Sep 18, 2024 11:55:00

Microsoft warns that Russia is spreading fake videos aimed at discrediting Vice President Harris

As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, Vice President Kamala Harris's camp and former President Donald Trump's camp are in fierce competition, while other countries are also working behind the scenes to create an advantageous situation for themselves. It has already been reported that

Iran has targeted the Trump camp , while Microsoft has reported that Russia has been conducting cyber attacks against the Harris camp.

Russian election interference efforts focus on the Harris-Walz campaign - Microsoft On the Issues
https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2024/09/17/russian-election-interference-efforts-focus-on-the-harris-walz-campaign/

Russia amplifies disinformation campaigns against Harris-Walz campaign, Microsoft warns

https://www.axios.com/2024/09/17/harris-elections-russia-disinformation-microsoft

According to Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center, Russian activities surrounding the 2024 presidential election were temporarily unclear after President Biden dropped out of the election campaign, but in late August 2024, fake videos aimed at discrediting Vice President Kamala Harris began to spread.

Specifically, the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center reports on the cases of closely tracked attackers “Storm-1516” and “Storm-1679.”

Storm-1516 reportedly created and distributed fake videos of Harris supporters attacking Trump rally attendees, as well as a fake video in which an actor claimed Harris was involved in a hit-and-run, the latter of which was circulated through sites posing as local San Francisco media outlets.

Storm-1679 also created and distributed a fake video depicting a New York City billboard promoting false claims about Harris' policies. The video was published on Telegram and then reposted on X (formerly Twitter), where it was viewed more than 100,000 times in four hours.

Attacks are expected to intensify as the election approaches, and Microsoft has disabled more than 20 email addresses created by sanctioned government entities in an effort to protect the presidential election from foreign influence.

Additionally, attacks are not limited to Iran and Russia, as a China-linked activist identified as Storm-1852 has begun producing short films critical of the Biden administration and Harris' campaign.

Microsoft said it does not endorse any particular candidate or political party, but said it would continue to publish reports to help protect the government from all forms of foreign interference.