Do Voters Deserve Same Protections As Small Businesses, Schools, and Non-Profits?

The American Bankers Association has issued guidelines that small businesses should use separate computers for banking transactions to avoid viruses that can steal funds.

The American Bankers Association has issued guidelines that small businesses should use separate computers for banking transactions to avoid viruses that can steal funds.

UPI: Businesses warned about online banking <read>

The FBI and the American Bankers Association have issued a warning to small business owners to use a separate computer for online banking.

Small businesses, as well as churches, non-profit organizations and local government agencies and school districts, are prime targets for cyber theft, USA Today reports. The criminals depend on “banking Trojans,” malicious software spread through the Internet that allows them to steal funds by manipulating electronic transfers.

It seems the risks are real, money has been lost.  In our view similar risks exist for internet voting, military, overseas, or otherwise.  As we have and others have said previously, officials need to prove the viability of internet voting before anyone uses it. <The MOVE Act and references>

We also can’t help but wonder about home banking as well.  What exempts us all from this risk?

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2 thoughts on “Do Voters Deserve Same Protections As Small Businesses, Schools, and Non-Profits?”

  1. “As we have and others have said previously, officials need to prove the viability of internet voting before anyone uses it.”

    Luther:

    The “proof” is there, guy, all you need to do is shed your rigid prejudice and see it.

    As an example of your myopia: You forgot to mention the Panda Security survey in the article that shows how many banks/businesses lack sufficient security software. This is the vulnerable group, taking losses.

    You also forgot to mention the side bar suggesting “an alternative to dedicating a single-use PC” – including “Keep your antivirus and anti-spyware subscriptions current.”

    Internet voting can be conducted with as much security, privacy, and accuracy as any e-commerce or e-banking transaction done today, provided it is done with current security technology.

    Check out my essay, “Internet Voting: The Great Security Scare” Free reading or download at
    http://ssrn.com/author=1053589

    William J. Kelleher, Ph.D.
    InternetVoting@gmail.com

  2. William,

    You are entitled to your opinions and conclusions, which are not shared by the vast majority of computer scientists and computer security experts.

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