I would assume that most are not.  The stuff the makes the news seems to be the hacking of things like the Pentagon or CIA's web page.  I have my doubts as to those servers being on the network as the servers that contain, oh say nuclear launch codes

 

Also, the decoy thing is probably a distinct possibility.  Put wrong information out there or just systems to test "the other sides" cyber warfare capabilities.

  I agree  ..most  Classified  networks  would  not  be directly  connected to the internet......most US government  don't have disk  drives  or USB  ports  for that reason....

I'd think thats along the lines of urban myth.  I beleive people have been looking at using power lines as broadband carriers but last I heard the technology was pretty sketchy.  Beyond that, I beleive it requires specialized equipment at the computer end (at the very least) to utalize it.  Even with the assumption that it was possible without this equipment, I have my doubts that it would work in a server room operating on a UPS. (although, I'm not an electrical engineer or expert hacker)

Now there are ways to read electrical impulses from keyboard strokes and I've read stuff on being able to pull screen images from monitors at a distance.  That being said, the government is aware of these things and I beleive put in place what they call "TEMPEST" standards.  From my understanding (and its pretty limited) is that they use these standards / methods to reduce or shield electronic radiation from things like microchips, monitors, printers, etc.  Some high security standards I think include turning a computer room (or entire building) into a sort of Faraday Cage to shield electronic signals.    

 

Again though, I claim no experise in this.  My knowledge on this is subject is mostly things I've picked up in reading about IT security.

Classified computers are connected to the internet because the bureaucrats want to be able to gamble, download music and play fantasy sports while protecting the country and spying on Americans.

I don't know enough to say that classified LANs/Wans/whatever they're called--for example, SIPRNet and JWICS--are not "connected" to the internet, but I do know from personal experience that it is impossible for users to access the internet from PCs connected to those classified networks.  I'm pretty sure some if not all classified networks operate on dedicated hardware that is physically isolated from the communication paths used for the internet.

 

Everyone needs to always remember whenever reading anything about IT security that people writing articles like this frequently use words like "confidential information" or "secret data" to merely refer to stuff we wish didn't fall into the wrong hands but in reality is not technically labeled as "classified" information by a classification authority.  I suspect this article is a prime example of this type of lax use of the word "secret."

Classified computers are connected to the internet because the bureaucrats want to be able to gamble, download music and play fantasy sports while protecting the country and spying on Americans.

 

Connecting to the 'net is not the problem...  Security is the issue.

 

I am reminded of former CIA Director John Deutch who put "classified" data on his home PC.  This little breach of security was discovered along with porn and links to several hardcore websites - all blamed on Deutch's kid of course.

 

Then there is the case of Aldrich Ames who could not copy data from his classified CIA computer to sell to the Russians.  His system was wired only to the CIA network and had no disk drive.  So he took a mini-camera to work and snapped pictures of the screen.

 

Finally, the GAO tested the security of FAA flight control computers by sending a guy with a clipboard into one of the main data centers.  He was not challenged and managed to find a terminal with the log-in ID and password taped to the bottom of the keyboard.  A similar event happened at the State Dept. in M. Albright's own office.  Just walk in and sign on.

 

Clearly, there are ways around security - some of which are non-IT tricks.  Then there is stupid - something we all have to fight every day.