IT experts warn of possible hacker on KPU website
IT experts warn of possible hacker on KPU website
Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta
Despite the General Elections Commission's (KPU) claim that vote-
counting for the presidential election will be quick, accurate
and secure, experts on information technology warn that the KPU
website remains vulnerable to hackers.
Onno W. Purbo of the Bandung Institute of Technology and Roy
Suryo of the Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University even doubted
that the KPU could meet its deadline to tally the results, saying
"more people will be tempted to hack into the KPU website."
They were referring to the high-profile cyber crime case
allegedly committed by Dani Firmansyah and Fuad Nurdin, just
days after the general election on April 5.
"The KPU claims that it will complete vote-counting within
four days. But, with possible rampant hacking activities, as well
as the lack of legal infrastructure on cyber crime, I don't think
the KPU can meet the deadline," Onno told a seminar on
cybernetics in the general election, held at Paramadina
University in South Jakarta.
Roy said hackers may use certain methods to avoid legal
repercussions, although they "may not harbor intentions to
disrupt the counting process ... (Their motive) may just be to
show the public that the expensive cyber project is not secure."
He was referring to the KPU's Rp 152 billion (US$16.5 million)
state-of-the-art project, which was introduced ahead of the
general election.
Roy said that hackers would likely continue to interfere with
the KPU's website until the possible runoff of the election in
September -- which would be contested by the top two of the five
pairs, if no candidate wins more than 50 percent of some 153
million votes on July 5.
Dani and Fuad claimed to have had hacked into the website on
their own initiative and had worked alone, denying any political
motive.
"The clever boys simply felt challenged to test their
abilities," the police said, even though they eventually charged
them with violating Article 22 of Law No. 39/1999 on
telecommunications.
The article stipulates that individuals are prohibited from
manipulating a telecommunications network, telecommunications
service or any special telecommunications network.
If found guilty, suspected hackers could face a maximum
sentence of six years in prison and/or a Rp 600 million
(US$65,217) fine.