In a disturbing report, an analysis by the Associated Press had found that the majority of jurisdictions across the U.S. use old software that is more vulnerable to hackers. Most local jurisdictions use Windows 7 software or older to perform everything from printing ballots to tallying votes. Worse yet, next January, Windows 7 will cease to provide technical support and patches to make the systems less vulnerable to hackers:
Securing our electoral systems and making it easier for registered voters to vote (make Federal election day a holiday, early voting mandate, etc.) has to be a top priority, despite resistance from the Trump regime and cynical companies like Microsoft. H.R.-1, passed by the Dems in March, moves in that direction, but it will take removing the Rethugs from office to get change.
"The AP surveyed all 50 states, the District of Columbia and territories, and found multiple battleground states affected by the end of Windows 7 support, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Arizona and North Carolina. Also affected are Michigan, which recently acquired a new system, and Georgia, which will announce its new system soon." (our emphasis)Election officials are very concerned about the security weaknesses": which Microsoft indicated to the AP will be addressed "for a fee" through 2023:
"The use of election systems that still run on Windows 7 'is of concern, and it should be of concern,' said U.S. Election Assistance Commission Chair Christy McCormick. EAC develops election system guidelines.Microsoft indicated to the AP that security upgrades will be handled "for a fee" through 2023 (what patriotism!). Many jurisdictions are hard-pressed to come up with basic logistics for voting, and now Microsoft is holding their Windows 7 software customers -- and voters -- hostage "for a fee."
McCormick noted that while election systems aren’t supposed to be connected to the internet, various stages of the election process require transfers of information, which could be points of vulnerability for attackers. She said some election administrators are working to address the problem." (our emphasis)
Securing our electoral systems and making it easier for registered voters to vote (make Federal election day a holiday, early voting mandate, etc.) has to be a top priority, despite resistance from the Trump regime and cynical companies like Microsoft. H.R.-1, passed by the Dems in March, moves in that direction, but it will take removing the Rethugs from office to get change.
2 comments:
next January, Windows 7 will cease to provide technical support and patches to make the systems less vulnerable to hackers
I'm a bit skeptical that Microsoft will actually do this. Windows 7 remains the world's most popular operating system (my own computer runs on it). Microsoft has been trying to pressure users to switch to their newer system, Windows 10, but most people resist doing so since it's common knowledge that Windows 10 is (a) a crap system and (b) essentially spyware. When January comes and the majority of Microsoft's customer base is still using Windows 7, I suspect they'll "find reasons" to extend support.
Infidel -- It makes sense that they would, given the system's wide popularity. Let's hope the electoral systems that rely on Windows 7 get the needed security patches and technical support, gratis if possible.
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