The Barack Obama web strategy is "a very high priority for this campaign from Day One... He's understood from the very beginning that the Internet makes it easier for everyday people to find ways to support the campaign, to get involved" said Chris Hughes, Obama's tech-savvy Facebook entrepreneur. Because of Internet, Obama won the democratic nomination. But now, he must take care about viral rumors which circulate from e-mails to e-mails. A new specific website was launched and Obama campaign is looking for a network security expert. A first time for an electoral campaign.
"Obama for America is looking for a network security expert who wants to play a key role in a historic political campaign" reads the ad, posted to the Barackobama.com. It is the first time a Web security job is advertised for a political campaign. Obama's Web site, built by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, has been the model of Web 2.0 campaigning, using social-networking techniques to raise funds and built a broad base of active, Internet-savvy supporters. But security experts have long warned that powerful Web site features also open new avenues for attack. In April, a programming error allowed a Hillary Clinton supporter to redirect part of Obama's Web site to Clinton's. Even Hillary Clinton's name was used in a spam campaign that delivered messages laced with malicious Trojan Horse software programs, according to InfoWorld.
Mid-June, the Obama camp launched "a new and truly innovative political site" according PoliticsOnline. "Fight the Smears.com" want to refute viral rumors campaigns being spread on the Net. Historically, political candidates have shied away from acknowledging slanderous rumors, but the Obama camp is harnessing the viral power of the Net to launch a counter-attack on rumors spreading online.
Obama's new site allows supporters to upload their Outlook contacts to "spread the facts" and quickly email all of their contacts a 'fact-based' email. In an effort to subdue some worry that Obama's online campaign is becoming more powerful than Google, supporters are reassured that the uploaded email addresses from their Outlook folders will not be retained. There is also an outlet on the site where Obama fans can report Obama slander on the Net to watchdog@obama.com.
