Iran Increases Cyber Activity Meant To Sway US Voters Ahead Of Election, Microsoft Warns

Iran has increased cyber operations that may be geared towards influencing the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Microsoft warned in a threat intelligence report Friday.

The tech giant claimed that cyber activity from Iran has been increasing over the past several months, with foreign groups attempting to weaponize artificial intelligence and other scams in efforts geared explicitly towards election interference, according to the report. Iranian groups have allegedly created several news sites fronting as American outlets targeting specific voting groups and feeding divisive information that appears to be aimed at increasing tensions in the election.

“Over the past several months, we have seen the emergence of significant influence activity by Iranian actors,” Microsoft stated in the report. “Looking forward, we expect Iranian actors will employ cyberattacks against institutions and candidates while simultaneously intensifying their efforts to amplify existing divisive issues within the US, like racial tensions, economic disparities, and gender-related issues.”

One news site called Nio Thinker is filled with content targeting former president Donald Trump and is geared towards left-leaning audiences, referring to the Republican nominee as an “opioid-pilled elephant in the MAGA china shop” and a “raving mad litigiosaur,” according to the report. Microsoft also identified the Savannah Time, which focuses on gender identity issues and calls itself a “trusted source for conservative news in the vibrant city of Savannah.”

Another Iranian group is believed to be preparing for “activities that are even more extreme, including intimidation or inciting violence against political figures or groups, with the ultimate goals of inciting chaos, undermining authorities, and sowing doubt about election integrity,” Microsoft said. The group has been setting up efforts since March, according to Microsoft.