Recently, Microsoft released a report indicating that Iran is intensifying its use of cyber influence operations and generative artificial intelligence to manipulate the 2024 US Presidential election. According to the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MTAC), Iran's cyber activities have been increasing since June of this year, with a particular focus on shaping influence operations targeting US objectives, including cyber reconnaissance and infiltrating online communities and websites.
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The report mentions that multiple Iranian organizations are involved in these activities. The group known as "Sefid Flood" has been preparing for influence operations since the Iranian New Year, primarily by impersonating social and political activists to create chaos and undermine public trust in authorities. Another group linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, "Mint Sandstorm," conducted a phishing attack in June against a senior campaign staff member of a presidential candidate, a tactic also seen during the 2020 election.
Notably, Microsoft also discovered a network called "Storm-2035," which operates four fake news websites targeting voters of different political persuasions in the US, spreading highly divisive information about presidential candidates, LGBTQ rights, and the war in Ukraine. They use AI services to plagiarize and rewrite content from US publications and generate article titles and keywords through SEO plugins and other AI tools.
However, Microsoft points out that although these cyber actors attempt to use generative AI for content creation, their impact is limited, and many organizations are turning back to more traditional and effective methods, such as simple digital manipulation, content misdirection, and using credible labels or logos on false information. Therefore, fully automated political influence operations have not yet been realized, and generative AI is more often used to support and amplify these activities.
Key Points:
🌐 Countries like Iran are using generative AI for cyber interference, targeting the 2024 US Presidential election.
🔍 Microsoft warns that multiple Iranian organizations are implementing influence operations through impersonating activists and phishing attacks.
🎥 Despite attempts to use AI technology, many cyber actors are returning to traditional methods, finding simple digital manipulation more effective.