Fake vote totals created with secret two digit code on Diebold

[gasperc]

I'm quite certain many of you here on DU are well aware of Bev Harris's hard work and this lawsuit in CA. But what a bunch of shitheads(Diebold), that it only takes a two digit secret code to cause the voting machines to spit out fake vote totals!!!!

Great work Bev!!!!!

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-machines8sep08,1,384118.story

<snip>
The system's key vulnerability is that county election workers or others with access to the machines could type in a two-digit code and create a second set of results that would then be forwarded to the state as the county's official tally, said Bev Harris, one of the activists who filed the case. She said the Diebold vote-tabulating equipment at the center of the lawsuit is used in 19 California counties, including Los Angeles County.
<snip>

[da_chimperor]

1. Why would they even have that feature?

This proves that diebold is crooked. Outrageous. :mad:

[cthrumatrix]

2. this is why the TV press is in scramble mode, Bev has dotted the i's

and croossed the t's...they are screwed when they tamper with the election...too many people know

[slackmaster]

3. That's a very good question

Software developers sometimes include secret "Easter eggs" or "back doors" in their code. Usually they are harmless pranks or a way to prove that you wrote a piece of software when your boss or the company has declined to include your name in the credits. I've actually done that myself. :evilgrin:

Another reason for a back door is to provide a quick way to get a program to spit out a predictable set of results for troubleshooting during the systems integration phase of development.

Perhaps a disgruntled employee put that mechanism in place to embarrass the company.

Or maybe it's really a plot to subvert the election process.

[gasperc]

4. good points, but a two digit code?

was the joke supposed to be that the whole election system is a joke and I'll use a simple two digit code to create fake vote totals??

[slackmaster]

10. Be very afraid of Diebold

They have their fingers in many industries including retail banking. They make ATMs and currency-counting machines used by thousands of banks.

http://www.diebold.com/industries/default.htm

[da_chimperor]

5. Plausible deniability

Diebold company line: 'Oh, well, that feature is just meant for troubleshooting! We'd never think that anyone would use it to tamper with the results . . . '

[wurzel]

6. "We "never dreamed any one would use airplanes as bombs" either.

[slackmaster]

9. Plausible only if Diebold had a major failure of management

That's much too big of a hole to have gotten through a compentent code review.

I have seem software companies and departments do some pretty lame things.

[da_chimperor]

12. So it's either gross incompetence

or a poorly hidden attempt at vote fraud. I vote fraud. They'd probably blame it all on a VP of something, give him the boot, then continue on their merry way.

[slackmaster]

14. Yes, it's very important that the incident gets investigated

By someone outside of the company, and before Diebold has a chance to cover its tracks.

[da_chimperor]

16. We should get an official DU legal team for the election

It can be comprised of people in the legal profession, law students, and any supreme court judges who secretly visit DU. They can have their own private forum to discuss issues like this and individual legal action that can be taken. My legal knowledge is rather limited, and so I don't know if individuals could take action against Diebold for this outrage. What does everyone think? :)

[maine_raptor]

15. Hey slackmaster

Could be something else too.

(retired Ol'Coder here)

It could be a method for dumping registers if the Master Menu or whatever the Human Interface on those machines is locks up.

Does code specifically spit out different totals, or is it in a different format with the same totals?

[slackmaster]

17. Yes, it could be a trigger for a dump

That would make it possible to recover information in case the UI locks up.

Good point.

[Flubadubya]

7. How would anyone even know if they used the code?

They can't even recount the votes, much less tell if the system has been tampered with. I'm afraid it's a win-win for Diebold... and unfortunately for the Powers of Darkness (i.e. Bush cabal). Be afraid, be very afraid.

[Onlooker]

8. What's the code?

If a code like that really exists, someone should post it on the web or tell people how to figure it out. (Besides, how long would it really take to "break into" a safe with a 2-digit code!) That type of info could make a news story.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

11. Seems like you could present this information to a judge

and have the machines impounded and declared fraudulent. But a lawyer would know better.....

[Clinton Crusader]

13. Anyone have the entire article?

The link requires registration with full address, thanks
:kick: