France tries to keep Macron email hack from distorting election

Is it by now not obvious that western Democracy is under full-scale cyber-attack by the Russian government and that western Democracy is not exactly winning and we have a president that doesn't care about Russia's ability to influence foreign elections in order to get far-right nationalists elected. 

Nobody is pulling the fire alarm.

Macron's campaign has previously complained about attempts to hack its emails, blaming Russian interests in part for the cyber attacks.

In Syria Professor Woland II has shown that his country's traditional military is not that effective, but when it comes to attempts to influence elections in other nations, his brand of cyberwarfare is the world's best. Or worst, depending on perspective.

Macron is a banker stooge with orders to loot the country.....

Ya umm, you do know that Ukraine is not part of Russia.

Many posters have reminded that as a result of 'population transfer' and other Soviet and Russian programs there are many living in Ukraine who identify as Russian. Maybe some could be doing Russia's hacking from there.

Then there's always the Russian military that's in (not in according to Putin) Ukraine. There's little question the Russian military and intelligence sectors are experts at cyberwarfare.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulroderickgregory/2016/09/06/russian-combat-medals-put-lie-to-putins-claim-of-no-russian-troops-in-ukraine/#21200cef3809

It appears the perpetrators of this so called data theft hack and subsequent online leak were due to lackadaisical use of private e-mail services on unauthenticated devices though third-party IT service providers.

Impatience propagates the use of can't be bothered password managers. With the clandestine use PHP net mirrors, targeted spoof phishing, simple redirects, and cross site scripting , these alleged groups responsible walked straight through the front door and plundered at will.

EEveryone thinks they know security. Hire professionals!

The Guardian reported 25th April, that Macron campaign team were susceptible to data security breaches. Trend Micro (Tokyo) report is unequivocal.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/25/hackers-have-targeted-election-campaign-of-macron-says-cyber-firm

Sorry JT but the title of the article you bought reeks of ignorance. I didn't bother with the rest....

The law says no discussion from Friday. Just like before the Internet. Before the pathetic Russian mafia headed by Don Putin tried to influence elections in democratic countries.

I'm interested to see the response Hollande has promised. But in France, this scheme will backfire. Lap it up Russian trolls. Vous aurez du apprendre a parlez bandes de naz.....

France tries to bury the truth about Macron by sweeping email under the rug in hopes of preventing an honest election.

There. Fixed it.

Of course, Obama's direct video appeal to French voters is not viewed as interference in a foreign election. Pffft.

It's entertaining watching the alt-right freaking out because the French people don't appear to be stupid enough to vote for their candidate.

Ukraine is not part of Russia.

Try telling that to Putin.

It's amusing watching lefty-loons blindly supporting the Oedipus candidate Far-Leftist global banker.

It's entertaining watching the alt-right freaking out because the French people don't appear to be stupid enough to vote for their candidate.

It's entertaining watching the insecure left almost soil their designer jeans because finally, a moment of clarity has hit them upside the head that they must be open to the possibility that a very large portion of the world really doesn't see the world as they do.

"It's amusing watching lefty-loons blindly supporting the Oedipus candidate Far-Leftist global banker."

No one on the left is enamored with Macron, yet another neoliberal preaching the gospel of austerity. Claims like this are always amusing though. That there's not a bit of difference between Macron, Poutou or Hamon, that anyone left of Sarkozy is Lenin. Same nonsense American rightwingers espouse, that Clinton = Sanders = Mao. Now, whether some of us on the actual left decide to vote for candidates like Clinton or Macron, simply b/c they'll do far less evil than fascists, that's another discussion.

Desperate lies in desperate times, heh.

Despite a huge propaganda campaign by mainstream media, Macron still looks the same - bland, colorless banker who has no clue how to solve France's numerous problems. Something is badly needed to shore up his candidacy, and voilà - here comes the magic weapon, designed last year by MSM - the Russian hackers!! These guys can take blame for everyone and everything!! All you need is just a bunch of noisy trolls who will cry "hackers" as loud as can, and call everybody who doubts or asks for any logical explanation "Russian troll" or "Putin's agent". Do you believe that such loud cries will silence the voice of reason?

Seriously, if Putin wants to weaken France he would support Macron - this hapless rich boy has no idea what to do, he is just like Hollande, only younger. If elected, he'll definitely make France's difficult situation much worse.

Despite a huge propaganda campaign by mainstream media, Macron still looks the same - bland, colorless banker who has no clue how to solve France's numerous problems.

Strangerland, Racism and bigotry were the furthest things on my mind.You are implying"the possibility that a very large portion of the world really doesn't see the world as they do" are racists and bigots?

I pray the people of the great country of France, believe in the word of Obama....he knows what's going on...he is trying to help you...God Bless you all! Viva LA France

 and call everybody who doubts or asks for any logical explanation "Russian troll" or "Putin's agent". 

Of course not all of them are Putin’s agents. There are also supporters of other forms of authoritarian nationalism, the oligarchs uber alles crowd, rightists of all stripes, the terminally angry, nihilists among others.

Many LePen (and Trump) supporters want to return to some fictional past, which they've been led to believe actually happened. Many of these for whatever reason have been left behind job skill wise and think their problems are because of some ‘them’, a them who most likely are physically different.

Putin’s agents and their fellow travelers call anyone who disagrees with them MSM tools. Curious that this group constantly disparaging media has yet to show where they get their info. They certainly can’t believe what’s being written in Putin’s global media outlets. Can they?

I wanna believe CrazyJoe is being sarcastic...and it's vive la France, not viva!   Macron the Oedipus candidate! Ha that is so true.  He has no convictions.  He was too young at seventeen ( still almost 16 y.o. really ) to understand the world of love/romance.  His then teacher should have been thrown out on her ass...  Does anyone really want such a foolish man-child to be President of France? Oh my god!  And then all you educated ones simply throw out to very strategic words: racialism and facism

There are also supporters of other forms of authoritarian nationalism, the oligarchs uber alles crowd, rightists of all stripes, the terminally angry, nihilists among others.

Oh, a little creativity, calling people who do not agree with you not Putin agents, but other derogatory names! The only tool left when you have no reasonable argument.

Many LePen (and Trump) supporters want to return to some fictional pastL

LePen supporters see that estableshed mainstream parties have failed completely to fix problems of the country and they want new ideas, new approach. Macron can not produce new ideas - he can not generate any ideas, to be exact. All he can do is repeating unimaginatively the same old mantra of his predecessors - neoliberalism, multyculturalism and other nonsense that put France at that sorrow state it is now. People want other ideas. But to call such people "supporters of other forms of authoritarian nationalism, the oligarchs uber alles crowd" is much easier then to produce some really new ideas, right?

what’s being written in Putin’s global media outlets

I want to check. Can you provide the list of such outlets?

He was too young at seventeen ( still almost 16 y.o. really ) to understand the world of love/romance.

I'm in my mid-forties and still struggle with it. About half of my friends divorced aged between 25-45. I don't make judgements about the romantic lives of others and the French are more grown up than most about these things.

Le Pen and her party have wallowed in racism for years and it's hard to get rid of the smell despite unconvincing attempts to clean up. As for fascism, I think that's an overstatement. I prefer the word 'trash'.

Asakaze: LePen supporters see that estableshed mainstream parties have failed completely to fix problems of the country and they want new ideas, new approach. Macron can not produce new ideas - he can not generate any ideas, to be exact. All he can do is repeating unimaginatively the same old mantra of his predecessors - neoliberalism, multyculturalism and other nonsense that put France at that sorrow state it is now. People want other ideas. But to call such people "supporters of other forms of authoritarian nationalism, the oligarchs uber alles crowd" is much easier then to produce some really new ideas, right?

Do you work for LePen or something?

hat’s being written in Putin’s global media outlets

@asakaze I want to check. Can you provide the list of such outlets?

Pretty much any Russian media outlet should suffice.

2006 most major Russian media were either directly or indirectly under Putin’s administration’s control.

Of course you can say this link is from the MSM.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/mar/24/putin-russia-media-state-government-control

Again, what sources do you use to get your info? Could it be calling anyone who disagrees with you a tool of the MSM is, using your words,

The only tool left when you have no reasonable argument.

@SuperLib

Do you work for LePen or something?

No. Do you work for Macron or something?

@PTownsend

Pretty much any Russian media outlet should suffice

Read them frequently? And you wrote about "global" outlets. Where is the long list of them? Russian internal media are not "global".

Could it be calling anyone who disagrees with you a tool of the MSM is, using your words

I prefer logical arguments and I do not call my opponents names first, only in retaliation.

And you wrote about "global" outlets.

I recently stayed in a hotel in Taipei and watched Russia Today on TV. Russia Today newspaper is often cited on this site. Of course it's probably difficult to trace ownership of RT to Putin himself, just like it's difficult to connect him with all the other sources of income that have made him, according to some, the richest man in the world. As a politician?

http://time.com/money/4641093/vladimir-putin-net-worth/

Anyone but LePen.

Of course it's probably difficult to trace ownership of RT to Putin himself,

Wonderful!! "It's difficult", but nevertheless you feel free to make any assumptions you like. Providing facts is a boring thing from the past, right? And let me remind you that Putin is not subject of this thread.

Good luck, Marine! Vive la France!

‘Economic patriotism’, ‘intelligent protectionism’ - Marine Le Pen....The main plank of Le Pen economic policy would be exiting the single currency, reintroducing a more competitive devalued Franc, absorbing the national debt in the process.

The intelligent protectionism would take the form of punitive taxes on companies and businesses that hire foreign workers. Marine Le Pen has also indicated being in favour of the introduction of 3% import tax and a higher tariffs. Only French citizens children would have access to free education. The 35 hour week would stay, state pension retirement age would be reduced to sixty. These policies are just not economically feasible, there is no recourse to costing so all representative of a wish list.

Emanuel Macron, has pledged to reform welfare and pensions, however Macron stint as economy minister was a disaster. How Macron intends to make this happen without more of the same chaotic disputes, strikes and rioting remains to be seen. France has a stubbornly high unemployment rate, over 13% of the population living below the poverty threshold, total government spending is close to 55% of GDP, and a Euro that favours Germany's economy by a margin of 14%, evident by Germanys huge current account surplus.     

Whichever group though it strategically/tactically necessary or logical to hack the Emanuel Macron campaign has a seriously warped sense of humour.

I personally think that France is already too far gone, a basketcase of a lost cause, but there's a glimmer of hope if LePen is elected. There have been many reports of defective ballot packages with only two ballots for Macron (not one for each candidate).

Economically speaking, there will be upheaval whoever is declared to be the winner.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-05-06/why-charles-gave-expects-total-mayhem-france-even-if-macron-elected

@Fred There have been many reports of defective ballot packages 

I just did a quick google and couldn't find this. I'm not saying you're spreading fake news, but would appreciate a link.

Putin’s agents and their fellow travelers call anyone who disagrees with them MSM tools.

And MSM tools call anyone who disagrees with them Putin's agents.

This kind of name-calling is pointless.

If anything in the USA and UK has shown that the media have ignored the rural effects of globalization due to the political systems. UK's Brexit referendum did an end-run over the normal election vice grip, and Trumpettes came out of their bunkers and gun shows to vote for an orange wig while the Dems were busy destroying their own legitimacy by their actions against Bernie Sanders.

It'll be interesting to see if the non mainstream French vote is a force that is interested in a wild change, or if what we have seen before is even a factor on mainland Europe

Also just because Macron was hacked, why is this a negative? Are the attackers relying on the notion of a hack alone to sway the election? There appears to be zero data to question anything so I find it meaningless.

@PTownsend, you probably won't be able to find anything on Google. Several of my friends in France have told me that in the envelopes they received there was a synopsis for both candidates, but both ballot papers were for Macron. About 8 of my friends.

Of course, Obama's direct video appeal to French voters is not viewed as interference in a foreign election. Pffft.

Yeah, and Obama's CIA hacked Le Pen's party a few years ago. And they have interfered in countless national elections. But I guess it's OK when the US does it.

I wonder how many French people know about Macron's alleged tax evasion.

The timing of the French election results, lets assume a Emanuel Macron Presidency, the UK elections, a Theresa May increased majority, the UK protracted withdrawal negotiations from the EU. When viewed all together it has the potential makings of a economic political disaster.

Emanuel Macron should pause carefully before looking across the channel towards London for Brexit scapegoats.

you probably won't be able to find anything on Google. Several of my friends in France have told me that in the envelopes they received there was a synopsis for both candidates, but both ballot papers were for Macron. About 8 of my friends.

ONE : You will find it on Google. It's being investigated, officially. That has been in the news for 3 days ans that's where you got the info from. It's a big coincidence that all your imaginary friends are affected since it is a very local incident.

TWO : That has not the slightest effect. The ballot papers sent by mail are not used. You get new ones in all the ballot offices using paper ballots, and in those with electronic vote (only in a few cities), you need none.

everything seems to get blamed on Russia these days

Gee I wonder why? They've earned that reputation given the malfeasance in the USA election and hacking both the RNC and DNC but only releasing the DNC files.

This now happening in France also fits their MO, to destabilize Europe. You do understand that they annexed part of Ukraine and are currently under sanctions? A more weakened alliance leaves Russia to invade

Am looking forward to Le Pen, her movement, ideologies and supporters taking a back seat after they are decimated in the election. Can't wait for the fat cancer in the Kremlin to see what his hacking has cost him.

It will be a great lesson for them both. And one which we shall not forget.

Also just because Macron was hacked, why is this a negative? Are the attackers relying on the notion of a hack alone to sway the election? 

I understand your question. You are 100% right that this hack reveals nothing and hopefully, it won't influence the ballot by revelations (that's not the Hillary-Donald case). It's more important for AFTER. For our diplomatic relation with Russia. The fact they tried interfering -no matter in which direction just the action- it is very offensive. Also, one of the 2 candidates, I won't say which, but she has questionable ties with Russia at multiple levels. That makes one more with her team orchastrating the hype over fake news mixed into the leaked data. So a serious investigation is necessary over possible treason from French citizens.

I personally think that both candidates are deeply flawed, but Macron is the far more deeply flawed of the two.

Let's evaluate the comment of mr/ms coskuri, shall we? Rather than address the issue of the actual defective ballot packages, this person made a lame attempt at ad hominem. The reality is that many voters have likewise received similarly defective ballot packages. Perhaps indeed there is or will be an investigation, however the outcome may be irrelevant anyway. Let's hope that the actual French are the victors and not victims of the globalists.

Russia would be better served making real alliances with other countries rather than sitting on the sidelines as an international cancer spreading hacks and fake news everywhere. These actions will just isolate them more and hurt the average Russian financially.

And I'm fine with that.

Heh, looks like she got buried.

Common sense prevailed.

Le Pen can crawl back under her rock. The so called right wing fever has been rejected on the continent.

Result as expected.

Le Pen ended up as the biggest opposition party.

66% Better than expected. The FN reached new lows with their attitude (banning journalists, etc).

Heard first speech new Prez. Oh my ! I wouldn't even want him to speak at my funeral.

Well he wanted to do a thespian career, and he would have been even worse. Now Laurence Haïm is trying to translate his speech from langue de bois into French. She should be president.

This hack doesn't seem to be done by the likes of the Russian Cozy Bear

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cozy_Bear

(Cozy Bear are the hacker equivalent of hired hitmen, but they are professional hitmen)

In contrast, whichever group did this seems to be sloppy:

Russian metadata are found within false documents that's mixed with genuine documents

The stolen documents were also leaked when it's already too late to influence the election

Cozy Bear, et. al. wouldn't be that sloppy

Congratulations to People of France. You guys were smart enough to learn mistakes from UK and US elections that were interfered by Putin of Russian government.

Putin Lost! French Won! Yey to the World!

Indeed, the result is as expected. The party of Hollande has their new leader, that despite the abysmal approval rate of Hollande. Lefty begets lefty.

But don't expect any real improvements.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-05-06/why-charles-gave-expects-total-mayhem-france-even-if-macron-elected

And it's a rather shallow victory considering the low voter turnout.

 as of 5pm, the French voter participation was 65.3%, which is the lowest in presidential elections going back at least all the way to 1988:

2017 : 65.30%

2012 : 71.96%

2007 : 75.11%

2002 : 67.62%

1995 : 66.07%

1988 : 70.63%

And according to a separate accounts, the voter turnout was the lowest going back all the way to 1974.

I reports that the turnout was 75%.

Whom should I believe?

@pacint, the final numbers will be about 75% turnout. The numbers I posted above were "as of 5pm".

Congratulations to the people of France!

a very large portion of the world really doesn't see the world as they do. well France electoral process unlike the US doesnt allow a group with lesser voter support to take power. France the left has far more support than the right. "large portion" doesnt = majority or largest portion of voters in the majority of western democracies. Macron victory is a slap in the face to the right and the anti EU establishment.

lefty-loons blindly supporting the Oedipus candidate Far-Leftist global banker. oh bit like those rightist-nutters supporting a misogynistic egotistical billionaire scammer.