Data-Breach: Wagner Campaign Leaks Names and Emails of Subscribers — First Cyber-Error For…

50 days remain until election day, and for the Democrats and Republicans of Pennsylvania that means a vote for either incumbent Governor Tom Wolf (D) or Republican-nominee Scott Wagner.

In the latest poll reported by RealClearPolitics, Franklin & Marshall found Tom Wolf (D) leading with 52 points to Scott Wagner’s (R) 35 points — a spread of +17 for the incumbent Governor of Pennsylvania. While Tom Wolf (D) may be leading in statistical poll-points, it would appear Wagner (R) is leading in drama-points.

On September 5, 2018, Team Wagner published an article sharing the news of Wagner’s latest right hook. His newest website titled ShadyTom exposes Wolf’s “Bold lies and shady deals”.

For the tech cats out there — or really anyone interested in a good laugh — here are a few fun facts about Wagner’s new website:

The website is:1. WordPress based,2. Built using a public theme available for purchase at $39, and3. Took about one month to complete (considering when the domain was purchased).

I have yet to investigate the integrity and security of Wagner’s latest site, but you will learn the interests and security of Wagner’s email subscribers is of rather low priority. In fact, as the headline reads, one of Wagner’s latest’s email campaigns revealed the names, email addresses, and frankly the interests of over 60 people; and that is only on a Northeast-regional level of the state.

Preface: While this is not the juicy data breach you will read about on the news, this is still classified as an unintentional disclosure of information.

In an email from Wagner’s Northeast Regional Field Director advertising the candidate’s rally to be held in Wilkes- Barre Pennsylvania on Wednesday the 12, Robert Rein, made a rookie mistake.

Nestled within the header of the email were the names and email addresses of 60+ individuals local to the rally. Among those listed were top business executives, state politicians, state workers, county workers, and even myself.

When I reached out to Rein, this is what he said:

Alec, Thank you for the clarification! That was a mistake on my end when sending this email and I ensure you I will not make it again. Rob.

We can all agree that this sharing of details via email will not result in a catastrophic attack, but politics are a touchy issue with majority being either far-left or far-right. When people subscribe to email lists they are trying to keep themselves informed, not their co-workers, neighbors, and local leaders informed on their political interests.

This is not the first — nor last — party foul when it comes to elections, and as midterms approach we will only continue to hear more.

Written by Alec Ryncavage. Website | Twitter | LinkedIn