(The Center Square) – Social Security numbers, death certificates, Illinois voter applications and other personal information were accessible on the open internet, according to longtime security researcher Jeremiah Fowler.
Fowler found out that multiple Illinois counties that use a third-party company, Platinum Technology Resource, as an election services provider had exposed databases. He was able to access sensitive voter information.
“I’m an ethical security researcher and I found this,” said Fowler. “The bad guys are also looking for the same data I am looking for. The difference is I am going to let you know where they are going to take that data and manipulate it. It all boils down to resources.”
Fowler explained small local governments can’t fight foreign adversaries, who might take sensitive voter information and disrupt America’s elections by requesting absentee ballots using a voter’s Social Security number or other personally identifiable information.
“When [voter data] is stored online you create this vulnerability. It could be a mistake, I don’t think it was a malicious accident, but that’s a huge vulnerability,” said Fowler.