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dailynewswebsite · 3 years

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Will Russia influence the American vote?

As American voters forged their ballots, they’re additionally being focused with international disinformation. Mark Makela/Getty Photos

The concept that somebody just lately tried to affect Individuals to vote for a specific candidate by sending them threatening emails might sound outlandish – as would possibly federal officers’ allegation that the Iranian authorities is behind these messages.

However U.S. voters ought to put together for much more unusual and surprising examples of data warfare that manipulate, distort or destroy election-related info between now and Election Day – and maybe past that, relying on whether or not there are questions on who might have received the presidency.

Since 2016, Individuals have realized that international pursuits try and have an effect on the outcomes of presidential elections, together with with social media postings and tv adverts.

As a scholar of Russian cyber operations, I do know different nations, and Russia particularly, will go to excessive measures to affect folks and destabilize democracy within the U.S. and elsewhere.

Be on guard

Here’s what to look out for.

Different measures the Russians may nonetheless take embrace bulletins geared toward influencing the vote, reminiscent of leaked emails and paperwork that might not be genuine.

Additionally, look ahead to claims that hackers have gained entry to, or manipulated, state or native election techniques. It doesn’t need to be true for folks to change into fearful, unsure and untrusting of election outcomes.

Be ready to see ransomware assaults – software program that seizes management of key computer systems and calls for a ransom to unlock the system – on precincts in key battleground states, which can not purpose to change the vote, however reasonably stall the vote rely and certification. A mid-October ransomware assault on Corridor County, Georgia, authorities networks interrupted telephone service and a few laptop techniques, together with a database used to confirm voters’ signatures.

Something can occur – however Individuals will be able to skeptically and critically look at any bulletins of tried, or claims of profitable, election interference.

Russian authorities brokers interfered with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and are poised to take action once more. FBI

Deceptive propaganda

The actual aim of data warriors – irrespective of the place they’re from, even past Russia and Iran – is to make it exhausting for Individuals to know what’s actual.

In 2016, as an illustration, Russian disinformation operations created pretend social media accounts claiming to be U.S. residents, in hopes of spreading political division and battle. They portrayed Hillary Clinton as weak and corrupt, which broken her help amongst voters.

On this election cycle, the knowledge warfare is extra subtle. Russian-made propaganda has portrayed Joe Biden as incompetent and corrupt – however has additionally claimed that U.S. democracy is failing. Examples embrace an episode on a Kremlin-controlled Sputnik present titled “How a lot cash to purchase the presidency? Bloomberg tries to seek out out” and an episode known as “Iowa Caucus Chaos: Individuals are Shedding Confidence in Election Outcomes” on its sibling Russia Right this moment video community. These retailers can be found throughout the U.S. on radio, cable and satellite tv for pc TV techniques, and on-line – together with on conservative web sites.

Russian info warriors are impersonating actual advocacy teams. They even created a now-defunct information web site named Peace Information, which used pretend names and images for its editors, however employed unsuspecting actual journalists as freelancers and ordered them to jot down tales important of Biden, discussing corruption, abuse of energy and human rights violations.

A number of the tales had been additionally hostile to Trump, which signifies that the primary aim stays to sow division in the USA.

A constructing in St. Petersburg, Russia, the place U.S. officers allege Russian trolls labored to intrude with the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Voice of America by way of Wikimedia Commons

Seen responses

Thankfully, companies, federal cybersecurity officers and intelligence leaders are signaling that they’re extra prepared than they had been in 2016 to sound the alarm about international interference within the U.S. presidential election.

As an example, in August, the Nationwide Safety Company warned the cybsersecurity group about malicious software program written by the Russian navy, together with particulars of the navy unit concerned, in addition to recommendation on how system directors can defend their networks and servers.

And in September, Microsoft reported {that a} Russian hacking group has tried to intrude into the digital information of not less than 200 organizations tied to the 2020 U.S. election. It focused political campaigns, advocacy teams, events and political consultants. Affiliated with Russian navy intelligence, this is similar group that hacked and leaked damaging Democratic Occasion emails in 2016.

In late October, Director of Nationwide Intelligence John Ratcliffe and FBI Director Christopher Wray alleged that Russia and Iran had obtained U.S. voter registration info, not less than a few of which is publicly accessible. In addition they claimed – with out providing proof – that Iran is accountable for sending threatening emails to voters in as many as 4 states, together with Florida and Alaska, that reportedly mentioned “You’ll vote for Trump on Election Day or we are going to come after you.”

Huge expertise platforms have additionally taken steps to struggle disinformation. Fb took down a community of faux accounts linked to Russian navy intelligence. Fb won’t publish political adverts within the week week earlier than Election Day and Google will reject all election-related adverts after Election Day to stop false claims.

Twitter has additionally shut down accounts that it may reliably attribute to Russian-sponsored entities. And Twitter has sought to sluggish the unfold of posts by limiting retweeting – although that has involved Republicans, who worry this measure will stifle conservatives’ speech.

U.S. officers make a presentation about international info warfare.

Put up-vote chaos

The week after Election Day may very well be unstable, particularly if mail-in ballots are sluggish to be counted and outcomes seem to vary because the rely continues.

Russia may use social media accounts that haven’t but been detected to push studies of voter suppression or poll fraud, making an attempt to persuade the general public that election outcomes are in some way inaccurate. U.S. Cyber Command would possibly take Russian troll servers offline, because it did throughout the 2018 U.S. midterm election.

In the meantime, voters can defend themselves by being skeptical of pressing or alarming claims in on-line media, and by remembering that they could be targets of disinformation campaigns. U.S. safety company efforts would possibly cease Russia from altering the vote rely, however sowing discord about its integrity may very well be sufficient to serve Russia’s aim of undermining democracy.

[Expertise in your inbox. Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter and get expert takes on today’s news, every day.]

Scott Jasper doesn’t work for, seek the advice of, personal shares in or obtain funding from any firm or group that may profit from this text, and has disclosed no related affiliations past their educational appointment.

from Growth News https://growthnews.in/will-russia-influence-the-american-vote/ via https://growthnews.in

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techcrunchappcom · 4 years

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New Post has been published on https://techcrunchapp.com/fbi-says-iran-behind-threatening-emails-sent-to-florida-democrats/

FBI says Iran behind threatening emails sent to Florida Democrats

Iranian intelligence was responsible for a recent campaign of emails sent to intimidate Florida voters, the FBI announced Wednesday night, adding that Russia was also working to influence the election.

The emails, which ominously instructed Democratic voters in Florida to switch to the Republican Party, purported to come from the Proud Boys, the right-wing group of Trump supporters that became a flashpoint during the first presidential debate.

But the emails were actually “spoofed” and had been designed “to incite social unrest and damage President Trump,” said John Ratcliffe, the director of national intelligence. Ratcliffe did not explain how the emails were damaging to Trump, because they were urging Democrats to switch to the Republican Party.

Ratcliffe didn’t provide any evidence for the attribution.

Many states, including Florida, make voters’ information, including their names and party affiliations, easily accessible to members of the public who request it.

Both Iran and Russia had obtained some Americans’ voter registration information, Ratcliffe said.

In the same news conference, FBI Director Christopher Wray said there was still no way for Iranian or Russian intelligence to change Americans’ votes.

“You should be confident that your vote counts,” Wray said.

Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics

Iran has increased its online influence operations in recent years, often following Russia’s playbook to create partisan news sites that support the Iranian government’s worldview — like opposition to Israel and Trump — with little traction.

But this operation, a more active trick to falsely accuse some of Trump’s most infamous supporters, represents a new front for Iranian operations, said John Hultquist, who heads intelligence analysis at the cybersecurity company Mandiant.

“This incident marks a fundamental shift in our understanding of Iran’s willingness to interfere in the democratic process,” Hultquist said in an email. “While many of their operations have been focused on promoting propaganda in pursuit of Iran’s interests, this incident is clearly aimed at undermining voter confidence.”

U.S. election officials have repeatedly said the measures the government has taken ahead of the 2020 election in response to Russia’s interference in the 2016 election will make this the most secure in modern history.

Kevin Collier

Kevin Collier is a cybersecurity reporter based in New York City.

#behind #democrats #emails #florida #threatening #Technology

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malenipshadows · 3 years

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+ The House of Representatives voted 412-12 on Wednesday (3-17-2021) to award the Congressional Gold Medal to U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department officers who protected lawmakers when a mob breached the U.S. Capitol Building more than two months ago. + A dozen Republicans voted not to award the medal to law enforcement officers who protected the Capitol from the rioters. That's two more votes than the 10 GOP members who voted to impeach Tr*mp for urging supporters to "stop the steal" of the 2020 president election and disrupt a joint session of Congress to certify President Joe Biden's victory. ... + The 12 votes against the resolution were Louie Gohmert, Michael Cloud and Lance Gooden of Texas; Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andrew Clyde of Georgia; Matt Gaetz and Greg Steube of Florida; Andy Biggs of Arizona; Thomas Massie of Kentucky; Andy Harris of Maryland; Bob Good of Virginia; and John Rose of Tennessee. + The vote demonstrates how the framing of the attack on the Capitol is still a political flashpoint for lawmakers, despite the risks law enforcement took that day to protect Congress. Three police officers died following the attack.

#tr*mp lies constantly #bogus claims of 2020 U.S. presidential election fraud #u.s. capitol siege #Tr*mp foments U.S. Capitol riots #Tr*mp foments insurrection at U.S. Capitol #Capitol police awarded U.S. congressional honors #GOP hypocrisy #some GOP opposed Capitol police honors #GOP sycophants #Tr*mp an embarrassment to the USA #Tr*mp and Russian propaganda #Iran & Russia aim to influence 2020 U.S. presidential election #Drumpf is Putin's best weapon against democracy #Putin's puppet #tr*mp WH most corrupt regime in U.S. history #Tr*mp impeached 2x as U.S. president

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omgstupendousbouquetbasement · 4 years

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Top US Intelligence Official Ends In-Person Election Security Briefings for Congress

U.S. counterintelligence officials will no longer brief lawmakers on threats to the upcoming presidential election in November, telling them such in-person briefings have led to leaks of "sensitive intelligence" and the politicization of information.

Officials with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) verbally informed key lawmakers and congressional committees of the change Saturday, saying the intelligence on threats to the November 3 presidential election would still be provided, just in a different form.

"We are committed to meeting our statutory responsibilities and keeping Congress fully and currently informed," an ODNI official told VOA on the condition of anonymity.

"For clarity and to protect sensitive intelligence from unauthorized disclosures, we will primarily do that through written finished intelligence products," the official said, adding, "We are concerned about unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information following recent briefings."

Notice sent to Congress

Letters with additional justifications for the change were also sent to lawmakers Saturday from Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe.

FILE - U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 5, 2020.

"I believe this approach helps ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that the information ODNI provides the Congress in support of your oversight responsibilities on elections security, foreign malign influence and election interference is not misunderstood nor politicized," Ratcliffe wrote, according to a copy of the letters obtained by VOA.

"It will also better protect our sources and methods and most sensitive intelligence from additional unauthorized disclosures or misuse," Ratcliffe wrote.

Ratcliffe's letter did not provide any specific examples of what he considered to be harmful leaks, or misunderstood or politicized intelligence, as a result of previous in-person briefings.

The change, coming just more than two months before U.S. voters head to the polls or face deadlines for submitting their ballots by mail, sparked immediate outrage from top Democrats in Congress, who accused ODNI of betraying its responsibility to lawmakers and the public at large.

FILE - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, joined by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 15, 2020.

"This is a shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility to keep the Congress currently informed, and a betrayal of the public's right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said in a statement.

"This is shameful and – coming only weeks before the election – demonstrates that the Trump administration is engaged in a politicized effort to withhold election-related information from Congress and the American people at the precise moment that greater transparency and accountability is required," their statement said.

FILE - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, leaves after a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 19, 2020.

The top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, also placed blame for the change on President Donald Trump and his administration, accusing them of trying to cover up his attempts to benefit from foreign interference.

"Our intelligence officials have said there's an active, ongoing assault on our democratic process from Russia," Schumer said in a statement. "President Trump is simply using John Ratcliffe to hide the ugly truth from the American people — that the president is again receiving the help of the Kremlin."

Official: US Adversaries Taking Sides, Wielding Influence Ahead of Election  

US counterintelligence officials, splitting with President Trump, warn Russian-linked actors are pulling for his reelection as China and Iran aim to put Democrat Joe Biden in the White House

Democratic lawmakers, ODNI

Tensions between Democratic lawmakers and ODNI, which oversees all intelligence-based threat briefings, have been simmering for months.

Late last month, top Democrats slammed a statement by William Evanina, the director of ODNI's National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), for his public assessment of how Russia, China and Iran were seeking to compromise political campaigns and candidates and about the danger to U.S. election infrastructure as insufficient.

JUST IN: Gang of 8 Democrats slam #Election2020 security warning from @ODNIgov's National Counterintelligence&Security Center (NCSC) "The statement just released by NCSC Director William Evanina does not go nearly far enough"-@SpeakerPelosi@SenSchumer@RepAdamSchiff@MarkWarnerhttps://t.co/EiWvVuJfio

— Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) July 24, 2020

"The statement gives a false sense of equivalence to the actions of foreign adversaries," the Democrats' statement said. "The Russians are once again trying to influence the election and divide Americans, and these efforts must be deterred, disrupted and exposed."

FILE - Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center William Evanina attends the Reuters Cybersecurity Summit in Washington, Oct. 31, 2017.

Earlier this month, Pelosi and Schiff again criticized the ODNI and NCSC's Evanina, charging that an updated assessment of the threats posed by Russia, China and Iran to the November election understated the threat from Moscow.

"Today's [August 7] statement still treats three actors of differing intent and capability as equal," they said at the time.

The Democratic lawmakers pointed specifically to Evanina's August 7 warning that while China and Iran would prefer to see Trump lose in November, Russia "is using a range of measures to primarily denigrate former Vice President [Joe] Biden."

"Some Kremlin-linked actors are also seeking to boost President Trump's candidacy on social media and Russian television," Evanina added.

For his part, Trump applauded the end of the in-person briefings for lawmakers.

"You have leakers on the committee," he told reporters Saturday, during a visit to Texas, where he was touring areas hit this week by Hurricane Laura.

“You have leakers on the committee,” responded @POTUS in #Texas when asked about the halt to the @ODNIgov briefings.

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) August 29, 2020

Trump has repeatedly rejected any suggestions that Russia is trying to help his reelection bid.

"I don't care what anybody says," he told reporters following the August 7 threat assessment statement. "The last person Russia wants to see in office is Donald Trump because nobody's been tougher on Russia than I have, ever."

NEW: @POTUS reacts to US intel #Election2020 Threat warning "The last person #Russia wants to see in office is Donald Trump bcs nobody's been tougher on Russia than I have, ever" he says

— Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) August 8, 2020

Trump has also consistently rejected the conclusions of a 2017 report by the U.S. intelligence community that found Russia aspired to help him win the 2016 presidential elections as a "political witch hunt."

Praise from some

Despite criticism from Democratic lawmakers, the decision to cancel in-person election security briefings for lawmakers is being met with praise from the president's supporters, including former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell.

"Career intelligence officials came to me to say they didn't want to brief the Hill [Congress] because the partial information leaks and manipulation of their words were detrimental to their careers," he said on Twitter. "This is a very good reform."

Career intelligence officials came to me to say they didn’t want to brief the Hill because the partial information leaks and manipulation of their words were detrimental to their careers. This is a very good reform. https://t.co/oBOA2sXNPE

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) August 29, 2020

As acting DNI, Grenell made the decision this past May to consolidate election security briefings under ODNI, making Evanina the point person for all "intelligence-based threat briefings to candidates, campaigns and political organizations."

NEW: @ODNIgov acting Dir @RichardGrenell announcing changes to way election-related threat information is shared w/candidates/campaigns/political organizations "The US Intelligence Community (IC) will lead all intelligence-based threat briefings" per statement pic.twitter.com/i9WZj0Jvjp

— Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) May 15, 2020

But some former intelligence officials are expressing concerns on social media about the end of in-person briefings. They argue that while written intelligence reports can be helpful, briefings allow lawmakers to ask questions and get additional clarity – something that will no longer be possible.

There are other questions, as well.

For example, it is not clear how the decision to end in-person election security briefings for lawmakers will impact briefings for congressional candidates or if there will be any changes to the way ODNI briefs the campaigns for Trump and Democratic challenger Biden.

ODNI officials did not respond to repeated questions on the matter from VOA.

In the meantime, at least one Democrat suggested the top U.S. intelligence official should have to come before lawmakers to explain his actions.

"This cannot stand," Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon said in a statement Saturday, accusing DNI Ratcliffe of "trying to keep the facts from Congress."

"Congress can issue subpoenas and hold uncooperative officials in contempt," Wyden said. "Congress must also ensure that patriotic whistleblowers who come forward with information the administration is trying to hide are protected."

White House Bureau Chief Steve Herman and congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.

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