Iranian Hackers Target US Election Websites, Says Microsoft
Iranian hackers linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, called Cotton Sandstorm, are probing US election websites and media sources ahead of the elections, Microsoft reported. The group has analyzed multiple swing state election websites and scanned a news outlet for vulnerabilities, possibly preparing for influence operations. This activity follows their 2020 attempt to create election chaos by sending threatening emails posing as the Proud Boys and inciting violence, although they did not affect voting systems. Iran denies these accusations. The US intelligence office hasn't commented.
According to a Microsoft blog, an Iranian hacking group known as Cotton Sandstorm, linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is actively investigating US election-related websites and media as election day approaches.
The group conducted reconnaissance on multiple election-related websites in various unidentified swing states and scanned a US news outlet in May. Experts predict an increase in their activity, given their history of election interference.
This group attempted a cyber-enabled influence operation in 2020 by sending threatening emails to Florida voters, posing as the 'Proud Boys' to incite chaos and doubt, although they did not compromise voting systems.
Iran has dismissed the allegations as baseless.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has not commented on the current situation.