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Of: Emelie Svensson
Published:
NEW YORK. The US elections are under attack by secret groups in various countries.
Now information technology giant Microsoft is warning of further attempts to create chaos.
“We’re ready,” Joe Biden’s staff said.
It is a veritable torch of fire that Microsoft is throwing at the already unstable US electoral movement. The country is embroiled in a painful debate over whether to avoid fraud in the extensive vote-by-mail that will take place due to the pandemic.
The final result of the election, which will take place in less than two months, is expected to be delayed as a record number of people will close the polling station and send their vote by mail instead. It opens up opportunities to wreak havoc with disinformation campaigns, as the US intelligence service has already warned.
Photo: Carolyn Kaster / TT
Russian woman accused
Social unrest with the ravages and protests of the pandemic and riots over police violence and discrimination is also believed to be exploited by foreign groups trying in all ways to create political instability in the United States for their own ends.
A Russian woman has already been indicted by the US Department of Justice for “a comprehensive plan to challenge the US political process.” After promotional campaigns during the 2018 midterm elections.
Now, information technology giant Microsoft announces that it has uncovered numerous attempts by foreign hackers to influence the outcome of this year’s fight between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. These are groups of hackers operating from China, Russia, and Iran. They have been exposed for trying to break into both political campaigns.
“The activity we are announcing today clearly shows that foreign groups have stepped up their efforts to influence the 2020 elections,” Microsoft warns on its website.
The same group of Russian hackers that was held responsible for the attacks on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton four years ago is said to be still active. And this time, the group has targeted both Democrats and Republicans.
Photo: Evan Vucci / TT
Donald Trump.
Three groups stand out
Microsoft claims that the Russians’ tactics have been developing since 2016 and include so-called automated “brute force” attacks, where they obtain passwords for different accounts through different algorithms.
The attacks are divided into three groups, all domiciled in different countries:
Strontium. The Russian hacking group, which according to the report has targeted more than 200 organizations. These are political consultants, poll workers, national party organizations, and lobbyists from both parties. It is also about organizations in Europe.
Zirconium. Chinese hackers are said to have carried out a cyber attack on individuals within the Joe Biden campaign and at least one person previously associated with the Donald Trump administration.
Phosphorous. Between May and June 2020, the Iranian group is said to have attempted to log into accounts belonging to officials within the Trump administration and among its campaign staff, but without success.
The US intelligence service has previously said it has evidence that Russia in particular is trying to influence the election to the detriment of Joe Biden. Additionally, Facebook and Twitter announced last week that they are closing accounts that they believe are part of a Russian influence campaign to influence Americans. Also a rerun of 2016.
Warns of more chaos
Microsoft says that most of these attacks have been stopped. The computer company is said to have warned those exposed to the attacks and informed the US intelligence service.
“We have understood from the beginning of the electoral campaign that we would be the target of such attacks and we are prepared for them. The Biden campaign takes cybersecurity seriously and we will continue to be aware of these threats, “writes Joe Biden’s staff in a statement.
Microsoft is now urging US election officials to increase security and prepare for more attempts to wreak havoc ahead of Election Day on November 3.
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