Internet Security Issues

Elections and Voting Summit Joseph Kiniry: Technical Tradeoffs

By Luther Weeks on April 24, 2015

Last January I attended the annual Elections and Voting Summit. I was most interested in a presentation by Joseph Kiniry on Technical Trade0ffs. It is a relatively brief presentation, with some important thoughts: Online voting convenience vs. risks, transparent systems vs. proprietary rights etc.

Posted in Electronic Vulnerability, Internet Security Issues, Internet Voting | Leave a response

New South Wales wails: Researchers find flaws in Internet voting system

By Luther Weeks on March 27, 2015

New South Wales, Australia is holding an election with a significant number of online votes. Researchers point out several concerns…

Posted in Electronic Vulnerability, Internet Security Issues, Internet Voting | Leave a response

WNPR Where We Live: Inside Cyber Security

By Luther Weeks on January 14, 2015

Yesterday, Where We Live, with John Dankowski, was a discussion of Cyber Security for consumers and business.

At about 17:49 into the show, I called in and reminded John Dankoski of the Secretary of the State’s Symposium on Online voting that he moderated just over three years ago. In response to my comment, Professor Bryan Ford of Yale, gave a very thorough summary of the potential risks of Internet voting.

Posted in CT Law, Internet Security Issues, Internet Voting | Leave a response

General Assembly ready to protect everything Internet. Except voting?

By Luther Weeks on December 22, 2014

Meanwhile Congress, in-spite of gridlock, takes the time to appeal old law calling for Internet voting experiments. Isn’t it time for the General Assembly to follow suit?

Posted in Internet Security Issues, Internet Voting, Legislature 2015 | Leave a response

Will it take a Pearl Harbor or 9/11 for Internet security (and voting integrity)?

By Luther Weeks on December 3, 2014

To err is human, to react without thinking is to compound the err

The goal should be to solve a problem of huge risk, without requiring a catastrophe, without attacking others, spending what is necessary and moving on.

Let us also not forget the twin risks of doing nothing and doing too much of the wrong thing, apply as Connecticut tackles our voting system which may have had a wake up call this November, but nothing like Pearl Harbor or 9/11.

Posted in Internet Security Issues, Legislature 2015, National | Leave a response

Cyber Risk to Power – Is not just electricity and gas

By Luther Weeks on July 27, 2014

Utility Regulator Arthur House writes on cyber risks and precautions for utilities in a Hartford Courant Op-ed. We point out the similar risks to Internet voting. While Utah takes a more studied approach to expanding their Internet voting.

Posted in CT, Internet Security Issues | Leave a response

Carter Center: Study of Norway’s Internet Voting

By Luther Weeks on July 22, 2014

A recent post, brought the Carter Center’s report to our attention. Today we highlight Scott M. Fulton’s thoughtful post based on the report.

I look at a chart like this and see a gold mine of potential exploits–handoffs, air-gaps,… How long before such a system is cracked once, someplace in the world?

Posted in Internet Security Issues, Internet Voting, Reports | Leave a response

Crumbling infrastructure – its not just highways and bridges anymore

By Luther Weeks on July 17, 2014

The big news in Connecticut these days is Congress’s patched-up highway bill to continue patching-up our highways, while Connecticut has the the worst highway conditions in the nation.

But we are also just as dependent on electricity and the Internet. A Washington Post editorial highlights the risks, while Ed Snowden through Glenn Greenwald confirms the reality.

Posted in Electronic Vulnerability, Internet Security Issues, National | Leave a response

Ethical Hackers 2, Internet Voting 0

By Luther Weeks on May 14, 2014

Two days ago an international team of investigators demonstrated attacks and articulated weaknesses in the Estonian voting system used by 20% to 25% of voters in their national elections.

Posted in Internet Security Issues, Internet Voting, National | Leave a response

CyberDissonence? State concern of Biblical Proportions

By Luther Weeks on April 15, 2014

In Connecticut, apparently: Electricity is Critical! .., when it comes to elections, the message is “What Us Worry?”

You could say the State’s concern with Electoral attack is of Biblical proportions, i.e. criticizing utilities while not noticing the XP in our own systems.

Posted in Internet Security Issues, Legislature 2014 | Leave a response