Hacking John McCain

News Type: Event — Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:59 AM EDT

politics, mccain, john-mccain, humor, myspace, gay-marriage, hacks

John McCain's MySpace page, with artificial lifestyle-tolerance implant.

The red herring that tipped me off. Who sends design requests to John McCain???

If you visit John McCain's MySpace page (as of 9am PST Tuesday morning), you will notice an interesting announcement from him. He's apparently reversed his position on gay marriage as well as revealed a bias towards attractive lesbians.

Why would a presidential candidate make such an important announcement on his MySpace page?

The answer? He wouldn't.

But I would.

You see, John McCain's people commandeered my world-renowned MySpace design template and did a few things wrong:

They did not credit me for the template, even though the template explicitly requested credit.
They used my own unmodified imagery, specifically for the "Contacting John McCain" table.
As if #2 wasn't bad enough, the McCain crew is actually pulling their image directly from my server on each page load. So every time someone visits the McCain MySpace page, my bandwidth is being used to deliver part of the page! Bad McCain!

So...

Numerous people have written me over the last few weeks to tell me that McCain has been using my code, but up until I realized he was pulling images from my server, I didn't really care. A lot of celebrities including Ryan "Van Wilder" Reynolds and the beautiful Nelly Furtado use my code and I'm totally cool with it.

But then I read the article in today's Newsweek about how politicians are all setting up MySpace pages in order to "connect" with younger audiences. McCain's MySpace page is listed, as are the pages from several other candidates. I think the idea of politicians setting up MySpace pages and pretending to actually use them is a bit disingenuous, so I figured it was time to play a little prank on Johnny Mac.

Luckily, I had already set up a special .htaccess rule on my server which served my real "contact me" image if the image was referenced from my own MySpace page, and served up a sample image if it was served from anywhere else. This is the whole reason I even figured out what was going on. I had my real image in cache and upon loading McCain's page, the real image showed up (including my special note that said "NO REQUESTS FOR DESIGN HELP PLEASE"). Thinking it was weird that McCain would get any requests for design help, I immediately realized what happened.

So, the only thing necessary to effectively commandeer McCain's page with my own messaging was to simply replace my own sample image on my server with a newly created sample on my server. No server but my own was touched and no laws were broken. The immaculate hack.

Abortion? The Iraq War? Probably too heavy to joke about. Gay marriage seemed like a more of a non-lethal subject to center the prank around.

So with a few minutes in Photoshop and a quick FTP, a new John McCain was born...

...and The Straight-Talk Express isn't just for straight people anymore.

Note: Before McCain fans comment on this, let me reiterate that this was a prank. I'm not politically inclined, I'm not anti-McCain, and I'd have a beer with the guy anytime. Election season on Newsvine is sure going to be fun though.

355 Votes
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Groups: Queer Finds on "Straight Talk", The Drollhouse
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{"commentId":609596,"authorDomain":"xohdis"}

The Brad

When I read that McCain's page was hacked... I just chuckled.

When I read WHY and HOW McCain's page was hacked... I laughed hysterically and shared the story with my friends.

Good show, my friend. Good show.

{"commentId":609596,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"xohdis"}

10 votes

#26 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":609608,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

I've blogged it, I've clipped it into my column, I've clipped it into clipmarks... del.icio.us, here we come.

{"commentId":609608,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"aine"}

8 votes

#27 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":609624,"authorDomain":"ZenAid"}

ZenAid

I see the story is all over the Internet. You'd have to pay tens of thousands for this kind of publicity for Newsvine. Well done, Mike, what a hoot.

{"commentId":609624,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"ZenAid"}

8 votes

#28 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:25 PM EDT

{"commentId":609671,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}

Eric Atienza

Hopefully the Boston police don't imprison him for terrorism.

{"commentId":609671,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"deatienza"}

11 votes

#28.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":609706,"authorDomain":"ZenAid"}

ZenAid

LOL. Or, worse, treason.

{"commentId":609706,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"ZenAid"}

2 votes

#28.2 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":613715,"authorDomain":"commonprotocol"}

benthebearded

interestingly enough

and about the whole myspace, while politicians making "friends" is sick company's and products have gotten permission to have "pages" just think about it you tom Mc'cain's lesbian and tide detergent can be friends.

{"commentId":613715,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"commonprotocol"}

#28.3 - Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:31 AM EDT

{"commentId":609680,"authorDomain":"a3dmofo"}

a3dmofo

To rich!

{"commentId":609680,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"a3dmofo"}

3 votes

#29 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":609824,"authorDomain":"nono"}

nono-33219

I don't know who this Rich fellow is but I'll toast to him also. To Rich!

{"commentId":609824,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"nono"}

12 votes

#29.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:07 PM EDT

{"commentId":610162,"authorDomain":"freetyler"}

Tyler-136959

nono-33219, you made me laugh harder than I have all month. Thanks for that.

You're funny too, Mike, but in a different way.

{"commentId":610162,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"freetyler"}

#29.2 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:43 PM EDT

{"commentId":611871,"authorDomain":"billin"}

Billin

To business!

(clinks glasses)

{"commentId":611871,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"billin"}

#29.3 - Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:14 AM EDT

{"commentId":609681,"authorDomain":"waveflux"}

Waveflux

Remind me never to steal templates from you. Well played.

{"commentId":609681,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"waveflux"}

1 vote

#30 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":609700,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

Pamela Drew

There's a weblog of an "evil queen" who has it featured too!! *smirk*

{"commentId":609700,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}

3 votes

#31 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:06 PM EDT

{"commentId":609733,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

Ummm... that would be moi. *grinning*

{"commentId":609733,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"aine"}

2 votes

#31.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":609759,"authorDomain":"jay-baker"}

Jay Baker

This is hilarious! Well done!

{"commentId":609759,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"jay-baker"}

1 vote

#32 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":609787,"authorDomain":"136912a"}

jeremy-136912

totally should have goatse'd him!

{"commentId":609787,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"136912a"}

2 votes

#33 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":610639,"authorDomain":"gregplancich"}

Greg Plancich

I'm a fan of Lemon Party, though Goatse is classic.

Anything but TubGirl really...

{"commentId":610639,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"gregplancich"}

#33.1 - Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:44 AM EDT

{"commentId":609808,"authorDomain":"surya"}

Surya

I'm speechless ... not only that, I'm so excited I can hardly type. Of all the perfect things I've seen in my life, this is right up there as one of the most perfect ... in so many different ways.

You're a star, Mike.

{"commentId":609808,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"surya"}

3 votes

#34 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":609825,"authorDomain":"saikrishna"}

Sai Krishna

Man, that is too good. This'll make me think twice the next time I decide to copy your stuff.

{"commentId":609825,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"saikrishna"}

1 vote

#35 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":609833,"authorDomain":"aine"}

Aine MacDermot

I guess Jon Stewart got the email... muahahahahaha.

{"commentId":609833,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"aine"}

8 votes

#36 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":609975,"authorDomain":"witchofthenorth"}

Glinda

omigod those guys are damn funny

{"commentId":609975,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"witchofthenorth"}

#36.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":609848,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

Oluseye

So, the only thing necessary to effectively commandeer McCain's page with my own messaging was to simply replace my own sample image on my server with a newly created sample on my server. No server but my own was touched and no laws were broken. The immaculate hack.

So you knocked-up John McCain, so to speak.

{"commentId":609848,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

#37 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":609861,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

chill

truly excellent ... well done

now if only mccain would really change his intolerant position

{"commentId":609861,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"chill888"}

1 vote

#38 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":609898,"authorDomain":"ultimategfx"}

Mike B

Good job Mike! I wouldn't hesitate in doing this if some (possibly greedy) politician were using my bandwidth for no good reason.

A small note: It's pretty funny to see how Digg is taking this news story. http://digg.com/tech_news/John_McCain_s_MySpace_Page_Hacked

{"commentId":609898,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"ultimategfx"}

3 votes

#39 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:41 PM EDT

{"commentId":609899,"authorDomain":"stacym"}

StacyM

I now have Diet Dr Pepper sprayed all over my keyboard. Thanks for the laugh, even if it now my "G" key is stuck.

{"commentId":609899,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"stacym"}

8 votes

#40 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:42 PM EDT

{"commentId":609906,"authorDomain":"josh"}

josh

But there's no 'G' in Newsvine, so we're all good.

{"commentId":609906,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"josh"}

13 votes

#40.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":609942,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

There's no "I" in Newsvine either, but that doesn't stop "some" people from writing about it as though they run the show.

Still:

All this talk about sprayed liquids and g spots is making it hard to concentrate.

{"commentId":609942,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"brianford"}

8 votes

#40.2 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":609972,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

Soooooo....Diet Dr. Pepper really hits the G spot?

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

{"commentId":609972,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

7 votes

#40.3 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":609977,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

Taking my joke is one thing.

Taking my joke and making it funnier is unacceptable.

{"commentId":609977,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"brianford"}

8 votes

#40.4 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":609980,"authorDomain":"josh"}

josh

There's no "I" in Newsvine either

Well. . there's a lower-case one. Maybe that doesn't count.

Also, there's a 'sinew' and a 'sieve'. Uh. . and a 'ween'.

{"commentId":609980,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"josh"}

5 votes

#40.5 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":610009,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

Well. . there's a lower-case one.

Damnit!

I'm just going to go ahead and blame that on the Scotch.

Despite being at work.

Between that and overlooking the fact that polar bears can swim in Steve's last "Lost in the Vines" column -- this has not been a smart week for me.

{"commentId":610009,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"brianford"}

3 votes

#40.6 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:33 PM EDT

{"commentId":610523,"authorDomain":"grey"}

grey

I now have Diet Dr Pepper sprayed all over my keyboard.

Stacy, please read this comment of mine from elsewhere on the 'vine. That's sort of an odd connection we have, no?

{"commentId":610523,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"grey"}

1 vote

#40.7 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":1638308,"authorDomain":"faruk"}

Faruk Ates

But there's no 'G' in Newsvine, so we're all good.

No, we're all ood.

{"commentId":1638308,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"faruk"}

#40.8 - Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:33 PM EDT

{"commentId":609920,"authorDomain":"scooterdman"}

ScooterDMan

Mike,

You could have goatse'd him, and you didn't. You are a stronger man than me.

{"commentId":609920,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"scooterdman"}

7 votes

#41 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:52 PM EDT

{"commentId":610536,"authorDomain":"grey"}

grey

Than I.
I'm sorry. I can't help myself. I'm Ross. I know it.

{"commentId":610536,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"grey"}

2 votes

#41.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:11 PM EDT

{"commentId":614671,"authorDomain":"teh-roxxorz"}

teh-roxxorz

omg, that's what I do with the pics people steal from my bandwidth: change my html on my site, change the image name, and replace the image they stole with goatse. it's great.

{"commentId":614671,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"teh-roxxorz"}

#41.2 - Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:28 PM EDT

{"commentId":609922,"authorDomain":"dansjunk97"}

dan-136927

Well done. However, let's be honest, you don't do this to furtado in the same situation. Of course it's a little political.

{"commentId":609922,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"dansjunk97"}

#42 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":609943,"authorDomain":"ackarr"}

poolboy

A joke at the expense of a politician (and his minions) is like picking on little children. But funnier that h---. LOL. Mike D is "Da Man'.

{"commentId":609943,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"ackarr"}

#43 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":609952,"authorDomain":"refinish69"}

refinish69

Great JOB!!!!!! I love it.

{"commentId":609952,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"refinish69"}

#44 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:07 PM EDT

{"commentId":609986,"authorDomain":"benoit808"}

Benoit808

I think this is wrong to interfere with a political campaign and to alter a person's words for your own benefit!!!

NAH!! just kiddin' !!! that's awesome!!!

{"commentId":609986,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"benoit808"}

#45 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":610011,"authorDomain":"al-3"}

faust-132915

hilarious...and beautiful

{"commentId":610011,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"al-3"}

#46 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":610014,"authorDomain":"liquado"}

Liquado

Hilarity. Thanks for a laugh today.

{"commentId":610014,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"liquado"}

#47 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":610028,"authorDomain":"slade"}

slade

YOU ARE A GOD!

{"commentId":610028,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"slade"}

#48 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:43 PM EDT

{"commentId":610029,"authorDomain":"jyuma"}

Johnny Yuma

Well done!

I hope the Senator has a sense of humor.

{"commentId":610029,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"jyuma"}

#49 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:44 PM EDT

{"commentId":610497,"authorDomain":"celestina"}

Celestina

If he doesn't, we definitely do not want him for President. He should view it as a test by the very demographic to which he apparently is trying to appeal.

Beautifully done, Mike.

{"commentId":610497,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"celestina"}

1 vote

#49.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":610030,"authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

lauhal

Mike - Please respect the Newsvine Code of Honor and User Agreement regarding advertising and self-promotion. Linking Newsvine readers to your outside blog is a no-no.

HAH! Now what's Calvin gonna do with this?! ;)

{"commentId":610030,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

19 votes

#50 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:44 PM EDT

{"commentId":610138,"authorDomain":"dwing"}

DWing

The Newsvine earnings from this story are going to be HUUUGE.

{"commentId":610138,"threadId":"88549","contentId":"633799","authorDomain":"dwing"}

3 votes

#50.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:33 PM EDT

Jump to discussion page: 1 2 3 4 ... 7

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"88549","isPrivate":false}

Newsvine founder hacks McCain's MySpace page	Daily Kos	Wed Mar 28	0
Mike, You Are On Ananova!	Ananova	Thu Mar 29	0
Sen. McCain's MySpace page commandeered for a 'prank'	Computerworld	Tue Mar 27	7
Seattle Internet CEO 'traps' Sen. McCain	Seattle Post-Intelligencer	Wed Mar 28	0
"Straight-Talk Express" not just for straight people anymore?	Wired News	Tue Mar 27	0

MIKE D.

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Hacking John McCain

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