
This is why Big Brother must be conatined and out information secure.
(In Iraq, Iran, The taliban and the goverbnment came after the Sunnis, then they came after the women who tried to work, then they came after those who did not pray right, then they came after the christians.........
Pastor Martin Niemöller
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carolc said 6:14PM on 3-22-2008
Ever hear of Lexus Nexus? Really scary how much information is available on this program. It is supposed to be available only to police and banks but hackers get into systems all the time.
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