The prior hack of Poliniex was only in the early moments thought to be of the exchange fault, but it was actually based on a problem on the CounterParty code itself.
Here is the official thread discussing CounterParty protocol, client and coin and whatever else can be relevant on the subject; Thread that I was in and reading as the discussions were moving from subject to subject, and while there were discussions on the table on how formulate a safety net by using some underwriting and the issues of trusting Poloniex as the 'de facto' main centralized exchange for XCP and the risks in case of them or other future centralized exchanges defaulting in bankruptcy, or the safeguard for the like of a crash in the XCP prices.... one person posted about big dumps of XPC on the actual Poloniex exchange. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=395761.msg5237047#msg5237047

At first was even thought to be a typing mistake by a "fat finger" trader.

Here, ironically before the event happened, another person was hoping for a panic XCP sell for an old bug in the code, so he could enter the market cheap: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=395761.3540

This link above make for a very interesting read, that you should all partake, as it is ironical and very, very weird on the many coincidences.... or... are they not such?!.

And here less interesting, but still necessary for the sake of proof of my telling, it is the announce for the code fix made to resolve that security vulnerability of CounterParty code: https://forums.counterparty.co/index.php?topic=116.msg672#msg672

+1


... and another +1

Excellent!

I see your point and I read many article, during the years, trying to demonize in one way or the other crypto-currencies, but one of the points that got my attention in this one, is the possibility of external forces trying to alter it and control it.

We already know that the currency is now considered 'like money' by many government including the US, even if for the sole purpose of regulating on it.
We also know that NSA is building a mega data centers and ultra fast computer (ex.: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/03/ff_nsadatacenter/all/, http://nsa.gov1.info/utah-data-center/)
While we also know that China has the most powerful (as for now: http://www.top500.org/blog/lists/2013/11/press-release/) and we may assume that it will build even one more powerful soon, perhaps beating the projected NSA one.
We know that most of the main critical internet nodes are in the hand of few controllers.

My point been, if those resources fall in control of the wrong hands with a dark agenda, they could always filter the packets of the BitCoin network and even shutdown/cripple the internet for a while, allowing only whichever communication they want through the a side network, perhaps encrypted.
And with that processing power, once the network is controlled and purposely filtered, it would skew the block-chain.

What would be the network defense? Create an emergency ad-oc WiFi cell network? Like a wireless mesh, or WDS, or  over radio ham packet radio??
How would be decided which one are the legitimate peers?
Would there be a response?

... Or would it succumb and everybody looses?... except the attacker!

I came across to this article of which I don't think much because is not really anything new, but the replies to it are actually interesting.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/opinion/nobody-right-mind-get-bitcoin-right-now/

[2013-12-10] GlobalResearch.ca - Will Digital Currency Replace the US Dollar? Wall Street Strategy to Make Bitcoin the Global Currency?
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=413293

Interesing point of view...
... with a little of conspiracy theory undertones, but that could actually happen!!

http://www.globalresearch.ca/will-digital-currency-replace-the-us-dollar-wall-street-strategy-to-make-bitcoin-the-global-currency/5361021

The all article is interesting, and I would like to start some discussion on the points it brings up, starting with:

I thing in here and in the other forum post also about format, it should be clarified once more, that the date to use should be that of the actual original article publishing date and not the member posting date like many are keep doing.

I know the previous answer said it's normal... but to me it seems off.
I have multiple rigs with multiple cards and what I can say is that the hash rate fluctuate especially depending on your stats refresh rate.
But if you look at the average rate it should even as you move over a longer period of time.
Try to run some tests per single card, like run only one card at a time over 5 to 10 minutes and see what the average is for that card running single.
Then run all the cards for 5 to 10 minutes and compare to see if the average is very different.
Also note if the "problem" (a card is slower) happens always on the same card or varies or not happens at all when they run single.
If same card has the "problem" then switch the slots and power cable and do it again.
It could be the slot, or power related.

Where you going to post the results of that investment?