Act for Change/ Working Assets Security Breach- a Big Deal?

On Sunday November 4th, 2007, all members of the political activism group "Act For Change", otherwise known as "Working Assets", received an e-mail notice that outlines a breach of security that recently took place. E-mail addresses and passwords of "Act For Change" members were tapped into, along with other personally identifying information. While the organization is handling this event as it would handle any situation where a random hacker managed to access confidential information about members of the group, given the political nature of this web-site, and the beliefs of it's members, one must wonder if this was actually a random hacking incident, or a politically motivated attack.

"Act For Change" members are outspoken social activists. The organization is something of a watchdog for government, and seeks to hold the government accountable for it's actions or "inactions", in it's duties to represent the American public. The organization has orchestrated the sending of 5,523,939 letters to government officials, 898,388 calls to Congress and the White House, 14,905,729 e-mails to public officials, and 186,787 faxes to public offices around the country, since president Bush took office.

On November 4^th, 2007, exactly one year before the next presidential election, "Act For Change/ Working Assets", joined forces with a second major activists group, "Working For Change". The organization officially changed its name on this date as well. With the groups creed displayed clearly across its newly designed web page, "Speak the truth to power" the new name "Credo" bonds members under this same creed of action. Michael Kieschnick, president and co-founder of "Act For Change" (now Credo) gives his explanation for the groups name change, in a letter to the public, posted on the "Credo" web-site. An excerpt from this letter reads:

"We changed our name on November 4, 2007 - one year to the day before the presidential election of 2008. It is our hope that after that election, we will begin to emerge from the darkest days of the American experiment in democracy. There will be critical battles to restore the constitution, provide universal health care, end the occupation of Iraq, and finally address global warming."

"Credo"/"Act For Change/Working Assets" has taken a hard stance with the current administration. They have issued calls for impeachment of Cheney and Bush, and continuously spoken out against the war in Iraq. They up-date members daily about the actions of Congress and White House officials, and organize campaigns in support of issues that affect the majority of Americans- the working classes, the elderly, the poverty stricken, and America's children. They report on government spending, and alert their members regarding the never ending amount of inappropriate and illegal activity in Washington.

Was this a random hacking, or are member's names and e-mail addresses even now on the desk of some power-hungry government official? Not many in this day and age would put such a move above either the current government, or those vying for positions in the near future. Given the nature of the organization, it seems difficult to imagine that a hacking occurred, without political motivation.

Because of the hacking, members are being encouraged to protect their personal information, by changing passwords on other sites where they may have used the same e-mail and password combination. They are encouraged to be on the look out for e-mails requesting further, personal information, and to report any suspicious acts to their carriers. While this seems like wise advice from the organization, there is still the looming question of "Who did it?" and "What was the motivation behind it?" and of even greater concern, "What do those who have this information intend to do with it now?"