10,000 Computers Attack Online Canadian Election

Share article:

From The Gazette in Montreal

OTTAWA “” A large-scale cyber-attack involving more than 10,000 computers was responsible for the online polling problems during Saturday’s NDP leadership vote, according to Scytl Canada, the company contracted by the party to conduct the vote.

While the attack in no way compromised the sanctity of the vote “” in other words, no ballots cast by bona fide NDP members were added, subtracted or changed “” Scytl indicated in a statement Tuesday that the attack was an attempt to crash or slow down websites by “saturating servers with bogus external communications requests that deny legitimate users access” “” otherwise known as a distributed denial of service attack.

And we know the attack by 10,000 computers “in no way compromised the sanctity of the vote” how, exactly? Well, because they say so, silly!

We know Scytl’s elections are secure because, as we noted in January when the Spanish-based company purchased S.O.E., the largest “election management company” in the U.S. (they do online results reporting, etc.), they told us so in their own press release announcing the acquisition. And they told us twice! They couldn’t tell us they were secure unless they really were! Am I right, Sequoia Voting Systems?

Other than that — oh, and other than this — voting by Internet is a great idea! Am I right, Americans Elect and Michael Eisner?

The Gazette also goes on to note at the end of their coverage:

While voter turnout was low “” only about half the NDP’s 131,000 members voted in advance, online or from the convention floor “” officials have insisted it wasn’t related to the slowdown.

Oh, well, if officials insisted, then certainly they must be right about that.

"Democracy by Internet: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?" TM

* * *

The BRAD BLOG covers your electoral system, fiercely and independently, like no other media outlet in the nation. Please support our work with a donation to help us keep going.Please CLICK HERE to help support our work today!

Share article:

Reader Comments on

10,000 Computers Attack Online Canadian Election

3 Comments

(Comments are now closed.)


3 Responses

  1. 2)
    Lora said on 3/28/2012 @ 10:25am PT: [Permalink]

    Eeeaahhh….What’s up, Doc?

    And we know the attack by 10,000 computers “in no way compromised the sanctity of the vote” how, exactly? Well, because they say so, silly!

    Cwazy Wabbit…

  2. 3)
    sophia said on 3/28/2012 @ 9:24pm PT: [Permalink]

    @bob&doug mckenzie: eh!? That’s my soon-to-be-adopted COUNTRY, so back off on those moldy oldy stereotypes! Ya hear me? 🙂 yeah, I keep telling my hubby that there is a little bit o’trouble in Oz (I started calling him Dorothy when I met him 14 years ago in the Bay Area & he never locked my car doors!!) But he just keeps saying: it’s BETTER there. And I say: hell or handbasket? Choose! G’night all.

(Comments are now closed.)


Thanks to you, The BRAD BLOG has been trouble-making and muckraking for … 22 YEARS!!!

Please help The BRAD BLOG, BradCast and Green News Report remain independent and 100% reader and listener supported in our 23rd YEAR!!!

ONE TIME
any amount...

MONTHLY
any amount...

OR VIA SNAIL MAIL
Make check out to...
Brad Friedman / BRAD BLOG
7095 Hollywood Blvd., #594
Los Angeles, CA 90028

RECENT POSTS

The BRAD BLOG Reborn…

And it only took 20 years or so...

So Much Losing: ‘BradCast’ 4/23/2026

In Iran, in public opinion, at the ballot box, in the courtroom...

‘Green News Report’ – April 23, 2026

With Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen...

‘A Scammer’s Treasure Trove’: DOGE Bros Stole Your Social Security Data: ‘BradCast’ 4/22/2026

Guest: Nancy Altman of Social Security Works; Also: 'Yes', Virginia, there is a new U.S. House map! (For now)...

Insiders Making a Killing Betting on Trump’s War: ‘BradCast’ 4/21/2026

Guest: Craig Holman of Public Citizen; Also: Judge blocks Admin scheme to prevent wind, solar development; Another TACO Tuesday for Iran...

‘Green News Report’ – April 21, 2026

With Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen...

Week 8: Iran War Lies Continue from Sundowning Gaslighter-in-Chief: ‘BradCast’ 4/20/2026

Also: Approval rating plummets; More Dem overperformance in NJ; VA voters voting; CA primary election chaos; Callers ring in...

Sunday ‘WWJD?’ Toons

THIS WEEK: Paging Dr. Jesus ... Strait Outta Hormuz ... It's What's for Dinner ...

U.S. Middle Eastern ‘War Crimes’ Then and Now: ‘BradCast’ 4/16/2026

Guest: Attorney, former U.S. Army Captain Keith Barber; Also: Eastman disbarred; ICE official charged in MN...

‘Green News Report’ – April 16, 2026

With Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen...

Trump’s USDA Takes Chainsaw to U.S. Forest Service: ‘BradCast’ 4/15/2026

Guest: Conservationist Jim Pattiz; Also: Judge blocks Indiana law barring Student IDs for voting; More U.S. ground troops headed to Iran...

Midterm Elections Reality Check: ‘BradCast’ 4/14/2026

House, Senate and Gerrymandering War updates; Also: Super typhoon slams U.S. territories; China calls Trump's blockade bluff in the Strait...

‘Green News Report’ – April 14, 2026

With Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen...

Another Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Weekend: ‘BradCast’ 4/13/2026

Vance fails in Iran; Hungary defeats its autocratic leader; Trump attacks the Pope, depicts himself as Jesus; Swalwell crashes and burns...

Sunday ‘Mission Accomp…’ Toons

THIS WEEK: So Much Winning! ... Melania's Helpful Reminder ... J.D. on the Job! ...

About Brad Friedman...

Brad is an independent investigative journalist, blogger and broadcaster. Full Bio & Testimonials… Media Appearance Archive… Articles & Editorials Elsewhere… Contact…

He has contributed chapters to these books…
…And is featured in these documentary films…

BRAD BLOG ON THE AIR!

THE BRADCAST on KPFK/Pacifica Radio Network (90.7FM Los Angeles, 98.7FM Santa Barbara, 93.7FM N. San Diego and nationally on many other affiliate stations! ALSO VIA PODCAST: RSS/XML feed | Pandora | TuneInApple Podcasts/iTunesiHeartAmazon Music

GREEN NEWS REPORT, nationally syndicated, with new episodes on Tuesday and Thursday. ALSO VIA PODCAST: RSS/XML feed | Pandora | TuneInApple Podcasts/iTunesiHeartAmazon Music

Media Appearance Archives…

AD
CONTENT

ADDITIONAL STUFF

Brad Friedman/
The BRAD BLOG Named...

Buzz Flash's 'Wings of Justice' Honoree
Project Censored 2010 Award Recipient
The 2008 Weblog Awards