Hackers from Russia, China & Iran targeting US Presidential campaigns: Microsoft

Tech giant Microsoft said on Thursday that it has detected multiple cyberattacks from hackers in Russia, China and Iran on individuals and organisations involved in ongoing United States Presidential campaigns.

"In recent weeks, Microsoft has detected cyberattacks targeting people and organisations involved in upcoming presidential election, including unsuccessful attacks on people associated with both Trump and Biden campaigns. activity we are anuncing today makes clear that foreign activity groups have stepped up ir efforts targeting 2020 election as had been anticipated," company said on its blog.

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Revealing names of hacking groups, Microsoft said that - Strontium, Zirconium and Phosphorus operate from Russia, China and Iran, respectively. More than 200 Strontium targets are consultants based in US serving Republicans and Democrats, think tanks, national and state political party organisations in America as well as political parties in UK.

Microsoft said that Strontium is identified in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report as an organisation primarily responsible for alleged attacks on Democratic presidential campaign in 2016.

"Microsoft's Threat Intelligence Centre (MSTIC) has observed a series of attacks conducted by Strontium between September 2019 and today," company said.

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Hackers target high-profile individuals

Russia has repeatedly denied interfering in US political system, saying that allegation was invented to excuse Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's loss in 2016 election and to divert public attention from real issues of election fraud and corruption.

Microsoft said that China's Zirconium attacked high-profile individuals involved in polls, including people associated with Democratic minee Joe Biden's campaign and or prominent leaders in international affairs community. On or hand, Iran's Phosphorus continues to attack personal accounts of people associated with President Donald Trump's campaign, it said.

Microsoft said that majority of attacks were detected and obstructed by security tools built in its products, adding that it has tified those who were targeted so y can take action to protect mselves.

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