Iranians are creating fake news websites and impersonating activists to create chaos in the U.S., Microsoft found

Iranian actors have also spent recent months creating fake news sites and impersonating activists, paving the way for further division. likely to influence american voters This fall, especially in swing states, the tech giant found itself.

Findings from Microsoft’s latest threat intelligence report show how Iran, which has been Active in the last US elections, Iran is developing tactics for another election likely to have global implications. The report goes beyond anything previously disclosed by U.S. intelligence officials, providing specific examples of Iranian groups and actions they have taken so far. Iran’s mission to the United Nations has denied that it has plans to interfere or conduct cyberattacks in the U.S. presidential election.

The report did not specify Iran’s intentions beyond sowing chaos in the United States, although US officials have previously suggested that Iran was particularly opposed to former President Donald Trump. US officials have also expressed concern about Tehran’s efforts to retaliate against Iran. Strike on Iranian general in 2020 Trump ordered it. And this week, the Justice Department unveiled criminal charges against a Pakistani man with ties to Iran who allegedly committed war crimes. Assassination plots targeting multiple officialsincluding Trump, most likely.

The report also reveals how Russia and China are exploiting political polarization in the United States to advance their divisive messages in a key election year.

Microsoft’s report identified four examples of recent Iranian activity that the company expects to increase as the November election approaches.

First, a group linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps in June targeted a senior U.S. presidential campaign official with a phishing email, a form of cyberattack often used to gather sensitive information, according to the report, which did not identify the targeted campaign. Microsoft said the group disguised the email’s origins by sending it from a hacked email account belonging to a former senior adviser.

Days later, the Iranian group tried to log into an account belonging to a former presidential candidate but was unsuccessful, according to the Microsoft report. The company notified the people who were targeted.

In a separate example, an Iranian group created websites impersonating American news sites aimed at voters on both sides of the political spectrum, the report said.

One fake news site that caters to a left-leaning audience insults Trump by calling him “crazy” and suggesting he uses drugs, the report said. Another site, which aims to attract Republican readers, focuses on LGBT issues and gender confirmation surgery.

A third example cited by Microsoft is that Iranian groups are impersonating American activists, which could pave the way for influence operations as the election approaches.

Finally, the report said another Iranian group in May hacked an account belonging to a government employee in a swing state. It was not clear whether the cyberattack was linked to the election interference effort.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations emailed a statement to The Associated Press: “Iran has been the victim of numerous offensive cyber operations targeting its infrastructure, public services, and industries. Iran’s cyber capabilities are defensive and proportionate to the threats it faces. Iran has no intention or plans to conduct cyber attacks. The U.S. presidential election is an internal matter in which Iran has no interference.”

As Iran escalates its cyber influence, Russian-linked actors have also shifted their influence campaigns to focus on the U.S. election, while Chinese Communist Party-linked actors have exploited pro-Palestinian university protests and other ongoing events in the United States to try to inflame U.S. political tensions, the Microsoft report said.

Microsoft said it continued to monitor how foreign adversaries responded to its attacks. Using Generative AI TechnologyIncreasingly cheap and accessible tools can generate life-like fake photos, videos and images in seconds, prompting some experts to worry that they could be used as a weapon. misleading voters This election cycle.

While several countries have experimented with AI in their influence operations, the firm said these efforts have not had much impact so far. As a result, the report said, “some actors have reverted to techniques that have proven effective in the past — simple digital manipulation, distorting content, and using trusted labels or logos over false information.”

Microsoft’s report is in line with recent warnings from US intelligence officials, who say America’s enemies appear intent on spreading false and controversial claims online ahead of the November vote.

Senior intelligence officials said last month that Russia remains the biggest threat when it comes to election disinformation, while there are signs that Iran is expanding its efforts and China is treading cautiously when it comes to 2024.

Iran’s efforts appear aimed at undermining candidates seen as more likely to increase tensions with Tehran. Officials saidThis is the description that fits Trump, whose administration has been… The nuclear deal with Iran is over.And re-imposed sanctions and ordered Iran’s top general killed.

The influence efforts also coincide with a time of high tensions between Iran and Israel, whose military occupies the United States. Strongly supports.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said last month that the Iranian government Secretly supporting US protests Regarding Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Groups linked to Iran have posed as activists online, encouraging Protests It has provided financial support to some protest groups, Heinz said.

America’s enemies, including Iran, have a long history of seeking to influence U.S. elections. In 2020, Iran-linked groups Intelligence officials said the CIA sent emails to Democratic voters in an apparent attempt to influence their votes.

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Associated Press writers David Klepper and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.

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