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Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Iranian Hacker Group Targets U.S. Election Websites, Microsoft Warns

Caption: Iranian Hacker Group Targets U.S. Election Websites, Microsoft Warns. An Iranian hacking group, known as "Cotton Sandstorm" and linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has been monitoring U.S. election-related websites and media outlets, according to a Microsoft report. The activity includes reconnaissance and probing of election sites in battleground states and scanning a U.S. news outlet for vulnerabilities in May. This is seen as preparation for potential "direct influence operations" as the November 5 election approaches. Cotton Sandstorm has a history of election interference, including efforts in 2020 that aimed to create chaos and confusion. The hacking group previously posed as the "Proud Boys," sending threatening emails to Florida residents before the last U.S. presidential election. They also released a video in 2020 showing attempts to breach election systems, aiming to sow doubt among voters. Following the 2020 election, Cotton Sandstorm encouraged violence against U.S. election officials who disputed voter fraud claims. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has warned of foreign actors, including Iran, trying to undermine U.S. democracy by promoting divisive narratives. Iran’s mission to the United Nations has denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless and insisting on Iran's neutrality in U.S. elections. U.S. officials are closely monitoring such threats as Election Day draws near, seeking to secure the integrity of the electoral process. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT

Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,News,Iranian,Iran,Hacker,Group,Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,Cotton Sandstorm,US,Elections,United States,USA,Elections 2024,Scanning,Election Day

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