Microsoft issued a report warning that Iran is using cyber influence operations and generative artificial intelligence to interfere in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The report pointed out that multiple Iranian organizations are adopting a variety of strategies, including impersonating social and political activists, conducting phishing attacks, and spreading false information, in an attempt to manipulate U.S. public opinion and influence election results. These actions have increased since June this year. They have clear goals and diverse means and deserve great attention. Microsoft also emphasized that although Iran attempts to utilize AI technology, many organizations still prefer to use traditional and efficient network intervention methods.
Recently, Microsoft released a report stating that Iran is stepping up its use of cyber influence operations and generative artificial intelligence with the intention of controlling the 2024 U.S. presidential election. According to analysis by the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), Iran's cyber activities have been increasing since June this year, especially influence operations targeting US targets are gradually taking shape, including network reconnaissance and penetration of online people and websites.
Picture source note: The picture is generated by AI, and the picture authorization service provider Midjourney
The report mentioned that multiple organizations in Iran are involved in these activities. Among them, a group called "Sefid Flood" has been preparing influence operations since the Iranian New Year. Their strategy is mainly to impersonate social and political activists to create chaos and undermine public trust in the authorities. Another "Mint Sandstorm" group related to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards carried out a phishing attack on a senior presidential campaign staffer in June. Such attacks also appeared during the 2020 election.
Notably, Microsoft also discovered a network called "Storm-2035" that operates four fake news websites that specifically target voters of different political affiliations in the United States and spread information about presidential candidates, LGBTQ rights, and the war in Ukraine Very divisive information. They also use AI services to plagiarize and rewrite content from US publications, and generate article titles and keywords through SEO plug-ins and other AI tools.
However, Microsoft pointed out that although these network participants have tried to use generative artificial intelligence for content creation, their impact has been limited. Many organizations have begun to turn to more traditional and effective means, such as simple digital manipulation, content misleading and the use of false information. Trustworthy label or logo. As a result, fully automated political influence operations have yet to be achieved, and generative AI is used more to support and amplify these activities.
Highlight:
? Countries such as Iran use generative artificial intelligence to conduct cyber interference and target the 2024 US presidential election.
Microsoft warns that multiple Iranian groups are conducting influence operations through impersonation of activists and phishing attacks.
? Despite attempts to use AI technology, many network participants still fall back on traditional means, believing that simple digital manipulation is more effective.
Microsoft's report is a wake-up call for the upcoming U.S. presidential election, reminding us to be wary of the threats of cyber interference and disinformation. Responding to sophisticated cyberattacks requires multi-party cooperation and sustained efforts to maintain the fairness and justice of elections.