Microsoft warns of threat actors ahead of US election

Just weeks ahead of the looming US presidential election, the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) has warned that threat actors have been observed integrating generative AI into election influence efforts.

On Wednesday (October 23) the company shared its findings, as they say, that “sustained influence efforts by Russia, Iran, and China aimed at undermining U.S. democratic processes” have reportedly been seen.

The company has previously commented on efforts from threat actors and they now say the US government has taken several actions since its last two reports.

Russian threat actors were observed integrating generative AI into their US election influence efforts, while Chinese influence operations have recently taken a new turn shifting focus to several down-ballot candidates and members of Congress. https://t.co/kMCjExlrRF

— Microsoft Threat Intelligence (@MsftSecIntel) October 23, 2024

“Most recently, that includes revealing malicious Iranian cyber actors’ sending of “stolen, non-public material from former President Trump’s campaign” to both individuals then associated with President Biden’s campaign and U.S. media organizations, and the indictment of three Iranian actors for the hack-and-leak operation targeting the Trump-Vance campaign,” writes the general manager of the MTAC Clint Watts.

The technology giant’s threat analysis team also suggests Russian actors continue to integrate generative AI into their content and are reported to have “attempted to target the Harris-Walz campaign by attacking the candidates’ characters.”

The team says Iranian groups are ramping up their preparations to enable cyber-influence operations and Chinese actors are alleged to have shifted their focus to several down-ballot candidates and members of Congress.

According to Microsoft, history suggests that foreign actors’ ability to rapidly distribute deception content can have a significant impact on public perception and electoral outcomes.

With this in mind, the MTAC has warned that voters, government institutions, candidates, and parties must remain vigilant against deceptive and suspicious activity online – especially in the 48 hours before and after Election Day.

The manager Clint Watts says they “expect Russia, Iran, and China to continue their efforts, including using AI, and may employ tactics that seek to cast doubt about the integrity of the election’s outcome.”

The team will be monitoring the activity and provide public updates, as they urge people to remain on high alert for online threats.

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

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