Its not a big leap to wonder if the "foreign entity as hacker" is not a ruse that the Republicans used to front a desperate grab for tactical info. Of course they would hack both campaigns as a diversion.
Obama, McCain campaigns' computers hacked for policy data(CNN) -- Computers at the headquarters of the Barack Obama and John McCain campaigns were hacked during the campaign by a foreign entity looking for future policy information, a source with knowledge of the incidents confirms to CNN.
The source said the computers were hacked mid-summer by either a foreign government or organization.
Another source, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation, says federal investigators approached both campaigns with information the U.S. government had about the hacking, and the campaigns then hired private companies to mitigate the problem.
U.S. authorities, according to one of the sources, believe they know who the foreign entity responsible for the hacking is, but refused to identify it in any way, including what country.
The source, confirming the attacks that were first reported by Newsweek, said the sophisticated intrusions appeared aimed at gaining information about the evolution of policy positions in order to gain leverage in future dealings with whomever was elected.
The FBI is investigating, one of the sources confirmed to CNN. The FBI and Secret Service refused comment on the incidents.
The sources refused to speak on the record due to the ongoing investigation and also because it is a sensitive matter involving presidential politics.
As described by a Newsweek reporter with special access while working on a post-campaign special, workers in Obama's headquarters first detected what they thought was a computer virus that was trying to obtain users' personal information.
The next day, agents from the FBI and Secret Service came to the office and said, "You have a problem way bigger than what you understand ... you have been compromised, and a serious amount of files have been loaded off your system."
One of the sources told CNN the hacking into the McCain campaign computers occurred around the same time as the breach into those of Obama's campaign.
Representatives of the campaigns could not be reached for comment on the matter.
Yes you are too paranoid....the Republicans don't actually do everything fishy in this country....
I love your paranoia. It is not a fear in isolation. It is just based on what we all have seen.
One says yes, one says no. I feel like a not hungry mule between two equally appealing haystacks.
"U.S. authorities, according to one of the sources, believe they know who the foreign entity responsible for the hacking is, but refused to identify it in any way, including what country."
The only country that we would hush-hush is Israel. I wonder if they hacked his computers and blackmailed him to pick Israeli staffers such Rahm who is an Israeli.
This is definitely Israel, no other country or group would have any benefit to do this, one of the previous posts tells the story, Rahm is an Israeli firster who left the US in 1991 to join the Israeli military instead of the US, he is an Israeli citizen and Obama was probably forced into selecting him for the position by the likes of AIPAC.
Didn't know he served in Israel Army. I just googled that and you are correct, he served in the Israel Army instead of US Army. And surprise surprise MSM is not going to bring this up, everyone is talking about how tough he is and how smart etc...anytime you hear unsubstantiated positive attribution to a key person by MSM know something is up.
I believe this is China. They are known for doing this exact thing. Israel doesn't make anywhere near as much sense as China. Israel knows the U.S. has its back no matter who is Prez because otherwise is political suicide.
I vote for China. They are buying up half the country as we speak. Getting a behind the scenes look at the future prez fits their sneaky deceitful policies. Forget Iran... if you want to worry about a foreign country, keep BOTH eyes on China.
Interesting thoughts...I'll comment more when I've thought them through.
If it was china they would have released that. Anyone talks about Israel spying at FBI loses their job or ends their careers. Israel does the largest amount of spying in US. After clinton signed the bill (forget the name now) FBI gave the entire eavesdropping control to Israeli company. So all the monitoring system has a back door to Israel as well as 90% of all phone records are processed in Israel. It's scary stuff. And since it happens overseas US laws have no jurisdiction there and as a result they can do what they want with impunity.
I Think the Foreign Entity was probably Russian or Chinese based, considering those two counteries are the only two "Enemies" of america with serious, modern, well funded cyber warfare capability.
Sounds more like something out of china, they basically fund hackers trying to constantly steal military data from us and we do nothing.
I was one of the responders to Titan Rain in 2004. There are numerous states with highly organized and talented computer espionage teams, the longest in tooth belonging to the United States.
While speculating about the specific origination of the compromise would be above my pay grade, it's far more likely to have been a state sponsored effort than rogue McCain supporters.
1) There isn't a large contingent of the computer underground aligned with American conservative thought
2) Adding additional targets to the queue would be relatively easy for a state sponsored program. Minimal resources would be required to go after technology infrastructure/applications as haphazardly deployed as a political campaign's would likely be.
"The next day, agents from the FBI and Secret Service came to the office and said, "You have a problem way bigger than what you understand ... you have been compromised, and a serious amount of files have been loaded off your system.""
How could the FBI and secret service have known that Obama was hacked?
@Steve
very good question. More reason to point the finger to Israel.
If this was China or Russia it would have made the news. The only reason for the hush-hush, is because it's Israel.
Remember the chinese guy accused of taking the hard drive home. Remember how much daily coverage it got. At the same time when FBI busted an AIPAC agent taking secrets from pentagon it was rarely covered.
Any devious act that quickly gets hush-hushed in the media or by FBI can be linked to Israel.
How could the FBI and secret service have known that Obama was hacked?
Majorly important question.