Obama: Hackers accessed campaign files in 2008

This was originally published at CBSNews.com.

President Obama on Friday confirmed that his presidential campaign suffered a cyber intrusion in which hackers gained access to a range of files.

Barack Obama says of cyberattacks: "It has happened to me."

(Credit: CBS)

In a speech in which he unveiled a plan for a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy, the president said he understands what it is like to be a victim of a cyberattack because "it has happened to me and the people around me."

Between the months of August and October, Obama said, hackers accessed files including policy papers and travel plans. Files pertaining to fundraising information were left untouched, he assured his supporters in a joking manner.

Obama noted that his campaign's vulnerabilities reflected those of the rest of the world in the digital era.

"It's no secret my presidential campaign harnessed the Internet" to communicate with a wide swath of supporters, he said. However, the hacking was "a powerful reminder...one of your greatest strengths, our ability to communicate...could also be one of your greatest vulnerabilities."

The campaign worked with federal agents and hired security consultants to address the breach, Obama said. Newsweek reported in November that federal agents were investigating cyberbreaches of both the Obama and McCain campaigns.

[Commander_Spock]

That President Barack Obama said inter alia; Re: ""It's no secret my presidential campaign harnessed the Internet" to communicate with a wide swath of supporters, he said. However, the hacking was "a powerful reminder...one of your greatest strengths, our ability to communicate...could also be one of your greatest vulnerabilities...."

So, are they going to be gone after; and, at what speeds!!! With the "Concorde" (commercial carrier) sitting on the deck of an old U.S. aircraft carrier in New York's Hudson River then it must be at speeds that can be accomplished by the "Raptors"!

"Mission Accomplished" - Again!

[byronlord00]

Mr. Obama SAYS his campaign files were breached electronically...while in the process of creating yet another government "czar". How convenient...but, yet, a worthwhile goal. We, once again, have no idea what this "czar" will do, how they will do it, or who they will report to. Another magnificent Obama promise without substance.
Maybe the Cyber Czar can help the FCC define "broadband". 7.5 BILLION dollars of stimulus money to ensure broadband penetration to underserved areas but...AGAIN...no definitions of "broadband" nor of what an "underserved area" is. A more jaded person would wonder how much money will be left to actually do something once the studies are finished to produce the definitions. Aye, but there's the rub...for in that sleep of usual government buracracy who knows what dreams may come (sorry, Billy).
Wake up, folks. Blow the dust off your copy of "1984" and actually read it this time. Big Brother is here and the addition of yet another government entity with no set parameters should be giving us all pause...no matter how well intention the stated purpose might be.

[lozlink]

So basically...he's not wanting to not only control what we say physically, but he now wants to control the internet, too? Well that's just dandy. For all we know, this could be just an excuse to get his dirty little fingers into the damn internet just like he did the banks and anyone who was stupid enough to take any bailout money from him. McCain wasn't much better but at least he wasn't as ****** up as this. Ever watch Big Brother? How do you like that. Now you can say "Oh well, I don't like Obama" and either get arrested or shot for it. How do you like your damn Obama now?