Microsoft claims Iran-linked hacker groups attempted to target the US election

Microsoft has reported that Iranian hacker groups are allegedly attempting to interfere in the 2024 U.S. presidential election through various means. According to their findings, these groups are involved in setting up covert news websites and engaging in phishing activities. The goal appears to be influencing U.S. voters and gathering intelligence.

The report highlights that one group has created fake news sites targeting both ends of the political spectrum, using provocative language and focusing on controversial topics to sway public opinion. These sites have been found to use artificial intelligence to generate misleading content that mimics U.S. media outlets.

Another Iranian group, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), attempted to hack into the email account of a high-ranking presidential campaign official earlier this summer. This phishing attempt was unsuccessful, and the target has been alerted. Additionally, another Iranian group has been involved in compromising accounts of county-level government employees in swing states, focusing on strategic intelligence collection related to satellite, defense, and health sectors.

Microsoft’s report lists six Iranian actors associated with these election interference activities, mostly involving hacking. In response to these claims, Iran’s mission to the United Nations has denied any involvement in interfering with the U.S. election.