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If you want a candidate to win, use the most effective hacking tool available: social engineering. As a bonus, it's legal! It might sound flippant, but I w

If you want a candidate to win, use the most effective hacking tool available: social engineering. As a bonus, it's legal! It might sound flippant, but I wouldn't be too surprised if the masterful politicians (in the USA or abroad) wouldn't consider illegal hacking just because it's too risky. Better to use shady-yet-legal tactics to shift opinions. The whole "fake news" issue seems like it could be a very smart campaign in this regard.

JoeAltmaier 10y ago
I've wondered why the fake memes don't result in fines - they didn't identify who was responsible as all other political ads must do.
- matt_wulfeck 10y ago
  That and freedom of speech is a protected and valued right in our democracy. If fake memes are wrecking your country maybe it's not the memes that are the problem?
  - vehementi 10y ago
    All citizens of high quality countries naturally just grew protection from propaganda, PR and psychological tricks, which evolved effortlessly for mass media/communication that reaches 100M people instantly. If that shit works on your "country", you probably need to see what's wrong with you people.
    - kazga 10y ago
      > high quality countries Please define > protection from propaganda, PR and psychological tricks Yes, we here in Europe are blessed to represent the epitome of rational thought immune to all kinds of manipulation and fear-mongering. Alt-Right populism like the Front National, the Alternative für Deutschland and the UK Independence Party has no success here at all!
      - vehementi 10y ago
        Brexit But, it was a sarcastic post
abandonliberty 10y ago
Chris Rock at Defcon 24 demonstrates how you could use social engineering and hacking to overthrow a government - or manage an election result: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12528544 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12528544. Talk complete with a cameo of a military veteran/mercenary leader.

JoeAltmaier 10y ago

I've wondered why the fake memes don't result in fines - they didn't identify who was responsible as all other political ads must do.

matt_wulfeck 10y ago
That and freedom of speech is a protected and valued right in our democracy. If fake memes are wrecking your country maybe it's not the memes that are the problem?
- vehementi 10y ago
  All citizens of high quality countries naturally just grew protection from propaganda, PR and psychological tricks, which evolved effortlessly for mass media/communication that reaches 100M people instantly. If that shit works on your "country", you probably need to see what's wrong with you people.
  - kazga 10y ago
    > high quality countries Please define > protection from propaganda, PR and psychological tricks Yes, we here in Europe are blessed to represent the epitome of rational thought immune to all kinds of manipulation and fear-mongering. Alt-Right populism like the Front National, the Alternative für Deutschland and the UK Independence Party has no success here at all!
    - vehementi 10y ago
      Brexit But, it was a sarcastic post

abandonliberty 10y ago

Chris Rock at Defcon 24 demonstrates how you could use social engineering and hacking to overthrow a government - or manage an election result: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12528544 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12528544. Talk complete with a cameo of a military veteran/mercenary leader.