NYT! When did speculation become news? Where is the story about Guccifer 2.0 actually being in the Eastern time zone, and the Russification happening on Joe Biden's word processor?
14
Let us not forget that the U.S. has interfered with other nations for many decades. Not that that makes it right for the likes of Russia, China, or North Korea to do the same. But it's been going on for along time and is likely a permanent fixture.
What has happened is; 1) the tacit agreement of electoral non-interference among superpowers has been broken, 2) the internet facilitates inexpensive, instantaneous, global stories of varying veracity, and 3) while news sources were always on a spectrum of truthiness and bias, that spectrum has broadened to include weaponization by sovereigns.
The above are unlikely to change. What can change is for consumers to improve their critical thinking skills -- migrate to more credible sources, accept all sources contain biases (sorry NYT, you too), don't believe the most immediate reports and explanations for what happened as most events have multiple parameters that are revealed over time. Many events are not simply right/left, republican/democratic, white/nonwhite, good/evil. Keep in mind news is about the exceptional, people care little for the routine and mundane. Consequently the news vendors' inclination is to "magnify, simplify and amplify". Social media filters and first amendment exceptions have their own problems and arguably will cause societal damage. Brave new world.
What has happened is; 1) the tacit agreement of electoral non-interference among superpowers has been broken, 2) the internet facilitates inexpensive, instantaneous, global stories of varying veracity, and 3) while news sources were always on a spectrum of truthiness and bias, that spectrum has broadened to include weaponization by sovereigns.
The above are unlikely to change. What can change is for consumers to improve their critical thinking skills -- migrate to more credible sources, accept all sources contain biases (sorry NYT, you too), don't believe the most immediate reports and explanations for what happened as most events have multiple parameters that are revealed over time. Many events are not simply right/left, republican/democratic, white/nonwhite, good/evil. Keep in mind news is about the exceptional, people care little for the routine and mundane. Consequently the news vendors' inclination is to "magnify, simplify and amplify". Social media filters and first amendment exceptions have their own problems and arguably will cause societal damage. Brave new world.
16
Me. Smith son, re. your statement "ridiculous search for nonexistent connections between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia", I would recommend that you peruse StephenHarper's Timeline about Russian connections to be found here: http://billmoyers.com/story/trump-russia-timeline/
What started as a list of 70 in February, has now ballooned to over 450 incidents. There's a there there.
What started as a list of 70 in February, has now ballooned to over 450 incidents. There's a there there.
19
From an English guy with no political affiliations relaxing in a hammock in southern Vietnam.
So the basis of this article is that a Ukrainian hacker sold various kinds of malware on the darknet to who knows who. And?
Where is the evidence that the DNC servers were hacked and not leaked?
On the Clinton's private servers right?
According to CrowdStrike which has refused the FBI access right?
So where is the evidence please that the servers were hacked?
It took me a while to read, but there is actually nothing in this article other than the name of a Ukrainian hacker who may or may not have anything to do with this and some well worded padding, so before explaining what a delightful article this is and commend the authors on their investigative journalism skills, please look at the article carefully because there is nothing there.
What can be proved however is that Clinton, Shaltz and the DNC are guilty of
the grossest incompetence at least and very likely collusion with parts of the Ukrainian government to interfere with the US election. (Alexandra Chalupa, Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau, and your paper's publication of Manafort's name in a secret Ukrainian ledger which was later completely retracted by the Ukrainian government, after the election, but which you have never retracted yourself)
Please reread this article carefully and establish what is actual fact and what is just the NYT's "spin"
So the basis of this article is that a Ukrainian hacker sold various kinds of malware on the darknet to who knows who. And?
Where is the evidence that the DNC servers were hacked and not leaked?
On the Clinton's private servers right?
According to CrowdStrike which has refused the FBI access right?
So where is the evidence please that the servers were hacked?
It took me a while to read, but there is actually nothing in this article other than the name of a Ukrainian hacker who may or may not have anything to do with this and some well worded padding, so before explaining what a delightful article this is and commend the authors on their investigative journalism skills, please look at the article carefully because there is nothing there.
What can be proved however is that Clinton, Shaltz and the DNC are guilty of
the grossest incompetence at least and very likely collusion with parts of the Ukrainian government to interfere with the US election. (Alexandra Chalupa, Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau, and your paper's publication of Manafort's name in a secret Ukrainian ledger which was later completely retracted by the Ukrainian government, after the election, but which you have never retracted yourself)
Please reread this article carefully and establish what is actual fact and what is just the NYT's "spin"
15
An ukrainiancomputer expert has given himself up to ukrainan authories,I ask times readers maybe this expert is facing criminal problems in the ukraine and we know the ukraine government now is very very anti russian therefore this expert to aviod prison will say what he is instucted too say.
8
The elephant in the room that these types of articles fail to point out is what was found. And that is that the New York Times, The Clinton campaign, Debbie Wasserman, and CNN cheated Bernie Sanders and totally screwed his grass roots movement.
16
Did Hillary Clinton actually win the election but for the altering of actual voting results data by hackers, after votes were cast but before they were tabulated? Can we have a manual recount of every vote cast please?
3
Everybody hacks everybody, but there is one crucial leak that is said to have pushed the Clinton campaign down the cliff: the DNC emails revealing the shenanigans by the party bosses to destroy Bernie Sanders.
The organization that received those emails and made them public - Wikileaks - has ensured that the Russian government had nothing to do with it. If this is true there is simply no basis for the belief that Russia really influenced the election. And these innumerable speculations about hacking the US election would be superfluous.
To justify the ongoing paranoia it's thus necessary to provide some evidence - or simply a plausible reason - why Julian Assange would lie on this matter. Media have been careful not to try that. Instead they have pretended that Assange's statement doesn't exist.
The organization that received those emails and made them public - Wikileaks - has ensured that the Russian government had nothing to do with it. If this is true there is simply no basis for the belief that Russia really influenced the election. And these innumerable speculations about hacking the US election would be superfluous.
To justify the ongoing paranoia it's thus necessary to provide some evidence - or simply a plausible reason - why Julian Assange would lie on this matter. Media have been careful not to try that. Instead they have pretended that Assange's statement doesn't exist.
13
On Nov. 13, 2016 I made the below comment.
Another will be added.
A NYT reader/voter comments: "Something's just not right here."
Agreed. It is statistically impossible for so many polls to be so very wrong. There is always a margin of error, but in this case those margins were always within reason.
The number of polls taken was very high. The polls were very consistent in their conclusions. I maintain that ANYTHING can be hacked and I say this from a background in information technology.
This election was hacked and it is to be hoped that somewhere some capable group or organization will take up the task of proving this to be or not to be the case.
The Freedom of Information Act should be applied to a study of the system analysis for the compilation of voting results and applied to the study and examination of the software developed for the implementation of the system itself.
Modifying numbers to meet predetermined outcomes is certainly possible. In fact just 4 or 5 important states will suffice.
Another question: Where was the system and the software developed and what specific entities where involved in this effort.
Trump decided to run for president - certainly a great surprise to the world at large - and he did so because he knew that he would win. His entire outrageous and offensive campaign, his demeaning attitude toward many groups of persons, and his blatant over-confidence and swagger was possible because he knew that he would win.
Q.E.D. Anyone.
Another will be added.
A NYT reader/voter comments: "Something's just not right here."
Agreed. It is statistically impossible for so many polls to be so very wrong. There is always a margin of error, but in this case those margins were always within reason.
The number of polls taken was very high. The polls were very consistent in their conclusions. I maintain that ANYTHING can be hacked and I say this from a background in information technology.
This election was hacked and it is to be hoped that somewhere some capable group or organization will take up the task of proving this to be or not to be the case.
The Freedom of Information Act should be applied to a study of the system analysis for the compilation of voting results and applied to the study and examination of the software developed for the implementation of the system itself.
Modifying numbers to meet predetermined outcomes is certainly possible. In fact just 4 or 5 important states will suffice.
Another question: Where was the system and the software developed and what specific entities where involved in this effort.
Trump decided to run for president - certainly a great surprise to the world at large - and he did so because he knew that he would win. His entire outrageous and offensive campaign, his demeaning attitude toward many groups of persons, and his blatant over-confidence and swagger was possible because he knew that he would win.
Q.E.D. Anyone.
3
On Nov. 12, 2016 I made the comment below.
(Another will follow.)
A NYT reader/voter comments: "Something's just not right here."
Agreed.
It is statistically impossible for so many polls to be so very wrong.
There is always a margin of error, but in this case those margins were always within reason.
The number of polls taken was very high. The polls were very consistent in their conclusions.
I maintain that ANYTHING can be hacked and I say this from a background in information technology.
This election was hacked and it is to be hoped that somewhere some capable group or organization will take up the task of proving this to be or not to be the case.
The Freedom of Information Act could be applied to the study of the system analysis for the compilation of voting results and applied to the study and examination of the software developed for the implementation of the system itself.
Modifying numbers to meet predetermined outcomes is certainly possible.
In fact just 4 or 5 important states will suffice.
Another question: Where was the system and the software developed and what specific entities where involved in this effort.
Trump decided to run for president - certainly a great surprise to the world at large - and he did so because he knew that he would win.
His entire outrageous and offensive campaign, his demeaning attitude toward many groups of persons, and his blatant over-confidence and swagger was possible because he knew that he would win.
Q.E.D. Anyone.
(Another will follow.)
A NYT reader/voter comments: "Something's just not right here."
Agreed.
It is statistically impossible for so many polls to be so very wrong.
There is always a margin of error, but in this case those margins were always within reason.
The number of polls taken was very high. The polls were very consistent in their conclusions.
I maintain that ANYTHING can be hacked and I say this from a background in information technology.
This election was hacked and it is to be hoped that somewhere some capable group or organization will take up the task of proving this to be or not to be the case.
The Freedom of Information Act could be applied to the study of the system analysis for the compilation of voting results and applied to the study and examination of the software developed for the implementation of the system itself.
Modifying numbers to meet predetermined outcomes is certainly possible.
In fact just 4 or 5 important states will suffice.
Another question: Where was the system and the software developed and what specific entities where involved in this effort.
Trump decided to run for president - certainly a great surprise to the world at large - and he did so because he knew that he would win.
His entire outrageous and offensive campaign, his demeaning attitude toward many groups of persons, and his blatant over-confidence and swagger was possible because he knew that he would win.
Q.E.D. Anyone.
8
Murder by Polonium (Litvinenko) appears among the comments to this article, an interesting conspiracy in itself. Can there be more of a red flag indicating a false flag?
There are numerous effective poisons for a murderer to use, some of them hard to detect. If that killer instead uses radioactive Polonium in slowly-acting doses, easy to trace far back in the chain of handling and naturally tied to Russia, what may the purpose be?
If Putin ordered that killing he must be eager to brag about it to the entire world. Is that trustworthy? If not, what else.........?
There are numerous effective poisons for a murderer to use, some of them hard to detect. If that killer instead uses radioactive Polonium in slowly-acting doses, easy to trace far back in the chain of handling and naturally tied to Russia, what may the purpose be?
If Putin ordered that killing he must be eager to brag about it to the entire world. Is that trustworthy? If not, what else.........?
2
On Nov. 13, 2016 in a reply I commented.
Bravo Mary.
Note "Something is fishy here."
It is statistically impossible for so many polls to be so very wrong. There is always a margin of error, but in this case those margins were always within reason.
The number of polls taken was very high. The polls were very consistent in their conclusions. I maintain that ANYTHING can be hacked and I say this from a background in information technology.
This election was hacked and it is to be hoped that somewhere some capable group or organization will prove this to be or not to be the case.
Let chips fall wherever.
The Freedom of Information Act should be applied to a study of the system analysis for the compilation of voting results and applied to the study and examination of the software developed for the implementation of the system itself.
Modifying numbers to meet predetermined outcomes is certainly possible. In fact examination of just 4 or 5 important states could well suffice.
Another question: Where was the system and the software developed and what specific entities where involved in this effort. Did it have trapdoors.
Trump decided to run for president - a great surprise to the world at large. He did so because he knew that he would win. His entire outrageous and offensive campaign, his demeaning attitude toward many groups of persons, and his blatant over-confidence and swagger was possible because he knew he would win. Rigged? He knew it for sure.
Q.E.D. Anyone.
Bravo Mary.
Note "Something is fishy here."
It is statistically impossible for so many polls to be so very wrong. There is always a margin of error, but in this case those margins were always within reason.
The number of polls taken was very high. The polls were very consistent in their conclusions. I maintain that ANYTHING can be hacked and I say this from a background in information technology.
This election was hacked and it is to be hoped that somewhere some capable group or organization will prove this to be or not to be the case.
Let chips fall wherever.
The Freedom of Information Act should be applied to a study of the system analysis for the compilation of voting results and applied to the study and examination of the software developed for the implementation of the system itself.
Modifying numbers to meet predetermined outcomes is certainly possible. In fact examination of just 4 or 5 important states could well suffice.
Another question: Where was the system and the software developed and what specific entities where involved in this effort. Did it have trapdoors.
Trump decided to run for president - a great surprise to the world at large. He did so because he knew that he would win. His entire outrageous and offensive campaign, his demeaning attitude toward many groups of persons, and his blatant over-confidence and swagger was possible because he knew he would win. Rigged? He knew it for sure.
Q.E.D. Anyone.
14
Interesting. One has to read two thirds down the page to find out that "It is not clear whether the specific malware... was used to hack the D. N. C. servers."
This at a time when an argument is widely circulating that the D. N. C. servers could not have been hacked: that the data was downloaded at such a fast rate that it must have been directly taken in situ from a DNC computer--in other terms, an inside job.
The Times does itself no credit by its attempt to confuse the wider issue of Russian-directed hacking in general, with the specific issue of the theft of DNC data, whether by online hacking or something far more prosaic. This type of attempt to blur the issues is best left to the likes of Donald Trump.
This at a time when an argument is widely circulating that the D. N. C. servers could not have been hacked: that the data was downloaded at such a fast rate that it must have been directly taken in situ from a DNC computer--in other terms, an inside job.
The Times does itself no credit by its attempt to confuse the wider issue of Russian-directed hacking in general, with the specific issue of the theft of DNC data, whether by online hacking or something far more prosaic. This type of attempt to blur the issues is best left to the likes of Donald Trump.
11
Is it possible that this story of hearsay, speculation and wishful thinking about a Ukrainian software hacker somehow being a key piece of evidence of Trump/Russia collusion has been published now to distract from a story in The Nation that strongly suggests the DNC "hack" was really an inside leak?
13
Interesting news.
But let us not forget that in its propaganda battle with Russia the Ukrainian secret services have produced quite a lot of lies. They are not the most reliable source.
But let us not forget that in its propaganda battle with Russia the Ukrainian secret services have produced quite a lot of lies. They are not the most reliable source.
11
Let the whistle blowing begin.
Breitbart would not have gotten thus far without Russian support.
Breitbart would not have gotten thus far without Russian support.
13
This article along with the endless piece " down the Breitbart Hole" prove what many thought all along...Russia is behind the election fraud and the misinformation disbursement that got him in.
The Breitbart crew needs to be reigned in, or better, arrested
The Breitbart crew needs to be reigned in, or better, arrested
17
Not much new here. US spends millions on influencing elections world-wide, and Russia does the same.
Duh . . .
But we are not as good at doing this as those "stupid Russkies."
We could revert to teaching our young some real useful skills --- instead of teaching them how to dream --- and put up some effective defense against info from dubious sources.
Teaching our young, and ourselves, a little critical thinking would also help: Fewer people would believe the lies flowing from social media, from all sides.
Duh . . .
But we are not as good at doing this as those "stupid Russkies."
We could revert to teaching our young some real useful skills --- instead of teaching them how to dream --- and put up some effective defense against info from dubious sources.
Teaching our young, and ourselves, a little critical thinking would also help: Fewer people would believe the lies flowing from social media, from all sides.
12
In general, would Trump have won without the Russians?
They are using their money hoard to pay hackers, does that make them invincible?
They are using their money hoard to pay hackers, does that make them invincible?
8
But what are they going to do to prevent the hacking of our FUTURE elections?! We know actual voting machines were hacked in 2016 (even though they say votes weren't changed), so how are they going to keep voting integrity safe?
14
Since the fall of Viktor Yanukovych - Putin's stooch - in February 2014, Ukraine has been the victim of a sustained cyber-assault unlike any the world has ever seen, undermining practically every aspect of life. Intrusions into media, finance, transportation, military, politics, energy deleted data and paralysed their functions.
It's a nefarious game that Russia is playing - perfecting its skills to camouflage itself, and using Ukraine as an ideal cyber-war launching ground for attacks against the West and the US during last year's election campaign. Trump must have been informed about the elusiveness of these attackers. The White House revealed last month that Putin 'told Trump that Russian hackers are too good to get caught' during their G20 meeting in Hamburg in July. Indeed, the Ukrainian malware expert, Profexer now has much to reveal to the American public.
It's a nefarious game that Russia is playing - perfecting its skills to camouflage itself, and using Ukraine as an ideal cyber-war launching ground for attacks against the West and the US during last year's election campaign. Trump must have been informed about the elusiveness of these attackers. The White House revealed last month that Putin 'told Trump that Russian hackers are too good to get caught' during their G20 meeting in Hamburg in July. Indeed, the Ukrainian malware expert, Profexer now has much to reveal to the American public.
8
This is a beautiful thing. And let's not even allow Putin to hide behind Trump's notoriety right now. This is about Russia and Putin and we need everything to come to light. This is much bigger than Trump let's not taint it with Trump.
Wonderful news.
Wonderful news.
5
Please come forward hackers come forward. Help us get rid of Trump.
29
This is extraordinary reporting with in-depth insights gleaned by your two talented investigative reporters. Who knew a story like this could take us through to so many twists and turns? Let's hope all investigations lead to Trump's eventual ouster.
21
This is the most important story and should lead versus more Trump distraction tiffs, fights and name-calling.
Our intelligence has plenty of proof that the 2016 election for president/vice president was tainted by the Russians: at least 39 states' voter systems hacked, 1,000 internet trolls planting false stories about Hillary Clinton; plenty of treasonous interaction with the Trump international crime family, team and appointees.
If we were monitoring that election like we did in other countries, it would've already been voided. Either install the runner up or call for a new election for president/vice president ON PAPER BALLOTS ONLY. South Korea managed a new election after tossing out a corrupt leader in 60 days.
Let Robert Mueller's team deal with prosecuting the treasonous criminals. All evidence must be made transparent to the American people.
Meanwhile, return career professionals to run the government while the transition takes place. Void all government actions, Executive Orders and legislation retroactive to January 20, 2017.
We need to return to democracy and sanity with leaders who represent the will of the people.
Our intelligence has plenty of proof that the 2016 election for president/vice president was tainted by the Russians: at least 39 states' voter systems hacked, 1,000 internet trolls planting false stories about Hillary Clinton; plenty of treasonous interaction with the Trump international crime family, team and appointees.
If we were monitoring that election like we did in other countries, it would've already been voided. Either install the runner up or call for a new election for president/vice president ON PAPER BALLOTS ONLY. South Korea managed a new election after tossing out a corrupt leader in 60 days.
Let Robert Mueller's team deal with prosecuting the treasonous criminals. All evidence must be made transparent to the American people.
Meanwhile, return career professionals to run the government while the transition takes place. Void all government actions, Executive Orders and legislation retroactive to January 20, 2017.
We need to return to democracy and sanity with leaders who represent the will of the people.
115
Yes, this would save our country.
12
No one of this is Constitutional . Intelligence agencies already testified that no voting machines were tampered with.
Give us an example of these "fake stories"? We didn't learn anything new about Clinton that hasn't already been reported by CNN, NYT, et al, before they fully became the propaganda arm of the DNC.
Do you even know the definition of treason, per the Constitution?
You can't even cite one statute that was broken.
You are unhinged. Suck it up, and try to back winner next time.
Give us an example of these "fake stories"? We didn't learn anything new about Clinton that hasn't already been reported by CNN, NYT, et al, before they fully became the propaganda arm of the DNC.
Do you even know the definition of treason, per the Constitution?
You can't even cite one statute that was broken.
You are unhinged. Suck it up, and try to back winner next time.
4
Gee, when are you going to vacate planet Dork for Earth.
1
Not only does the FBI need to prevent Profexer from drinking polonium-infused tea, but other exotic killers meant to silence him. His mysterious death can be directly attributed to the Russian FSB or GRU as directed by Trump's role model, Putin. The death of Profexer lays in place a piece of the puzzle documenting Russian support for Trump.
21
He's not dead....
8
After reading over dozens of comments, I was shocked to glean one thing. This hacking business has led people from all political persuasions to be very distrustful of the integrity of American electoral processes. On thing our next president will have to do is re-build trust in our government institutions. Of course, the current occupier of the White House has done nothing but foment distrust with his "investigation" into fraudulent votes that no one believes, not even him.
23
The NY Times states it as fact that the Russians hacked the DNC, but we're still waiting for the proof of that.
13
Oh, just what we need, a memo from the alternative facts universe. Listen, "Karl", if that is indeed your name, 18 US intelligence agencies confirmed the attack and no amount of nonsense from you can alter the real facts. How about them apples?
14
Now if he can only stay alive...
14
Does he happen to be 400 lbs?
8
"United States intelligence agencies, however, have been unequivocal in pointing a finger at Russia."
Sad to see that that judgment is more political than the result of a productive investigation. The fact is that we do not know who hacked the Democratic National Committee. It could very well have been Russia. It could very well have not been. We do not know.
What is clear is that Russia does use cyberspace to accomplish its political goals. So, too, do we. Recently there has been a bit of an uproar about $80 million that the State Department has but has not used. That money was targeted for exactly the kind of cyberspace meddling that Russia is accused of. There is a lot more money for that purpose that we rarely hear about.
Sad to see that that judgment is more political than the result of a productive investigation. The fact is that we do not know who hacked the Democratic National Committee. It could very well have been Russia. It could very well have not been. We do not know.
What is clear is that Russia does use cyberspace to accomplish its political goals. So, too, do we. Recently there has been a bit of an uproar about $80 million that the State Department has but has not used. That money was targeted for exactly the kind of cyberspace meddling that Russia is accused of. There is a lot more money for that purpose that we rarely hear about.
9
Not true. US intelligence services are confident of Russia's meddling. And who, exactly, do you mean by "we"?
15
Great story. Hope the NYT can continue to dig into this. I want to better understand how, when and where our polling was (obviously) hacked.
16
Profexer's safety is worrisome. You may think the U.S. would do everything to protect him. But could you trust the U.S.? If it is up to just the professional CIA, FBI or NSA folks, maybe. But there is a huge unknown politically. Time to get other Western security teams involved. Especially the EUs
23
Fantastic reporting. And a big thanks to US and Ukraine cybersecurity personnel.
25
The man must be given maximum protection by a special team. His food and drink must be carefully monitored - no sudden death from a bathtub falling from the fourth floor window, or a plutonium-tipped umbrella piercing his shirt.
7
I hope he can stay safe.
16
Very, very fine reporting by Kramer and Higgins. It provides an entrypoint into the Russian hacking that we readers can understand. And let us not forget that Paul Manafort worked for the pro-Russian candidate in the Ukraine.
It shows that the Russians are clever, easily clever enough to have manipulated the Trump campaign that was ineptly led.
We're at war, and Trump and his followers are sitting on their derrieres. It appears that Trump is the Manchurian candidate.
It shows that the Russians are clever, easily clever enough to have manipulated the Trump campaign that was ineptly led.
We're at war, and Trump and his followers are sitting on their derrieres. It appears that Trump is the Manchurian candidate.
35
This article is really great....at telling you there is still no direct evidence and barely any circumstantial evidence linking Russia to the DC hack.
9
"We're at war."
This type of warmongering is dangerous. We are far from being at war with Russia. To act as though we are makes us miss opportunities to help countries like Ukraine and Syria, both of which could use some help and in both of which Russia's influence is much, much greater than our own.
Couple warmongering with the ridiculous search for nonexistent connections between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia and you have a real recipe for failure. Donald Trump should be meeting with and negotiating with Vladimir Putin to do some good in the world. Instead Congress ties his hands and thinks it has accomplished something.
This type of warmongering is dangerous. We are far from being at war with Russia. To act as though we are makes us miss opportunities to help countries like Ukraine and Syria, both of which could use some help and in both of which Russia's influence is much, much greater than our own.
Couple warmongering with the ridiculous search for nonexistent connections between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia and you have a real recipe for failure. Donald Trump should be meeting with and negotiating with Vladimir Putin to do some good in the world. Instead Congress ties his hands and thinks it has accomplished something.
9
Donald Trump has never wanted ,nor will ever want, to do good in the world for anyone but himself.
And the connections between Trump and criminal elements in Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan are far from nonexistent.He's up to his neck in corruption, fraud ,shell companies and money-laundering.
And the connections between Trump and criminal elements in Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan are far from nonexistent.He's up to his neck in corruption, fraud ,shell companies and money-laundering.
10
I'm confused these guys play on restricted acess networks and yet billion dollar corporations can't protect out information.
10
Excellent point. I often wonder the same thing.
1
I don't think the corporations are even trying. The information's wide open.
2
Lots of commenters here seem uninformed about the fake story that had Seth Rich hacking the DNC, where he worked, and then being murdered by sinister forces (presumably Hillary supporters or HRC herself).
Ed Butowsky, a wealthy Texas donor and activist, was behind this fake story which he tried to sell to the White House and Fox News. He got it out briefly, but it was quickly withdrawn by Fox for not being up to its investigative standards - an incredibly low bar, BTW. His chief investigator is now suing Butowsky and Fox for making unjustified claims and scapegoating him. Virtually no one stands behind the story. The local police have reaffirmed their view that the murder was a robbery gone bad, and the FBI categorically denies it is investigating the murder.
Unfortunately, like many rightwing memes, it’s taken on a life of it’s own. Kind of like a zombie. Dead but still making the rounds.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/08/01/spicer-claim...
Ed Butowsky, a wealthy Texas donor and activist, was behind this fake story which he tried to sell to the White House and Fox News. He got it out briefly, but it was quickly withdrawn by Fox for not being up to its investigative standards - an incredibly low bar, BTW. His chief investigator is now suing Butowsky and Fox for making unjustified claims and scapegoating him. Virtually no one stands behind the story. The local police have reaffirmed their view that the murder was a robbery gone bad, and the FBI categorically denies it is investigating the murder.
Unfortunately, like many rightwing memes, it’s taken on a life of it’s own. Kind of like a zombie. Dead but still making the rounds.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/08/01/spicer-claim...
22
There is little interest in Russian hacking except in any way it can be used to bring down Trump. When was the last time you heard any congressional investigator in front of the cameras saying he wanted to find out exactly how the Russians and hacked and what can be done to prevent it? No, it all related to Trump. And, now, even Mueller seems to be abandoning Russian hacking and moving to just find any crime he can hang on Trump.
5
Well, that's what you think. Mueller is going to bury Russia AND Trump in the most outrageous attack upon the nation since 9/11. Spoiler alert: This doesn't end well for the Donald.
5
And there are plenty of those.
Ask Donald about how he cleans up dirty money for his dubious friends....
Ask Donald about how he cleans up dirty money for his dubious friends....
6
They better get that guy out of there and into protective custody, or he might suddenly drop dead of mysterious radiation sickness. He might be anonymous to us but probably not to Putin's gang.
Btw, that particular piece of malware is probably not the only thing Putin got in the Ukraine. You know his grubby modus operandi finger prints are all over those ballistic missile engines that somehow got to North Korea just in time for them to suddenly transform their capability - forcing the Chinese to compete in supporting Kim Jong Un and cracking the US / Korean / Japanese alliance.
Btw, that particular piece of malware is probably not the only thing Putin got in the Ukraine. You know his grubby modus operandi finger prints are all over those ballistic missile engines that somehow got to North Korea just in time for them to suddenly transform their capability - forcing the Chinese to compete in supporting Kim Jong Un and cracking the US / Korean / Japanese alliance.
15
Yes on the Ukraine/NK situation.
'It remains unclear how extensively he interacted with the Russian hacking team.'
Surely the jump is being gunned here. There is yet no evidence that he did interacted.
Surely the jump is being gunned here. There is yet no evidence that he did interacted.
8
The malware this Ukrainian hacker is responsible for is actually a phpwebshell. The sources of some old / base version can even be located on a github. There are quite a lot of such shells, they need to be installed on already compromised computer to easily execute commands remotely and transfer files. This definitely isn't a hi-tech stuff and I'm pretty sure that government sponsored hackers use their own tools just because you could never trust another hacker.
So what makes this web shell so special? I think because the author put "Made in Ukraine" slogan and Ukrainian flag in it. For a few dollars russians play their favourite false flag game.
So what makes this web shell so special? I think because the author put "Made in Ukraine" slogan and Ukrainian flag in it. For a few dollars russians play their favourite false flag game.
6
On the other hand, using an unsophisticated method developed by a freelancer would be consistent with FSB's use of cut-outs. If the operation is compromised it can't be traced further and there's plausible deniability. Just some guy sitting in his living room as Trump says.
7
Finally! Concrete proof that Trump worked with the Russians to steal the election.
You might need some corroboration on this one, but it sounds promising.
You might need some corroboration on this one, but it sounds promising.
9
What happens if we discover that the hackers did in fact move votes to Trump and he didn't really legitimately win the election?
14
We vote again. And Hillary will win by a landslide.
I do believe this will happen. Buckle up!
I do believe this will happen. Buckle up!
3
Anji:
Since there's no evidence Russia hacked either the DNC or computer vote counting, we don't have to confront that question.
Are you comfortable with the fact that George W Bush won in neither 2000 nor 2004, and that latter loss was reversed via hacking of the vote counting?
Since there's no evidence Russia hacked either the DNC or computer vote counting, we don't have to confront that question.
Are you comfortable with the fact that George W Bush won in neither 2000 nor 2004, and that latter loss was reversed via hacking of the vote counting?
2
Isn't this exactly what Reality Winner had evidence of? Look how immediately she was silenced. Have the polling "inaccuracies" ever been even half way explained? There was no respected poll that had Florida in Trumps column.
All it would take would be an algorithm that skews the vote just a tad to the right. Like switching say one in 25 ballots dem ballots to R. In systems without paper records how is a cross check even possible?
We SHOULD be doing an analysis to see if any particular type of polling system / setup etc skewed more or less than expected to tease out this info.
All it would take would be an algorithm that skews the vote just a tad to the right. Like switching say one in 25 ballots dem ballots to R. In systems without paper records how is a cross check even possible?
We SHOULD be doing an analysis to see if any particular type of polling system / setup etc skewed more or less than expected to tease out this info.
13
Ukrainians giving and revealing the DNC hacks, and yet Podesta and the DNC is still refusing FBI access while they continue to delete, destroy, erase any and all evidence. Prison for all.
5
With the sudden and strange demotion of the top FBI Counter Intelligence officer hired just a week ago, it looks like we might lose this guy to the Russians as well.
5
Our nation has an ethical responsibility to give this man sanctuary. Lacking that our allies should do so. The Russian security services are always brutal and quite often lethal when dealing with individuals like him. I have no faith in either the desire nor the ability of the Ukraine to protect him.
8
It's really simple, Traitor Trump sold out America to get elected President. Is there anything else to know? I guess it would be a good idea for certain agencies to figure out how the Russians did it, what kind of deal they cut with Trump and how, and how to prevent this sort of thing going forward.
24
If Podesta's hacked emails only contained routine communications, not anything explicitly or implicitly pointing to illegal or otherwise improper conduct by the DNC or other members of the Democratic Party's leadership, would a hacker's public disclosure of the contents of those emails merit more than a collective yawn? The hacked communications confirmed the Democratic Party's leadership actually engaged in improper conduct. That is why this is a news story.
The Democratic Party's leadership HAS fallen into institutionally corrupt behavior, most likely tied to its dependency on a fairly small number of rich people and their corporations to heavily finance Democratic politicians' political campaigns. This financing model guarantees conflicts of interest, because the Democratic Party's priority is to satisfy the political desires of its most generous donors, instead of doing what is best for, or implementing the will of, the American people.
The Democrats blamed everyone but themselves for their election losses. What the Democrats should do is admit their party has a serious problem with corruption and then take steps to fix that problem, such as by retiring the existing leadership and limiting all campaign contributions to small amounts. Unfortunately for those of us who are not fans of the Republican Party, the Democrats have retained their past leaders and financing model. In fact, they appear to be counting on blunders by the Republicans to put them back into power.
The Democratic Party's leadership HAS fallen into institutionally corrupt behavior, most likely tied to its dependency on a fairly small number of rich people and their corporations to heavily finance Democratic politicians' political campaigns. This financing model guarantees conflicts of interest, because the Democratic Party's priority is to satisfy the political desires of its most generous donors, instead of doing what is best for, or implementing the will of, the American people.
The Democrats blamed everyone but themselves for their election losses. What the Democrats should do is admit their party has a serious problem with corruption and then take steps to fix that problem, such as by retiring the existing leadership and limiting all campaign contributions to small amounts. Unfortunately for those of us who are not fans of the Republican Party, the Democrats have retained their past leaders and financing model. In fact, they appear to be counting on blunders by the Republicans to put them back into power.
14
Please give the clearest example. I'm still tired that people bought the hyperbole. "Corruption" is used as tossed around as Podesta's risotto recipe.
7
Hey, @Gene. You are backing Russia. Russia is a power that it hostile to the United States. What does that make you... and Trump and his followers?
14
Second story in 2 days with Russian and Ukrainian Actors. The Russians acted the middle man for the North Koreans to get high performance missiles from the Eastern Region of Ukraine. Now, again the Russian paw prints are all over on the election hacking and again with a Ukrainian Actpr. Over 28 years ago as the USSR captive natins began to declare independence, I said to my Eastern Europe Studies Professor, that I didn't trust the Russians would be our friends. It didn't matter what the Russian Bear is czarist, communist, or authoritarian, they'll always be our opponents. Since 2014, we have been in a 2nd Cold War.
28
You mean 1994, 20 years earlier, when decision to expand NATO was made?
6
Great job, FBI! Please throw Profexer into some highly-secured location where he can't be killed by a radiation-poisoned cup of tea.
Whether Trump has colluded further than tastelessly gloating over Russia's actions remains for Mueller to discover. Further discussion of that is irrelevant till we get evidence. But I am grateful we have found this man Profexer and can now turn to the bigger issue, which is cyber interference by a foreign power and which both parties appear to take seriously.
The next step to me is not "the impeachment of Trump" but securing our voting systems from all enemies foreign and domestic - because after we wrap up Russia we have a bigger problem. That's the removal of billions of dark dollars that flow into politics and media by such influencers as the Mercers and Kochs and vote suppressors like Kobach, as well as megadonors on the left. This is more influential and corrupting to our nation than Moscow. We need a Constitutional Amendment for that and we are getting one.
Whether Trump has colluded further than tastelessly gloating over Russia's actions remains for Mueller to discover. Further discussion of that is irrelevant till we get evidence. But I am grateful we have found this man Profexer and can now turn to the bigger issue, which is cyber interference by a foreign power and which both parties appear to take seriously.
The next step to me is not "the impeachment of Trump" but securing our voting systems from all enemies foreign and domestic - because after we wrap up Russia we have a bigger problem. That's the removal of billions of dark dollars that flow into politics and media by such influencers as the Mercers and Kochs and vote suppressors like Kobach, as well as megadonors on the left. This is more influential and corrupting to our nation than Moscow. We need a Constitutional Amendment for that and we are getting one.
23
How a so called "reputable" newspaper can post such complete and utter nonsense is totally beyond me, journalists and editors are supposed to be intelligent people but articles like this prove otherweise. There is absolutely NO evidence at all that Russians hacked the DNC to influence the US election, in fact all the evidence suggests that it was DNC insiders like Seth Rich that were linking the information. Your country is responsible for the illegal overthrowing of a democratially elected government in Ukraine, just like they are attempting to do in Syria. Yanukovych wanted closer ties with Russia and the west was having none of that, Obama, his cronies and people like Soros didn't want that so they oversaw the coup that saw a democratically elected leader removed from power. Then we have you Americans constantly going on about how Russia "invaded" Ukraine, however Ukraine's state prosecutor has evidence that Putin was asked to interject by Yanukovych, Yannukovych has confirmed this in many interviews. Then on top of all that you had Clinton, Soros and their cronies trying to manipulate the US election but they still lost, so who does the US blame ?. If the US stopped meddling in other countries business this entire world would be a far better place. So, a Ukranian hacker says he has evidence of Russian hacking ?, no doubt contrivedlike your weapons inspections in Iraq etc
15
It's just astonishing how brilliant you are.
7
this sounds like the contrived version, to me...seth rich? that was entirely made up.
3
You are writing from the UK? Highly unlikely. And this article refutes everything you just said. Furthermore, Russians are all over Twitter posing as Americans-- and posing as UK citizens in the UK, pushing the brexit. This is a FACT. They use fake bio pictures from RU websites that would only show up if a person searched in the Russian language.
16
I wonder if there are any Buddhist hackers
7
I am sure there some. And those are very Zen...
5
Another excellent, thorough, and newsworthy article by the NYT. Thank you Mr. Kramer and Mr. Higgins for your hard work. Exceptional reporting.
At the risk of sounding naïve, if Profexer did not create the malware it to be used in the way it was, then why create or author it at all? What purposes or justifications could there be other than negative, destructive, intrusive, or manipulative ones? Just asking out of ignorance.
20
Profexer says he did it to make money. In other words, amoral reasons.
2
Marge, these guys cant help themselves. Its a, "If I can do it, why not?" mentality. They thrive on the risk, some have a sense of misguided justice, an Us versus The Man sort of hing. And most of course profile as criminals. Just not the usual physical types.
3
Thanks for the intel Mr. Sawyer. Apparently I missed that part while reading the article. These greedy knuckleheads are incredibly dangerous on so many levels.
1
With friends like Ukrainians,
who needs Russians???
who needs Russians???
6
Can we put a stop to Bitcoin and companies like it? Every timeI read one of these types of stories, it seems that Bitcoin is what allows these people to commit evil and get paid for it, with nothing traceable. I've yet to hear anything constructive about the use of fake currencies like Bitcoin. If all they do is facilitate crime, then let's do away with them.
16
there is no watch dog for bitcoin, use (or don't) at your own risk..i prefer not!
3
Cant simply throw a switch and stop Bitcoin. The actors involved have the controls. No government can stop it. In fact, some might even be seeking a means to exploit it, tax it, use it for their own means...
2
I would not want to be this witness, fearing death from Putin and Trump. I wouldn't be comforted to know that many Americans and other supporters of democracy want him alive and well.
We need to keep this man safe: I can't wait to hear what he has to say.
We need to keep this man safe: I can't wait to hear what he has to say.
19
The fact that hackers could change the election votes and change who has a better percentage is worrisome, especially since if a candidate for The President of the United States has wrong intentions or wants to put laws that are opposite of the bill of rights is selected. The results could be wrongfully if hackers change who is selected.
The possibility of hackers is increasing as technology gets more advanced that we use it for many things but also it affects voting and a candidate could be chosen wrongly is higher. It could affect campaigns drastically by changing their voting scores.
Even hackers from different countries could affect us. Voting is vulnerable to hackers. For wanting their favorite candidate to be selected or some other reason, voting should have more precautions to prevent hackers from changing or altering the results of the voting campaign to make it fair and an equal chance for each candidate to be selected. Their should probably be a change in how voting is registered electronically.
The possibility of hackers is increasing as technology gets more advanced that we use it for many things but also it affects voting and a candidate could be chosen wrongly is higher. It could affect campaigns drastically by changing their voting scores.
Even hackers from different countries could affect us. Voting is vulnerable to hackers. For wanting their favorite candidate to be selected or some other reason, voting should have more precautions to prevent hackers from changing or altering the results of the voting campaign to make it fair and an equal chance for each candidate to be selected. Their should probably be a change in how voting is registered electronically.
6
It seems that the Times is highly allergic to well-sourced reports that the DNC emails published by Wikileaks came from a leak, not a hack. The evidence from forensic analysis that has been verified by former high level U.S. electronics intelligence professionals is quite convincing. It was an inside job. But the Times has devoted so much time and effort to promoting the Russian hack narrative, that they would prefer not to mention the possibility of a different narrative.
https://www.thenation.com/article/a-new-report-raises-big-questions-abou...
https://www.thenation.com/article/a-new-report-raises-big-questions-abou...
14
Yes. Actually it was an insider democrat all the time, just trying to make Republican angels look bad.
1
I question the technical accuracy of the findings discussed in the article. For example,
"Forensicator’s first decisive findings, made public in the paper dated July 9, concerned the volume of the supposedly hacked material and what is called the transfer rate—the time a remote hack would require. The metadata established several facts in this regard with granular precision: On the evening of July 5, 2016, 1,976 megabytes of data were downloaded from the DNC’s server. The operation took 87 seconds. This yields a transfer rate of 22.7 megabytes per second.
These statistics are matters of record and essential to disproving the hack theory. No Internet service provider, such as a hacker would have had to use in mid-2016, was capable of downloading data at this speed."
I'm not sure what kind of ISP Forensicator is thinking of, but any enterprise connection to the Internet is much faster than that, and I'm pretty sure that the DNC and intelligence services have much faster connections than 23MBps. The rest of the article seems to be as flimsy as the quote above. I'm surprised that The Nation would publish an article with such glaring errors.
"Forensicator’s first decisive findings, made public in the paper dated July 9, concerned the volume of the supposedly hacked material and what is called the transfer rate—the time a remote hack would require. The metadata established several facts in this regard with granular precision: On the evening of July 5, 2016, 1,976 megabytes of data were downloaded from the DNC’s server. The operation took 87 seconds. This yields a transfer rate of 22.7 megabytes per second.
These statistics are matters of record and essential to disproving the hack theory. No Internet service provider, such as a hacker would have had to use in mid-2016, was capable of downloading data at this speed."
I'm not sure what kind of ISP Forensicator is thinking of, but any enterprise connection to the Internet is much faster than that, and I'm pretty sure that the DNC and intelligence services have much faster connections than 23MBps. The rest of the article seems to be as flimsy as the quote above. I'm surprised that The Nation would publish an article with such glaring errors.
4
@Robert, so our authorites shouldn't investigate Russia's role in hacking??? I love your Fox Newsy "quite convincing" pseudo authoritative comment.
1
Is this about how Hillary stole the nomination from Bernie? Cool..
7
Hillary one by getting the most votes. There was no dark force that kept Bernie from winning. It was that more people thought Clinton had better credentials, experience and had thought out the issues to a far greater degree than Bernie. He said he would do things that he didn't know how to accomplish. The interview in the New York Daily News proved that.
7
i think I can summarize this article:
Some person may exist: If he exists, it may be possible to use the threat of arrest to blackmail him into to saying, that he sold the same code he sells to lots of people, to "the Russians".
Some person may exist: If he exists, it may be possible to use the threat of arrest to blackmail him into to saying, that he sold the same code he sells to lots of people, to "the Russians".
6
''There is no evidence that Profexer worked, at least knowingly, for Russia’s intelligence services... a hacking operation that Washington is convinced was orchestrated by Moscow would obtain malware from a source in Ukraine — perhaps the Kremlin’s most bitter enemy — sheds considerable light on the Russian security services’ modus operandi in what Western intelligence agencies say is their clandestine cyberwar against the United States and Europe.''
More shameful chaff. Utterly appalling. Read Seymore Hersch and other TRUTH tellers (Greenwald, Pulitzer prize winner 2014, wikileaks, who have only told TRUTHS so far. no matter how INCONVENIENT on this most important issue of a New Cold War. a shameful period in US new reporting.
As the originator of news as war tool (remember WMD's of Iraq) we had William Hurst promising T. Roosevelt that if he wanted a war (Spanish American war of 1898) he would give it to him.
The accusation that it was Putin who gave the presidency to Trump not the unlimited MSM Trump coverage or the racists in this nation voting for him, is dangerous; in many ways. To peace, to the functioning of an INDEPENDENT honest press, to democracy and to liberty, The NYT, Washington Post and UK's Guardian have been nothing but mouthpieces for the McCarthyist war mongering DNC who last election decided to NOT have any primaries and give it to Hillary ('her turn'), Ignoring all of us Sanders supporters who said only she could lose to Trump (and did!) Shame!
More shameful chaff. Utterly appalling. Read Seymore Hersch and other TRUTH tellers (Greenwald, Pulitzer prize winner 2014, wikileaks, who have only told TRUTHS so far. no matter how INCONVENIENT on this most important issue of a New Cold War. a shameful period in US new reporting.
As the originator of news as war tool (remember WMD's of Iraq) we had William Hurst promising T. Roosevelt that if he wanted a war (Spanish American war of 1898) he would give it to him.
The accusation that it was Putin who gave the presidency to Trump not the unlimited MSM Trump coverage or the racists in this nation voting for him, is dangerous; in many ways. To peace, to the functioning of an INDEPENDENT honest press, to democracy and to liberty, The NYT, Washington Post and UK's Guardian have been nothing but mouthpieces for the McCarthyist war mongering DNC who last election decided to NOT have any primaries and give it to Hillary ('her turn'), Ignoring all of us Sanders supporters who said only she could lose to Trump (and did!) Shame!
9
@Vlad-Drakul
There was indeed a Democratic primary and Bernie Sanders lost because more people voted for Hillary Clinton. That's how Hillary Clinton won the Democratic primary Vlad.
There was indeed a Democratic primary and Bernie Sanders lost because more people voted for Hillary Clinton. That's how Hillary Clinton won the Democratic primary Vlad.
5
I know there was but it was against the wishes of the DNC which is why they sabotaged Sanders. They had talked Elizabeth Warren out of running and Sanders then ran DESPITE the DNC not wanting him to.
So then they played dirty. Over 200,000 voters found themselves not permitted to vote and the party did anything but play fair, which was proven when Debbie Wasserman Schultz was forced to resign over this, a move ordered by Barack Obama our POTUS.
Despite your self willed myopia, the decision it would be HER turn was made not during the election but BEFORE by the same DNC that are pushing this most expensive two time loser again in 2018. .
Yes with 'She persisted, we resisted'; it is clear the DNC are so determined to ignore reality and that would rather lose to Trump with Hillary than win with a progressive, Your shallow non argument only compounds the problem to those of us who know better. Just as with the lame argument that she 'won the election' because of the number of votes when indeed ALL US elections have used the 'electoral college' system. Indeed 2 days before the election it was Hillary who warned that questioning the result would be anti democratic.
But that is exactly what the DNC did and now does. And when this is pointed out your fellow acolytes then fall back on the excuse that the DNC is a 'private affair' and they can be as biased as 'they' want. NO, democracy belongs to the people, NOT the insiders who sabotaged our democracy (see 'super delegates')!
So then they played dirty. Over 200,000 voters found themselves not permitted to vote and the party did anything but play fair, which was proven when Debbie Wasserman Schultz was forced to resign over this, a move ordered by Barack Obama our POTUS.
Despite your self willed myopia, the decision it would be HER turn was made not during the election but BEFORE by the same DNC that are pushing this most expensive two time loser again in 2018. .
Yes with 'She persisted, we resisted'; it is clear the DNC are so determined to ignore reality and that would rather lose to Trump with Hillary than win with a progressive, Your shallow non argument only compounds the problem to those of us who know better. Just as with the lame argument that she 'won the election' because of the number of votes when indeed ALL US elections have used the 'electoral college' system. Indeed 2 days before the election it was Hillary who warned that questioning the result would be anti democratic.
But that is exactly what the DNC did and now does. And when this is pointed out your fellow acolytes then fall back on the excuse that the DNC is a 'private affair' and they can be as biased as 'they' want. NO, democracy belongs to the people, NOT the insiders who sabotaged our democracy (see 'super delegates')!
3
Clearly a cover up of immense proportions is being perpetrated by trump himself and his henchmen. It's obvious that Putin won trump the election and expects pay back. It's also obvious that trump isn't forthcoming on what he knows and when he knew it. Most troubling are trump’s henchmen running interference with the FBI to thwart its investigation. And the recent ‘private’ telephone calls between trump and Putin are ominous as well. Treasonous malfeasance now looms as a real possibility, no question.
13
Russia is the known MASTER of Criminal Cyber Terrorism. Our NSA and everything else is no match for their attack and CLEAN UP efforts. That is the reason no evidence of hacking machines or changing tallies was found by our government.
The average computer adroit 14 year old can hack into the cloud of all 50 states in less than a couple of hours and leave no trace.
Trained Russian hackers can do it in less than an hour and leave no trace.
Even as our nation grinds on under Comrade Trump, the hacking for the 2018 elections by Russia continues. Decentralized voting machines, archaic machines etc. is all nonsense. All that is required is identification of a point in the system such as during the tallying of results when fast changes can be quickly effected without a trace.
This so called hacker is one of many. His actions will not alter Putin's commitment to keep Trump's agenda on course by hacking us like fish. The NSA should hire Black hat young hackers to protect our cyber abilities.
The average computer adroit 14 year old can hack into the cloud of all 50 states in less than a couple of hours and leave no trace.
Trained Russian hackers can do it in less than an hour and leave no trace.
Even as our nation grinds on under Comrade Trump, the hacking for the 2018 elections by Russia continues. Decentralized voting machines, archaic machines etc. is all nonsense. All that is required is identification of a point in the system such as during the tallying of results when fast changes can be quickly effected without a trace.
This so called hacker is one of many. His actions will not alter Putin's commitment to keep Trump's agenda on course by hacking us like fish. The NSA should hire Black hat young hackers to protect our cyber abilities.
4
The key hack of the 2016 election was the Trump hack of the mainstream media that took place in plain sight. The media signed a devils bargain when they publicized Trump's exploitation of the birther fake news. Trump understood then that he could parlay outrageous and provocative language and behavior in to free 24/7 publicity for himself with the media the recipient of a spike in advertising dollars. This has created a historic (and hysteric) unholy alliance between Trump and the media.
The only antidote to this failure would have been to ignore him back then, like they do with most crackpots. But the money he was raking in for the media made it certain that they would remain sold out to his favor. They never thought he had a chance to win.
And by the way. Charlottesville is an expansion of this tactic. Friction sells.
The only antidote to this failure would have been to ignore him back then, like they do with most crackpots. But the money he was raking in for the media made it certain that they would remain sold out to his favor. They never thought he had a chance to win.
And by the way. Charlottesville is an expansion of this tactic. Friction sells.
6
Speaking as a trial lawyer, I am waiting for non-hearsay documents and testimony which can be cross-examined in court. Assuming Profexer wrote a malware program which he disseminated on the web, and that malware was used by some third party to "hack" the DNC's e-mail account (I still don't know what the term "hack" means, exactly, in the present context, but take it to mean that a third party forced its way into the account).
As a political child of the late 60s and early 70s, I don't have a lot of faith in the CIA, NSA and FBI, et al. The Sixth Amendment to the Bill of Rights mandates that the accused be able to confront the witnesses offering testimony against him in a public courtroom. If the "Russians" did hack the DNC's e-mail accounts, there isn't much likelihood they will stand trial since they presumably don't live in Cleveland. But, I don't like pointing the finger at anyone, including my purported adversary, without strong proof. Such sloppiness only leads to more sloppiness.
The problem with cyber issues such as are presented in this case is the same as that with "cyber-weapons"; that is, we don't know what those weapons are, or what they affect, or how seriously they would affect the world if unleashed, or if they could lead to conventional war. We know what our other weapons are--tanks, missiles, drones, etc., and we have the opportunity to openly discuss them. But the government doesn't do that with these so-called "cyber-weapons". Why not?
As a political child of the late 60s and early 70s, I don't have a lot of faith in the CIA, NSA and FBI, et al. The Sixth Amendment to the Bill of Rights mandates that the accused be able to confront the witnesses offering testimony against him in a public courtroom. If the "Russians" did hack the DNC's e-mail accounts, there isn't much likelihood they will stand trial since they presumably don't live in Cleveland. But, I don't like pointing the finger at anyone, including my purported adversary, without strong proof. Such sloppiness only leads to more sloppiness.
The problem with cyber issues such as are presented in this case is the same as that with "cyber-weapons"; that is, we don't know what those weapons are, or what they affect, or how seriously they would affect the world if unleashed, or if they could lead to conventional war. We know what our other weapons are--tanks, missiles, drones, etc., and we have the opportunity to openly discuss them. But the government doesn't do that with these so-called "cyber-weapons". Why not?
28
In reply to why there no exposure of the cyber code used to attack the DNC, would another individual use this? Yes. Exposure of the maker incites his murder, by proven murderous thugs--the government of Russia, lead by the chief kleptocrat, Mr. Putin.
In the well-designed kleptocracy to come here, the U.S. government might encourage swastika-wielding terrorists to attack Liberal institutions, foundations, tax authorities, and city governments given good Russian funded coders. So, those asking for the exposure of the code--perhaps not a good idea.
In the well-designed kleptocracy to come here, the U.S. government might encourage swastika-wielding terrorists to attack Liberal institutions, foundations, tax authorities, and city governments given good Russian funded coders. So, those asking for the exposure of the code--perhaps not a good idea.
5
Your Constitutional defense would make sense if anyone was actually being convicted of anything, but they're not. It's an ongoing investigation. And as the details leak out, yes, the public gets an increasingly clear idea of what happened. But don't worry. Trump will have his day in court prior to his impeachment.
3
Here we go again. Where’s the proof showing that the DNC emails were hacked? There is none. The emails were leaked. If the DNC servers were hacked, the NSA would have the evidence.
American intelligence agencies believe, NYT? A telltale sign that this narrative is bogus: (1) language such as “believe” means there is no evidence, and (2) no intelligence analysts are willing to put their names behind these stories.
Intel Vets Challenge ‘Russia Hack’ Evidence
https://consortiumnews.com/2017/07/24/intel-vets-challenge-russia-hack-e...
In the interview below, Bill Binney discusses the forensics that was done on the DNC log. The raw data shows that 1,987 megabytes were transmitted in 187 seconds – impossible to be transmitted in such a short time through a hack. This is why the DNC refused to turn over their server to the FBI.
Bill Binney’s interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeMYEPAd8wE
Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) have been writing for about a year that the DNC emails were leaked, not hacked. The group’s members:
- William Binney, former NSA Analyst of more than 30 years
- Edward Loomis, Jr., former NSA Technical Director for the Office of Signals Processing
- Kirk Wiebe, former Senior Analyst, SIGINT Automation Research Center, NSA
- Ray McGovern, former U.S. Army Infantry/Intelligence officer and CIA analyst
- John Kiriakou, Former CIA Counterterrorism Officer
- Coleen Rowley, FBI Special Agent (ret.)
The list is continued below.
American intelligence agencies believe, NYT? A telltale sign that this narrative is bogus: (1) language such as “believe” means there is no evidence, and (2) no intelligence analysts are willing to put their names behind these stories.
Intel Vets Challenge ‘Russia Hack’ Evidence
https://consortiumnews.com/2017/07/24/intel-vets-challenge-russia-hack-e...
In the interview below, Bill Binney discusses the forensics that was done on the DNC log. The raw data shows that 1,987 megabytes were transmitted in 187 seconds – impossible to be transmitted in such a short time through a hack. This is why the DNC refused to turn over their server to the FBI.
Bill Binney’s interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeMYEPAd8wE
Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) have been writing for about a year that the DNC emails were leaked, not hacked. The group’s members:
- William Binney, former NSA Analyst of more than 30 years
- Edward Loomis, Jr., former NSA Technical Director for the Office of Signals Processing
- Kirk Wiebe, former Senior Analyst, SIGINT Automation Research Center, NSA
- Ray McGovern, former U.S. Army Infantry/Intelligence officer and CIA analyst
- John Kiriakou, Former CIA Counterterrorism Officer
- Coleen Rowley, FBI Special Agent (ret.)
The list is continued below.
19
Members of VIPS continued:
- Skip Folden, retired IBM Program Manager
- Matthew Hoh, former Capt., USMC, Iraq & Foreign Service Officer, Afghanistan
- Larry C Johnson, CIA & State Department (ret.)
- Michael S. Kearns, Air Force Intelligence Officer (Ret.)
- Linda Lewis, WMD preparedness policy analyst, USDA (ret.)
- Lisa Ling, TSgt USAF (ret.)
- David MacMichael, National Intelligence Council (ret.)
- Elizabeth Murray, former Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Middle East, CIA
- Cian Westmoreland, former USAF Radio Frequency Transmission Systems Technician
- Sarah G. Wilton, Intelligence Officer, DIA (ret.)
- Ann Wright, U.S. Army Reserve Colonel (ret)
- Skip Folden, retired IBM Program Manager
- Matthew Hoh, former Capt., USMC, Iraq & Foreign Service Officer, Afghanistan
- Larry C Johnson, CIA & State Department (ret.)
- Michael S. Kearns, Air Force Intelligence Officer (Ret.)
- Linda Lewis, WMD preparedness policy analyst, USDA (ret.)
- Lisa Ling, TSgt USAF (ret.)
- David MacMichael, National Intelligence Council (ret.)
- Elizabeth Murray, former Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Middle East, CIA
- Cian Westmoreland, former USAF Radio Frequency Transmission Systems Technician
- Sarah G. Wilton, Intelligence Officer, DIA (ret.)
- Ann Wright, U.S. Army Reserve Colonel (ret)
9
The data speeds pre-supposes too many things to list net unconvincing but, possible. Why don't you apply skepticism to your sources? Plus DNC was not the only entity hacked DCCC is completely separate data also stolen. NSA did not simply use data forensics to determine Putin was behind it they had info from URS assets as well as conversations resulting from overseas comms monitoring. Putin behind hack=likely DNC date inside exfiltration=possible but, unlikely
2
I just tested my download speed. It's 799.27 Mbps. Megabits per second. In 187 seconds, I could theoretically download ~150,000 megabits which is over 75 times as much data as you say is "impossible to be transmitted in such a short time".
You are repeating onsensical, counter-factual conspiracy theory that I've (sadly) read at The Nation and elsewhere. My impression is that the only people who but this nonsense are people who know nothing about networking/the internet/data transfer rates.
You are repeating onsensical, counter-factual conspiracy theory that I've (sadly) read at The Nation and elsewhere. My impression is that the only people who but this nonsense are people who know nothing about networking/the internet/data transfer rates.
2
I hope the truth comes out one way of the other, but with Trump falling off the rails and becoming more and more unhinged, 3.5 more years of this could easily result in nationwide violence, if not a civil war.
25
Must have been fun being a circus bear back then what with all the intercontinental ballistic missile engines being sold, cyber attacks on political organizations within the U.S. And its only a one hour flight to the Black Sea, Turkish coffee and cigarettes. It must feel so yesterday to them now.
1
This is the scariest line in this article:
"Nevertheless, Ukrainian officials, though wary of upsetting the Trump administration, have been quietly cooperating with American investigators to try to figure out who stands behind all the disguises."
The fact that our FBI is investigating the hacking of our election might be "upsetting" our administration. That speaks volumes.
"Nevertheless, Ukrainian officials, though wary of upsetting the Trump administration, have been quietly cooperating with American investigators to try to figure out who stands behind all the disguises."
The fact that our FBI is investigating the hacking of our election might be "upsetting" our administration. That speaks volumes.
87
I don't think anyone in the Trump administration has any objection to a full investigation into the Russian hacking. That is what Mueller and his minions are supposed to be doing.
If they were focused on bringing Russians or Ukrainians or whoever to justice, that would be great. Unfortunately, they seem to be focused on politicized crimes by Americans instead. Obstruction of justice. Failure to report perfectly legal contacts with Russians. Activity that had nothing to do with the Trump campaign.
That is the problem Donald Trump is upset about. As well he should be. All that is doing no good to anyone except for those scoring political points. And it is doing a great deal of harm in preventing us from working with Russia on problems like Syria, Ukraine and North Korea.
If they were focused on bringing Russians or Ukrainians or whoever to justice, that would be great. Unfortunately, they seem to be focused on politicized crimes by Americans instead. Obstruction of justice. Failure to report perfectly legal contacts with Russians. Activity that had nothing to do with the Trump campaign.
That is the problem Donald Trump is upset about. As well he should be. All that is doing no good to anyone except for those scoring political points. And it is doing a great deal of harm in preventing us from working with Russia on problems like Syria, Ukraine and North Korea.
5
@John Smithson
The investigation, when finished, will have uncovered any activities that had to do with the Trump campaign. Not knowing all the details of an ongoing investigation it is quite premature to say 'activity that had nothing to do with the Trump campaign.' Dropping the investigation to work with Russia on anything would be foolish, Russia has a corrupt authoritarian government with far different values than the U.S., why would we be so concerned about them?
The investigation, when finished, will have uncovered any activities that had to do with the Trump campaign. Not knowing all the details of an ongoing investigation it is quite premature to say 'activity that had nothing to do with the Trump campaign.' Dropping the investigation to work with Russia on anything would be foolish, Russia has a corrupt authoritarian government with far different values than the U.S., why would we be so concerned about them?
4
Just a reminder that this article has lots of "apparently", "knowingly","convinced", "believe", etc qualifiers for a reason: there are _no_ established facts shown to the public that have proven anything.
15
Just a reminder that this article is about where the investigation is going, not where it's going to end up. When it gets there, there will be established facts of one kind or another that you will, I imagine, claim are false facts. Right now, the fact that most implicates Trump is how much he wants this investigation closed. (After all, it could hypothetically absolve him! Judging by his actions, he doesn't seem to think so.)
3
NSA are lying? Explain their motive. Career people at NSA pull down say $100k and they have nice federal retirement. So, all these NSA folk risk their jobs why? Putin's motive? 1) Fooling his people into thinking that Russia is a tech colossus and he made it happen. 2) He has reasons to make democracy seem chaotic and he has done this previously in Ukraine.
1
Who has suggested otherwise? The fact that this person, if he is who he says he is, is cooperating with the FBI and may have inside information is news in and of itself. Whatever evidence he provides will be the starting point for further investigations.
5
I am very worried about the next election. Closed source electronic voting machines, based on Microsoft Windows, are easily compromised. Bitcoin and the dark net allow exploits to be outsourced. Breaches are then weaponized via the media, which is starved for clicks, regardless of the collateral damage.
20 years ago, when my company was exporting software, it needed to fill a from from ITAR, short for: International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Already, back then, encryption was treated as a potential weapon. Today, we should treat media abetted misinformation the same way: as a potential weapon to be exploited by state actors.
20 years ago, when my company was exporting software, it needed to fill a from from ITAR, short for: International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Already, back then, encryption was treated as a potential weapon. Today, we should treat media abetted misinformation the same way: as a potential weapon to be exploited by state actors.
20
Perhaps it's time to return to old-fashioned paper ballots. The Dutch did in a recent election due to concerns. It will be interesting to see what happens in the forthcoming German election.
27
Really, and who is to be the judge of what is "media abetted misinformation"? You? Me? Worse, the government? That is the point of the First Amendment, proscribing any law "abridging the freedom of speech", even if it is intentionally or inadvertently inaccurate--fully protected up to the point of inciting immediate physical violence (and we often tend to ignore such incitements to riot or burn).
And, by the way, how did ITAR work out in terms of stopping the exportation of encryption software? It didn't work out, as the government backed off threats to jail the software developers who were creating and uploading such software based on the knowledge that part of ITAR would be struck down as unconstitutional. You can't stop the publication of what is in a person's mind in the U.S., legally or practically, and the same applies to symbolic speech such as burning the flag. This is the case in the U.S. because we have the First Amendment, but free speech is not constitutionally protected in England, France, Germany or Russia.
And, by the way, how did ITAR work out in terms of stopping the exportation of encryption software? It didn't work out, as the government backed off threats to jail the software developers who were creating and uploading such software based on the knowledge that part of ITAR would be struck down as unconstitutional. You can't stop the publication of what is in a person's mind in the U.S., legally or practically, and the same applies to symbolic speech such as burning the flag. This is the case in the U.S. because we have the First Amendment, but free speech is not constitutionally protected in England, France, Germany or Russia.
2
US electronic voting machines are not based on Microsoft Windows, geez, and they are never connected to the Internet.
4
Political campaigns, will often use any means, and underlings, and those who want to curry favor, will inadvertently be caught up in a web, of wrong doing, not caring if they break the law. This will be interesting, if in the end result, they find enough meat in the information from this particular source, to nail anyone to the wall.
4
On the one hand you hear in this article from Jeffrey Carr "that there is not now and never has been a single piece of technical evidence produced that connects the malware used in the D.N.C. attack to the G.R.U., F.S.B. or any agency of the Russian government“. On the other hand you have heard from the Snowden leaks that there exists a massive software „toolbox“ for NSA hackers to target adversaries all over the world. Could it be that the uproar over alleged Russian interference in the democratic system of the US is actually a smokescreen to hide the activities of the NSA ?
11
No, it could not.
7
Might make a fun spy novel, too many examples of Russian interference in governments worldwide to be credible.
1
And your evidence for this?
We need a special election. Congress needs to come up with a constitutional apparatus.
The November 2016 presidential election has resulted in seven months of degradation for this country, culminating with a sitting president unable to find it within himself to issue a wholehearted condemnation of torch-bearing white supremacists marching on one of our finest, proudest universities.
We defeated an evil empire in World War Two. This time, the evil is within. Are we just going to sit around and say, oh, there's nothing we can do?
The November 2016 presidential election has resulted in seven months of degradation for this country, culminating with a sitting president unable to find it within himself to issue a wholehearted condemnation of torch-bearing white supremacists marching on one of our finest, proudest universities.
We defeated an evil empire in World War Two. This time, the evil is within. Are we just going to sit around and say, oh, there's nothing we can do?
125
We had one. It's called the electoral college and it failed us. They still have one, it's called the 25th amendment, and yesterday's press conference could definitely qualify. Now we need a cabinet with the guts to use it.
5
"We defeated an evil empire in World War Two." -- another one history rewriter.
And yeah! Take your shotgun go to the street and make an apocalypses! I already bought popcorn.
And yeah! Take your shotgun go to the street and make an apocalypses! I already bought popcorn.
Alt-right media knew this story was coming, because news feeds coming from that sewer have been seeking to undermine the Russian connection with increasing intensity and frequency over the past week. It is a sure "tell" of Russian influence.
61
A fascinating article about an extremely important topic. It explains a complex matter very well while remaining justifiably cautious about drawing too many conclusions.
I very much hope the Times and other investigative outlets will examine whether the Russian hacking of our 2016 (and other?) elections went beyond emails and efforts to probe our state election systems. That is, it is important to consider the possibility that such hacking actually might have affected vote counts - or could do so now or in 2018. There are probably nature political explanations for why the Trump campaign fought so hard to block recounts in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. But with hacking in the air, there might be other explanations as well.
I don't want to sound paranoid, but the more we learn about these cyber-attacks, the more it seems conceivable that such manipulation could take place.
I very much hope the Times and other investigative outlets will examine whether the Russian hacking of our 2016 (and other?) elections went beyond emails and efforts to probe our state election systems. That is, it is important to consider the possibility that such hacking actually might have affected vote counts - or could do so now or in 2018. There are probably nature political explanations for why the Trump campaign fought so hard to block recounts in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. But with hacking in the air, there might be other explanations as well.
I don't want to sound paranoid, but the more we learn about these cyber-attacks, the more it seems conceivable that such manipulation could take place.
34
And they summarily dismissed looking at the machines in those states. That would have been the first thing I would want to see is when software was updated or installed. That still could be covered up, but we should have at least checked. Byte by Byte check of machine code identicality would have been nice. Also having a secondary manual count to supplement the electronic one would be a nice safety valve. But we shouldn't NOT check the machines because we are afraid that what we find might destabilize our country. Trump's done that anyways.
6
The plot thickens & clarifies !
No wonder Trump & his minions are so defensive. No wonder he has pandered to Putin.
Maybe Manafort will flip, but Russia is obviously interested in anything that destabilizes America. Exposing Trump (as with the Donald Jr meeting 'reveal') is their goal.
Trump was Putin's stooge..an unwitting Manchurian Candidate. The smears they have, the felonious money laundering evidence- these are all in Putin's grasp to leak as best makes Russia Great.
No wonder Trump & his minions are so defensive. No wonder he has pandered to Putin.
Maybe Manafort will flip, but Russia is obviously interested in anything that destabilizes America. Exposing Trump (as with the Donald Jr meeting 'reveal') is their goal.
Trump was Putin's stooge..an unwitting Manchurian Candidate. The smears they have, the felonious money laundering evidence- these are all in Putin's grasp to leak as best makes Russia Great.
12
ukraine again! didn't you just identify this place as the source of north korea's icbm parts and technology? appearances aside it seems we're dealing with a rogue state possessing greater capacity to damage our national interests than afghanistan circa 2001. these are the consequences of the breakdown in bilateral relations with russia after the 1991 dissolution of the ussr. bush 41 promised gorbachev not to expand nato to russia's doorstep. clinton took advantage of yeltsin to violate this agreement. it was likely a policy rooted in weapons contracts and nothing more, but look what hell it has wrought. while this does not excuse putin's low-intensity campaign against the west, it does reveal a failure of american statecraft that antedates trump's criminal shenanigans.
8
It would be hard for an outsider to understand from your post that Russia has occupied and annexed swathes of Ukrainian territory in recent years. It is very hard for you to incorporate that inconvenient violation of all post-war international norms into your world view, kind sir.
What is next? Poroshenko is a Nazi? (This is an actual talking point in Russia.) Time to look in the mirror.
What is next? Poroshenko is a Nazi? (This is an actual talking point in Russia.) Time to look in the mirror.
2
didn't NATO annexed the piece of Serbian territory? Didn't the US occupy Iraq? Doesn't the US occupy pieces of Syria? Too much for the post-war norms
2
I always wondered where that Hillary/Ukraine story came from. All of a sudden there were trolls using it online. now I know.
23
Without regard to its accuracy, a Hillary-Podesta/Ukraine story was circulating since the spring or summer of last year (based on what I had read back then).
1
Excellent article, but I would note that the caption under the picture of FSB headquarters is misleading. The FSB is believed to operate APT 29 (Cozy Bear). The GRU is believed to operate APT 28 (Fancy Bear). The FSB and SVR tend to lurk, while the GRU has been much more aggressive in its hacking operations, and is believed to be the responsible organization behind the DNC hack. All Russian intelligence agencies use Ukraine as a test bed for malware, and rely on a wide array of programmers, including Ukrainians, to devise the code for their hacking exploits. Like Russia, Ukraine places a much higher priority on computer expertise, and on a per capita basis has many more talented hackers than in the United States.
4
This is why Stanton insists on storing his old love letters in a Macanudo cigar box underneath his bed. (Incorporating tobacco from the rich farmlands of the San Andres Tuxtla Valley of Mexico and bound in premium Connecticut Shade wrappers, Macanudos provide a smooth smoke that is neither harsh nor overpowering.)
8
Here we see concrete connections between the entities that interfered in the American election. The evidence also tells us that these entities communicated with one another, and coordinated their efforts.
Russian government-controlled television stations knew in advance what hackers, i.e., Russian intelligence, were planning. The content of the stations' broadcasts explicitly aided and furthered the hacking. Code used for the American, Ukrainian and World Anti-Doping Agency attacks was acquired from the same Ukrainian software developer. Russian government-controlled television stations met with and made payments to Mr. Flynn, among others. Hackers used the same techniques to attack the World Anti-Doping Agency on behalf of Mr. Putin's nationalist project of doping by athletes. This summer, the same techniques were used to once again attack the leader whom Putin fears more than any other, Secretary Clinton.
Russian government-controlled television stations knew in advance what hackers, i.e., Russian intelligence, were planning. The content of the stations' broadcasts explicitly aided and furthered the hacking. Code used for the American, Ukrainian and World Anti-Doping Agency attacks was acquired from the same Ukrainian software developer. Russian government-controlled television stations met with and made payments to Mr. Flynn, among others. Hackers used the same techniques to attack the World Anti-Doping Agency on behalf of Mr. Putin's nationalist project of doping by athletes. This summer, the same techniques were used to once again attack the leader whom Putin fears more than any other, Secretary Clinton.
2
Tha ability to block hacking by dangerous intruders would be similar to attempting to stop bank robberies. Impossible. Unfortunately much of our infrastructure is controlled digitally. Backup systems can become our savior against hacking.
3
I hope this will finally rid the world of the offensive Seth Rich conspiracy theory.
8
Great, now that is just in time for Putys thugs to set him up for an accidental fall, down the center of a 19 floor stairwell.
3
Some commenters here suggest this is fake news. Others suggest it is a smoking gun. I say -- and I am a fervent anti-Trump liberal -- everyone should be cautious about this kind of evidence popping up. Neither acceptance nor rejection is called for at the moment. Maube later. In the meantime: Caution.
12
When you look at hackers, you have to remember that there are some very very good hackers and some bad hackers. The same is true on non-hackers. So I don't think you can just blame the hackers you also have to blame the non-hackers who go and use their computers without a permit.
2
Smells like a cover story to me. I suspect we are much closer to their trail than indicated here.
5
TRUMP and his Thugocracy will have much to answer for due to their allegedly improper contact with hackers in Russia and Ukrania during the 2016 presidential election. Trump's braggadocio was uncontained when he said that if he did not win the election is was because the system was rigged. What he really meant was that he was going to win the election because he and his Thugocracy had arranged to have the US election process rigged. The wrongdoing in this case will, I am fairly sure, drawf Watergate.
6
I wouldn't believe a Ukrainian expert. It would be like believing the Kuwaiti Ambassador's daughter who lied and pretended she saw Iraqi soldiers throwing babies out of incubators. She didn't and they didn't.
10
Apparently the source of most of the information in this article is security services from Ukraine which because of the conflict with Russia will be happy to manufacture any "evidence" against it. The Times pretty much admits that there is no evidence linking Russian state to the DNC leaks but then goes on into endless speculations about how it COULD be linked. If it is called "Fancy Bear" it must have been run by Russian intelligence services. It's like saying that a hacker group called "Captain America" is automatically run by the CIA. The whole idea that Russian hackers could have successfully hacked the most technologically advanced nation with all its 3-letter agencies and trillion dollars security budges is so far-fetched that you one would have to be completely blinded by propaganda to consider it.
8
Take a very close look at voting machines in places where Trump was not supposed to win. If they can hack the DNC, they surely can hack our voting system, most of which has no backup paper record. Also, someone commented that the coder should be brought here for safety. Really? I think he's far safer overseas than hiding under the Trump administration.
5
The part of Ohio where I reside threw out their electronic voting machines that were installed for the 2004 election and replaced with manually coded ballots that are fed through a scanner. This was done at considerable expense.
1
What should concern you is the software that is used in each machine. The software should have been checked right after the election when there were irregularities found. A few machines having nefarious coded software would have been all it would take to swing the election under the electoral college system.
1
Good Job, FBI! Please do not let Jeffrey Sessions and his boss, The Con Don, interfere with your work. Every single American - inside and outside government - has a moral obligation to stand up to this corrupt regime that is trying to destroy democracy and civility in The United States of America.
NOW is the time to take action to stop them any way we can. WE THE PEOPLE are the only ones who can/will.
NOW is the time to take action to stop them any way we can. WE THE PEOPLE are the only ones who can/will.
8
Even if it is proven that the election result was achieved by overseas hacking, in the end, only Trump can bring down Trump. Thankfully, he is doing a good job of it all by himself.
46
I don't care what bad people do anymore on the computer. The only way to fix it is to get rid of the computer . . . or the people. We have to choose one or the other.
5
Russia has been outsourcing their hacking for over 30 years.
For example, the very first hacker ever was from west Germany operating with financing from the KGB in 1980!!!
What did he hack?
The Internet of course. He got in through a portal at UC Berkeley that was connected to NORAD and other military installations. He was caught and traced and arrested.
For example, the very first hacker ever was from west Germany operating with financing from the KGB in 1980!!!
What did he hack?
The Internet of course. He got in through a portal at UC Berkeley that was connected to NORAD and other military installations. He was caught and traced and arrested.
13
Profexer is correct to fear for his life. Afterall, Vladimir Putin has many ways of permanently silencing any witnesses to his criminal activities.
Just ask Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by Putin's FSB.
Just ask Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by Putin's FSB.
82
Trump will ask him to produce Hillary's 33,000 emails and that will become the headline
14
as a liberal, I say
would you trust anyone who would voluntarily rent space in such a hideous building ?
ntm, that awful bark mulch everywhere in stead of real landscaping
bet they use illegal immigrant gardeners to top it off - has anyone checked ?
would you trust anyone who would voluntarily rent space in such a hideous building ?
ntm, that awful bark mulch everywhere in stead of real landscaping
bet they use illegal immigrant gardeners to top it off - has anyone checked ?
3
Terrific detail, necessary to convince doubting Thomas that CIA, NSA and FBI got it right when they nailed Russia as the sponsor/beneficiary of the DNC hacks.
I hope FBI figures a way to keep this dark software maker away from polonium infused tea. Talking to the feds is his best insurance policy because his death would confirm Russian interference in the 2016 elections, something Moscow has assiduously denied
I hope FBI figures a way to keep this dark software maker away from polonium infused tea. Talking to the feds is his best insurance policy because his death would confirm Russian interference in the 2016 elections, something Moscow has assiduously denied
187
What DNC hacks?
1
More 'allegations' and 'assertions' -- where is the hard evidence that the Russians hacked the DNC computers.
For that matter, where is the NSA, CIA or FBI refutation of the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) technical analysis where reputable ex-CIA and ex-NSA technical experts conclusively show that the data from the DNC computers could not have been hacked and that the data was downloaded on to a memory device and therefore was leaked. Google antiwar,om for the entire analysis.
For that matter, where is the NSA, CIA or FBI refutation of the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) technical analysis where reputable ex-CIA and ex-NSA technical experts conclusively show that the data from the DNC computers could not have been hacked and that the data was downloaded on to a memory device and therefore was leaked. Google antiwar,om for the entire analysis.
1
As a senior computer systems analyst, St. Petersburg and elsewhere in Russia have been centers of malware and viruses. For decades, this cottage industry has been functioning in the shadows with free reign from the Kremlin.
We computer professionals are not surprised by this development.
Getting a witness is remarkable and extremely rare.
We computer professionals are not surprised by this development.
Getting a witness is remarkable and extremely rare.
108
Seems that Trump has destroyed whatever order there had been in our government and in international relations.
6
JoeJohn –
yes, with Bannon's guidance, while Putin says "mission accomplished!"
yes, with Bannon's guidance, while Putin says "mission accomplished!"
I didn't see a place to comment on Gardiner Harris' article on the International Religious Freedom 2016, so I'll comment here.
Harris is like Billy Pilgrim, he is unstuck in time. He criticizes a report on 2016 religious freedom for not mentioning the Trump Administration's measures and executive orders. As far as I can recall, Barack Obama was the president in 2016, not Donald Trump. Mr. Harris, please make a note of it.
Harris is like Billy Pilgrim, he is unstuck in time. He criticizes a report on 2016 religious freedom for not mentioning the Trump Administration's measures and executive orders. As far as I can recall, Barack Obama was the president in 2016, not Donald Trump. Mr. Harris, please make a note of it.
3
Computers - we're all living better lives because on them.
1
Well, we're living different kinds of lives, that's for sure.
11
Interesting, nyt must have a new group of subscribers who are presenting the alternate viewpoint. Most of the current posts--26--dismiss the info in this article . In fact one person who claims he is a liberal, and really what is that?--says he now gets his news from YouTube.
Whatever. Go for it.
Anyway it's a good thing to read alternative views.
I say be patient, what's the hurry?
Trump is trump is trump. He gives evidence every day who he is. As transparent as can be.
No use trying to change him or his perspective. Time to move on from that fantasy.
Follow the money and the truth in the end will prevail.
What gets unearthed will likely be a big surprise, something to do with how the president operated in the past, pre-election. If not why so much resistance?
Won't matter if it's about the election or not. Everyone has skeletons in the closet . He's not an exception.
Whatever. Go for it.
Anyway it's a good thing to read alternative views.
I say be patient, what's the hurry?
Trump is trump is trump. He gives evidence every day who he is. As transparent as can be.
No use trying to change him or his perspective. Time to move on from that fantasy.
Follow the money and the truth in the end will prevail.
What gets unearthed will likely be a big surprise, something to do with how the president operated in the past, pre-election. If not why so much resistance?
Won't matter if it's about the election or not. Everyone has skeletons in the closet . He's not an exception.
23
I know right? How could the NYT ever allow an alternate viewpoint?
1
So let me see if I have the correct;
1. This Ukranian hacker cracks the DNC, he throws our election into turmoil.
2. Then the secret Ukranian factories sell advanced rocket motors to North Korea
3. June 2014 until 2016 polls showed that about 50% of those asked supported Ukrainian NATO membership.[17][18][19][20] Some 69 percent of Ukrainians want to join NATO, according to a June 2017 poll by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, compared to 28 percent support in 2012 when Yanukovich was in power.[21] Wikipedia
Funny, I wouldn't think NATO would be real interested in the Ukraine.
1. This Ukranian hacker cracks the DNC, he throws our election into turmoil.
2. Then the secret Ukranian factories sell advanced rocket motors to North Korea
3. June 2014 until 2016 polls showed that about 50% of those asked supported Ukrainian NATO membership.[17][18][19][20] Some 69 percent of Ukrainians want to join NATO, according to a June 2017 poll by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, compared to 28 percent support in 2012 when Yanukovich was in power.[21] Wikipedia
Funny, I wouldn't think NATO would be real interested in the Ukraine.
9
Russia must be real scared of the recent news that the US might start providing weapons to Ukraine, that's why you guys pay for these propganda pieces, cause you know the Ukrainians will bleed you on the battlefield if it goes through.
3
Tony, you like a lot of Westerners seem to forget that the majority of people fighting in Eastern Ukraine are Eastern Ukrainians. As inconvenient as it is for you to accept this, but:
- simply because the current leadership of Ukraine hates Russians, doesn't mean they are angels. It's just one corrupt government was replaced by another. Things are worse there, not better.
- there is a genuine desire on the part of Eastern Ukrainians for independence. This has to do with the fact that the presidents they vote for and the elections they win get replaced in a coup or nullified by Western Ukrainians. Why would they want to be part of a country where they have no say and no rights?
So if you provide Petroshenko with offensive weapons the only result you'll have is Ukrainians killing Ukrainians (or have you missed or forgotten the fact that at the beginning of the war Petroshenko was only too happy to use his airforce to bomb the separatist cities). This is something you have to realize. There is a genuine desire among the people of Donetsk and Lughansk to get away from Kiev. The only thing you're advocating is that millions of people have to be kicked out from their lands or murdered by their government.
- simply because the current leadership of Ukraine hates Russians, doesn't mean they are angels. It's just one corrupt government was replaced by another. Things are worse there, not better.
- there is a genuine desire on the part of Eastern Ukrainians for independence. This has to do with the fact that the presidents they vote for and the elections they win get replaced in a coup or nullified by Western Ukrainians. Why would they want to be part of a country where they have no say and no rights?
So if you provide Petroshenko with offensive weapons the only result you'll have is Ukrainians killing Ukrainians (or have you missed or forgotten the fact that at the beginning of the war Petroshenko was only too happy to use his airforce to bomb the separatist cities). This is something you have to realize. There is a genuine desire among the people of Donetsk and Lughansk to get away from Kiev. The only thing you're advocating is that millions of people have to be kicked out from their lands or murdered by their government.
3
Location, location, location.
Malware expert in Ukraine .......the new Curveball?
2
Too subtle for the cheering section here.
1
@Yaj
Well aren't you just the clever one.
Well aren't you just the clever one.
I don't recall this information being covered in the NYT?
"A group of former US intelligence officials contend that the hack of the Democratic National Committee’s computers in 2016 was an inside job.
The group, which calls itself the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, or VIPS, said there was an insider leak that occurred thanks to someone with access to a DNC computer."
http://nypost.com/2017/08/15/new-report-claims-dnc-hack-was-an-inside-jo...
"A group of former US intelligence officials contend that the hack of the Democratic National Committee’s computers in 2016 was an inside job.
The group, which calls itself the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, or VIPS, said there was an insider leak that occurred thanks to someone with access to a DNC computer."
http://nypost.com/2017/08/15/new-report-claims-dnc-hack-was-an-inside-jo...
21
Because their conclusions are bogus. There's a lot of information on the Internet about it if you care to pursue it
5
The author of that piece is a Putin apologist. Additionally there is no supporting documentation; it is not credible on any level.
2
I guess this means we're getting closer to proving that trump wasn't legally elected after all. But trump has known that all along. He thought the jig was up when the intelligence agencies discovered the Russian hackers, hence his surprise at winning. But what will we do, now that we know he's not really the president? Install Clinton as the popular vote winner?
25
I wish. We'd have a sane, good-hearted, well-qualified President and Congress could get back to Business As Usual, namely threatening to repeal Obamacare and holding Benghazi hearings.
Life would, in short, be boring. I miss boring. I miss waking up in the morning not hearing about Nazis and hellfire.
Life would, in short, be boring. I miss boring. I miss waking up in the morning not hearing about Nazis and hellfire.
2
I find it interesting that none of the hacked emails ever came from Hillary Clinton's server, I suspect that indicates it was safer than some would have us believe. The pertinent question is who approved of Russia's hacking and being involved in the election. Wasn't it Mr. Trump who was asking for them to get and release more emails? Wasn't it his campaign that advertised that releases were coming?
The tougher question is were any of the voter roles, or votes manipulated to give Mr. Trump a victory. It would not take a whole state, just a few votes here and there to manipulate the outcome for an electoral college victory. Did that happen, would the public be told if that happened? Was Mr. Trump duly elected?
The tougher question is were any of the voter roles, or votes manipulated to give Mr. Trump a victory. It would not take a whole state, just a few votes here and there to manipulate the outcome for an electoral college victory. Did that happen, would the public be told if that happened? Was Mr. Trump duly elected?
350
if Trump won legitimately, that is bad because it shows a lot of Americans can have the wool pulled over their eyes quite willingly if you play to their dark fears amd prejudices.
if Trump won through secret meddling in our election process, by Russia, Israel, or by anyone else, that is bad because it shows our democracy is gone and what is left is just an illusion.
and either way, we're stuck with Trump, which is going from bad to worse, hourly.
25 45
if Trump won through secret meddling in our election process, by Russia, Israel, or by anyone else, that is bad because it shows our democracy is gone and what is left is just an illusion.
and either way, we're stuck with Trump, which is going from bad to worse, hourly.
25 45
2
Whether or not the election results were manipulated in critical states, it is time to get rid of the Electoral College. When a minority of American voters elects the President, there is always a taste of illegitimacy.
3
The State Department was badly hacked by likely Putin hackers ironically HRC's insecure mail server might have prevented her data being compromised. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/new-details-emerg...
2
Assuming the nomenclature is from our agencies, what about Advanced Persistent Threats 1->27 and 29 -> who knows? Now I am scared.
1
A government email account may not be the *least* secure option out there, but it must be getting down there, judging from the numerous hacks. If HRC had any security on her server at all, it probably was just as good/bad as anything else....and fewer people knew about it.
The article is pretty much an admission that Russian complicity has NOT been established. Now, relying on some shadowy, dark web figure, the Democrats and their loyal media partners claim to have found the smoking gun?
22
Who has claimed that? The article is measured in laying out what is known and what isn 't.
20
The problem here is that the NYT again is publishing unverifiable information that purports to prove: 1) the DNC was a hack rather than a leak, and 2) using Ukrainians to validate its claims, when we know that Ukraine has a strong motivation to link the DNC business to Russia. And, it seems that the Mueller people or the FBI are leaking. Not a good sign. Let's revisit our postings when the story is finally over and pin the tail on the donkeys who got it all wrong.
5
Is it curious to anyone else how every illicit and/or unsavory act recently uncovered in and/or having a connection to kiev-ukraine, that is done against the EU, other Western European and Baltic nations, as well as the U.S. and of course Ukraine itself, always seems to boomerang back to parties in Ukraine, usually ethnic Ukrainians? Search back and check it out for yourselves. You'll find it virtually %100 percent.
4
Hope this guy is in a very secure location.
204
There is no evidence indicating Russia was associated with the leak of John Podesta's emails. Leaked emails are not a "hacked election". That leak was one of the smaller reasons HRC lost the election. These emails revealed a major party threw a close primary while pretending impartiality. That is important news which America needs to improve itself. Even HRC supporters understand this.
The establishment media has not simply been silent on these facts, it has produced (as this article exemplifies) endless misinformation and misdirection that creates and sustains the false narratives currently poisoning the American body politic.
As a senior citizen it is surreal for me to see the NYTimes, WPost and TV networks bury what is important with what is not. Trump's repugnance is no excuse for this. Maybe this establishment misdirection is sincere, -an accidental conspiracy by the out of touch. I'm baffled.
No doubt technological changes have thrust traditional media on to new terrain. But future historians will recognize these outlets were lost by their own decisions to change their mission.
The internet has infinite personalized reality bubbles which makes it hard to discern what is true and important online. But online is also where one finds the smartest, most informed and impartial reporting -largely coming from those fired by the establishment in recent decades. The Times ought to worry when liberal old farts like me turn to YouTube & websites to be properly informed.
The establishment media has not simply been silent on these facts, it has produced (as this article exemplifies) endless misinformation and misdirection that creates and sustains the false narratives currently poisoning the American body politic.
As a senior citizen it is surreal for me to see the NYTimes, WPost and TV networks bury what is important with what is not. Trump's repugnance is no excuse for this. Maybe this establishment misdirection is sincere, -an accidental conspiracy by the out of touch. I'm baffled.
No doubt technological changes have thrust traditional media on to new terrain. But future historians will recognize these outlets were lost by their own decisions to change their mission.
The internet has infinite personalized reality bubbles which makes it hard to discern what is true and important online. But online is also where one finds the smartest, most informed and impartial reporting -largely coming from those fired by the establishment in recent decades. The Times ought to worry when liberal old farts like me turn to YouTube & websites to be properly informed.
46
Do you think the national intelligence community is in on the conspiracy, too? Because they're the main source of the claim that the Podesta email attack came from Russian intelligence agencies.
59
Yes.
3
Yes I do. I realize this makes me look nutty to you, but what I've seen online was that the most respected intelligence group told Obama before he left office there was no evidence of any Russian involvement here and that report got buried until last week. Also, I agree with the observation that it is difficult to imagine any motivation for withholding credible evidence if it did exist. Also the type of "3rd party anonymous source" reporting driving this story was never allowed by the Times/Post/networks until recent decades and such sourcing has been thoroughly discredited in the recent decades -Swift boating and WMD as examples. To me, this story is like the Clinton Benghazi echo chamber -a politically motivated witch hunt. Never mind what I think of Trump this is not got for a Democracy. Finally the "intelligence community" that is driving this only one agency -the CIA. The CIA is committed to a muscular foreign policy stance (Syria at the moment) and the unpredictability of Trump threatens this CIA core mission. This is why the CIA openly supported HRC in the election. The CIA has demonstrated it has no issue with subverting Democracy / the will of the people. So I see them driving their own agenda like they have before (WMD). Again I realize these remarks make you think I'm a nut, but I think its a sober reading of the available info if you take the time to look for it and think about peoples motivations and what is actually known. Thanks for the reply.
7
The previous comment post by @Servus is the only one posted here so far, that has any basis in reality. If ANDREW E. KRAMER and ANDREW HIGGINS had any understanding of Info-Tech and how it works, they'd know that if anything, this guy points to the hackers being of Ukrainian origin, more so than any other. Everyday hackers do what they do for quick cash, so it's not likely this guy would have had access to heavy hitters like Russian cyber-ops folks. How, in the current kiev-ukrainian environment, would such a guy be able to contact and do illicit business with RF covert entities and not be detected by the vaunted SBU? Some nondiscript dude, living alone in an obscure apartment, somewhere in Ukraine being a "smoking gun link" to Russian cyber-ops folks? Come on NYTimes, ANDREW E. KRAMER and ANDREW HIGGINS. You guys can do better than that!!!
10
The Nation & Salon have already made this whole line of thought meaningless.
The info released by Wikileaks was not from a Russian hack. Could Russia have hacked the DNC? Sure. But it has nothing to do with who won the election
From leftist magazine Salon
http://www.salon.com/2017/08/15/what-if-the-dnc-russian-hack-was-really-...
The Nation
https://www.thenation.com/article/a-new-report-raises-big-questions-abou...
The info released by Wikileaks was not from a Russian hack. Could Russia have hacked the DNC? Sure. But it has nothing to do with who won the election
From leftist magazine Salon
http://www.salon.com/2017/08/15/what-if-the-dnc-russian-hack-was-really-...
The Nation
https://www.thenation.com/article/a-new-report-raises-big-questions-abou...
20
The odd thing about both the articles you cite is they both rely on "former experts".
Just how "former" are they?
Don't forget that soon after Trump took office the CURRENT intelligence agencies said there was evidence of the Russians aiding the hacking.
I suppose the alt-right canned response is that they were all hold-overs from Obama.
Just how "former" are they?
Don't forget that soon after Trump took office the CURRENT intelligence agencies said there was evidence of the Russians aiding the hacking.
I suppose the alt-right canned response is that they were all hold-overs from Obama.
9
Misinformation &propaganda are the tools used most effectively by the Russians, actual 'fake news' shared over and over on rightwing 'news' sources, and facebook pages. This is how they altered our election & no story from either Salon or The Nation has anything to invalidate this.
38
Why can't you just admit that we don't yet know and must wait for more info, as this careful reporter shows?
7
The only "hacking" ( if this is what you call it) so far is the DNC server getting broken into. This happened because the DNC would not allow the FBI to help protect its server when asked. They deserve the blame but then again we now know the Democratic party makes fun of all people like they accuse their Republican counterparts of doing. Truly disgusting is the Liberal Democratic party. They got hat they deserved. Trump is winning.
13
"Trump is winning"!
LOL!
You should be a writer for The Onion!
LOL!
You should be a writer for The Onion!
49
What are the oxygen levels like in your alt-reality bubble?
23
The guy lived in Ukraine, his malware was used in The hack, we don't know who is the guy, what exactly he is saying, but this is "clear sign" of Russian involvement? Seems to me WMD all over again.
13
I'm sad to point out that Trump followed by "learns" is fake news.
8
"The server hard drives of Ukraine’s Central Election Commission were targeted by a cyberattack."
So why should we believe that our voters rolls were not targeted or aren't currently being targeted? Republicans have been stripping blacks off the polls since Obama was elected, why would they reject help from Russians in stripping even more voters?
Our elections are compromised on every level and the GOP benefits from it, and that's why they do nothing. I would not be surprised to find out the Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have a few rubles in campaign donations, too. They are all guilty and that is why they are afraid of the lunatic in the Oval Office. Collective guilt is the ONLY explanation for why they are letting this maniac insult them and ruin their precious party. I can't think of any other reason. Trump has likely made it very clear to each and every Republican on Capitol Hill: If I go down, I am taking the rest of you with me. Believe me."
So why should we believe that our voters rolls were not targeted or aren't currently being targeted? Republicans have been stripping blacks off the polls since Obama was elected, why would they reject help from Russians in stripping even more voters?
Our elections are compromised on every level and the GOP benefits from it, and that's why they do nothing. I would not be surprised to find out the Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have a few rubles in campaign donations, too. They are all guilty and that is why they are afraid of the lunatic in the Oval Office. Collective guilt is the ONLY explanation for why they are letting this maniac insult them and ruin their precious party. I can't think of any other reason. Trump has likely made it very clear to each and every Republican on Capitol Hill: If I go down, I am taking the rest of you with me. Believe me."
202
Well, the big reason is their Pro-rich, Pro-corporate, anti-tax, anti-government, anti-regulation agenda.
They have been willing to put up with Trump because they, unwisely it turns out, figured their bargain with devil was worth it to get their agenda through!
They have been willing to put up with Trump because they, unwisely it turns out, figured their bargain with devil was worth it to get their agenda through!
12
Kat, voter rolls, targeted or not, do not mean a citizen cannot vote. A state with voter laws like Ohio permit a voter to vote a Provisional Ballot if you are not in the official "Poll Book"when you come in to vote. And surely if a voter came in to vote after living in the same place for a few years and found their name missing, they would report it to the Election Board and perhaps their local media, right? I don't believe any of this targeted voter rolls malarkey.
1
nice article. how many trump supporters will now see this emerging truth as fake news?
my guess? all of them.
my guess? all of them.
86
If you ask me, this story walks collusion with Russia right to the front door of Paul Manafort.
138
The authors state that "there is no evidence that Profexer worked, at least knowingly, for Russia’s intelligence services, but his malware apparently did." "Apparently" is a word journalist use when there's no evidence that something did, in fact, occurred.
The U.S. Intelligence Community has never asserted as established fact that Russia hacked DNC email. In its report (Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Election), the Intelligence Community stated it had “high confidence” in its judgment that Russia launched cyberattacks and a propaganda campaign to influence the U.S. 2016 election. However, in Annex B (Estimative Language) of its report, the Intelligence Community report explains that “high confidence in a judgment does not imply that the assessment is a fact or a certainty, such judgements might be wrong.”
Not even the intelligence community know for sure that Russia hacked the DNC email and gave it to WikiLeaks. The Intelligence Community Assessment states that “We assess that the GRU operations resulted in the compromise of the personal e-mail accounts of Democratic Party officials and political figures.” An assessment is a judgment; it’s not proof.
The U.S. Intelligence Community has never asserted as established fact that Russia hacked DNC email. In its report (Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Election), the Intelligence Community stated it had “high confidence” in its judgment that Russia launched cyberattacks and a propaganda campaign to influence the U.S. 2016 election. However, in Annex B (Estimative Language) of its report, the Intelligence Community report explains that “high confidence in a judgment does not imply that the assessment is a fact or a certainty, such judgements might be wrong.”
Not even the intelligence community know for sure that Russia hacked the DNC email and gave it to WikiLeaks. The Intelligence Community Assessment states that “We assess that the GRU operations resulted in the compromise of the personal e-mail accounts of Democratic Party officials and political figures.” An assessment is a judgment; it’s not proof.
12
There are many things that we can not be sure about, and undoubtedly this could be one of them. But the right wing mainstream media (Sinclair and Fox are the only voices to be heard over wide swaths of this country) continue to flatly deny that any of this happened, a much more dubious proposition. Yours is simply a more educated and nuanced propaganda piece in their support.
59
You're confused about what it is to judge something or to assert it.
To state that you judge that something is the case is just to assert that it is the case. To acknowledge that your assertions or judgments may be false, even if you accord them a high credence, is just to admit that anything you judge or state about a difficult topic is fallible.
To state that you judge that something is the case is just to assert that it is the case. To acknowledge that your assertions or judgments may be false, even if you accord them a high credence, is just to admit that anything you judge or state about a difficult topic is fallible.
4
And yet the most powerful man in the world at the time Obama, with the knowledge given to him by the intelligence community, did nothing to stop this hacking?
And why did the DNC refused to turn over the servers to the FBI?
Why did Debbie Wasserman Schultz threaten D.C. Police Chief, in committee session, that there would be "consequences" for not returning a laptop which is part of an investigation?
And why did the DNC refused to turn over the servers to the FBI?
Why did Debbie Wasserman Schultz threaten D.C. Police Chief, in committee session, that there would be "consequences" for not returning a laptop which is part of an investigation?
7
This is very shaky. Ukrianian hate Russians. A Ukrainian firm audited the DNC server, not the FBI) and said that the Russians had been at fault. How do we know that this Ukrainian guy had not been paid to frame the Russians?
28
Great question, but don't expect much of a follow up from the NYT.
10
CrowdStrike, the security firm, was founded by an American and located Involved CA.
5
Ukrainians do not hate Russians. Nationalist Ukrainians hate Russians. Many Russians are loyal to the USSR's successor, Russia. Also note that the Ukrainian Crimea is now occupied by Russia. These comments represent America at its worst, painting areas of gray as black and white with the typical American ignorance of foreign affairs.
2
The FBI needs to get this person to the US fast and keep him safe
405
Yeah, so they can do more hacking on behalf of the people who want to learn the truth about these politicians/liars.
1
I'm not sure that U.S. custody under the Trump administration would be a safe place for him.
2
AND HOW
The Russians will dispose of him very quickly. Poison or terrible accident.
The Russians will dispose of him very quickly. Poison or terrible accident.
We need more people to hack in this fashion. That way, we learn the ugly truths in the closets of all the politicians/liars running for office. The more info, the better. More hackers, please! Please, more hacking for future elections! Just don't hack voting machines. Hack politicians'/liars' emails, etc. Thanks!
10
How about they hack your credit card and bank account numbers, too?
7
No thanks. Just the dirt on politicians will be enough. Not their credit cards and bank info. Nor mine.
2
but that will be different fashion. it will be for personal gain, not to reveal truth about political machine
Cue the Jaws theme...
2
Great journalism which I assume springs from patriotic civil servants. Keep going.
151
How about we have the experts at the CIA, NSA, and FBI do an actual forensic analysis of the hacked DNC servers? Oh yeah, the DNC won't let them. It MUST be the Russians
17
Except your claim is false. At the direction of the DNC, CrowdStrike provided the FBI with a mirror image of the hacked hard drive last year. But maybe you had the impression digital media can’t be copied?
3
I've heard repeatedly that fake news stories attacking Hillary Clinton appeared in the emails and/or social media news feeds of undecided voters in critical, highly focused, districts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. They are supposedly of Russian origin but their placement correlates with the geographical targets of the Trump campaign. Does anyone know if this is the subject of any of the current investigations?
200
I can't say if it is being investigated but, I speculate if there is a nexus for Putin and Cambridge Analytical, Mercer, Brad Parscale. Why? micro targeting needs expertise from a US political person to guide the efforts. Did this work Yes and no WI, MI black turnout by 12% PA not so much.
2
“Investigators at the House and Senate Intelligence committees and the Justice Department are examining whether the Trump campaign’s digital operation – overseen by Jared Kushner – helped guide Russia’s sophisticated voter targeting and fake news attacks on Hillary Clinton in 2016.
“Congressional and Justice Department investigators are focusing on whether Trump’s campaign pointed Russian cyber operatives to certain voting jurisdictions in key states – areas where Trump’s digital team and Republican operatives were spotting unexpected weakness in voter support for Hillary Clinton, according to several people familiar with the parallel inquiries.
“Also under scrutiny is the question of whether Trump associates or campaign aides had any role in assisting the Russians in publicly releasing thousands of emails, hacked from the accounts of top Democrats, at turning points in the presidential race, mainly through the London-based transparency web site WikiLeaks.”
—Trump-Russia investigators probe Jared Kushner-run digital operation. 6/12/17
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article160803619.html
“Congressional and Justice Department investigators are focusing on whether Trump’s campaign pointed Russian cyber operatives to certain voting jurisdictions in key states – areas where Trump’s digital team and Republican operatives were spotting unexpected weakness in voter support for Hillary Clinton, according to several people familiar with the parallel inquiries.
“Also under scrutiny is the question of whether Trump associates or campaign aides had any role in assisting the Russians in publicly releasing thousands of emails, hacked from the accounts of top Democrats, at turning points in the presidential race, mainly through the London-based transparency web site WikiLeaks.”
—Trump-Russia investigators probe Jared Kushner-run digital operation. 6/12/17
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article160803619.html
1
The Guardian had an article about Cambridge Analytical,, the Mercers -- father & daughter as well as Jared Kushner's involvement.
I want to say it was about 6 or 7 / 8 weeks ago -- the link is buried amongst the many texts to & from a circle of friends -- so sorry I couldn't provide it -- need to stop reading the comments & get back to work.
Hope that helps -- it was the first I had read about the targeted data mining and Kushner's role in that facet of Trump's campaign.
I want to say it was about 6 or 7 / 8 weeks ago -- the link is buried amongst the many texts to & from a circle of friends -- so sorry I couldn't provide it -- need to stop reading the comments & get back to work.
Hope that helps -- it was the first I had read about the targeted data mining and Kushner's role in that facet of Trump's campaign.
1
How long before the Trump administration declares this 'fake news'?
35
Is this the "fat man sitting on his bed?" I'd like to know is weight and if he runs his computer while in bed.
6
Oh, cool! So, is the DNC finally going to allow the FBI and NSA to look at the supposedly hacked servers, then?
Pfff, of course not. The fact that the mainstream media doesn't bother to bring up the fact that the DNC denied reasonable requests from relevant government agencies to scan and study the hacked servers is telling....
Pfff, of course not. The fact that the mainstream media doesn't bother to bring up the fact that the DNC denied reasonable requests from relevant government agencies to scan and study the hacked servers is telling....
26
They already did. That's not the problem, but then maybe you only get "fake news" in G.B., can you name your sources? A Murdoch publication is not a reliable source, nor is Breitbart.
6
“...is telling…”
It’s telling a lie, unless you believe there’s no such thing as the mirror image of a hard drive—the DNC hard drive—with which CrowdStrike certainly provided the FBI.
It’s telling a lie, unless you believe there’s no such thing as the mirror image of a hard drive—the DNC hard drive—with which CrowdStrike certainly provided the FBI.
Please provide a citation for your assertion.
The Nation - the country's oldest progressive news weekly, says that:
A New Report Raises Big Questions About Last Year’s DNC Hack
Former NSA experts say it wasn’t a hack at all, but a leak—an inside job by someone with access to the DNC’s system.
The article provides overwhelming technical evidence as well as expert analysis that this was NOT a "Russian hack" conducted over the internet but a data dump saved to a USB drive.
https://www.thenation.com/article/a-new-report-raises-big-questions-abou...
A New Report Raises Big Questions About Last Year’s DNC Hack
Former NSA experts say it wasn’t a hack at all, but a leak—an inside job by someone with access to the DNC’s system.
The article provides overwhelming technical evidence as well as expert analysis that this was NOT a "Russian hack" conducted over the internet but a data dump saved to a USB drive.
https://www.thenation.com/article/a-new-report-raises-big-questions-abou...
15
Besides the serious technical flaws and mistakes in that article that many others have noted, its author Patrick Lawrence make me doubt it even further. Under the name Patrick L. Smith, he wrote a dozen or so articles for Salon last year and the year before. He is a committed and ardent Putin apologist, defender, and admirer. Highly critical of the West, his articles always, always were extremely flattering of Putin, not one single word of criticism for Russian actions in Ukraine, the seizure of Crimea, the downing of an airliner. I consider him completely a Putin propagandist, so forgive me if I find this new article dubious.
23
Boy I wish someone could provide overwhelming evidence for just about anything right now and settle this. The article you cite does not provide overwhelming evidence at all unfortunately. The technical basis of that analysis has been challenged by quite knowledgeable people. Specifically and in short, the timestamp information the analysis is based on is just as easily faked as anything else. There is no way of knowing if it signifies the original dump from the DNC or a subsequent transfer of that information .
6
The Nation has jumped the shark with this one. I'm shocked that they published it. Essentially it's a bunch of unsubstantiated claims, written by a an apologist for Vladimir Putin.
And, lest we forget, Russia and Putin have apologists on the Left, for example Jill Stein of the Green Party.
Consider the source.
And, lest we forget, Russia and Putin have apologists on the Left, for example Jill Stein of the Green Party.
Consider the source.
1
If you believe this, you'll believe anything.
20
Don't quote the President without attribution.
8
Daedalus
What flavor of KoolAid is the Trump administration/campaign serving today?
What flavor of KoolAid is the Trump administration/campaign serving today?
11
Smell that? It's the dripping saliva of hungry Federal Prosecutors. Nearly time to cut the leashes. Thank you Federal investigation professionals.
8
To quote our President:
"Sometimes your best investments are the ones you don't make."
"Sometimes your best investments are the ones you don't make."
2
A cyber security expert observing the attacks and Dark Web can only see a part of the covert operations, the important links between first or second link in the chain in payments and orders are hidden from him.
One should not expect answers to questions outside cyber experts visibility.
FSB/GRU runs operations, like the St Petersburg center for internet disinformation and diversion, by private people ("Putin's cook" Mr Prigozhin) , oligarchs with Kremlin connections.
The DNC attack costed, involved several people working for months, somebody had to pay them including tools the developers. Difficult to imagine it was just an effort by some private people.
"Follow the money !" - but don't expect that internet cyber security experts has a capability of doing it.
One should not expect answers to questions outside cyber experts visibility.
FSB/GRU runs operations, like the St Petersburg center for internet disinformation and diversion, by private people ("Putin's cook" Mr Prigozhin) , oligarchs with Kremlin connections.
The DNC attack costed, involved several people working for months, somebody had to pay them including tools the developers. Difficult to imagine it was just an effort by some private people.
"Follow the money !" - but don't expect that internet cyber security experts has a capability of doing it.
59
Some who claim Putin was framed by NSA offer up all the ways NSA could fake this seem to miss a point Why does Putin care if he's caught? It likely helps him at home from a PR perspective.
Look for more distractions from the Trump "administration" in the wake of this development.
225
Yes, Ms. Goddess, does anyone believe for one second that The Con Don's "organization" didn't engineer the Charlotte, Virginia unite-the-right demonstration to divert attention from their destruction of democracy, rush to war, the Russia and criminal investigations and destruction of OUR lives? Now they have outright murder on their already unbelievably dirty hands.
WE THE PEOPLE must continue to step up, act out and physically resist these crooks and haters. This must not stand in America. Not now. Not ever.
WE THE PEOPLE must continue to step up, act out and physically resist these crooks and haters. This must not stand in America. Not now. Not ever.
3
^^ exactly, njglea
it's the timing
..as we await more word on Trump Models and Hotels, and other illicit collusions
it's the timing
..as we await more word on Trump Models and Hotels, and other illicit collusions
Will this be the smoking gun that brings down this president and restores peace of mind to our nation's citizens?
98
How? It doesn't provide any evidence Russia hacked the DNC emails?
Unfortunately, no; at best (which is to say, actually, at WORST) it restores Pence of mind to our nation's citizens.
For Trump it must be frightening,
To feel the noose is tightening.
His dirty Russian connections,
Despite his lack of recollections,
Will see his complexion whitening.
To feel the noose is tightening.
His dirty Russian connections,
Despite his lack of recollections,
Will see his complexion whitening.
139
I think his complexion is getting red. Pun intended.
3