Iranian cyberattacks threaten U.S. elections and digital security.

A new chapter in cybersecurity and interference in electoral processes has opened following Google's recent warning about a group linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard that has been attempting to access the email accounts of individuals associated with the U.S. presidential campaigns. Since May, this group has targeted individuals close to President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighting the growing concern over digital security during an already tense electoral period. According to a report issued by Google's threat intelligence unit, the group has been using phishing techniques to carry out its infiltration attempts. This type of attack involves posing as a trusted sender in order to trick victims into sharing their login credentials. The situation is alarming, as it shows a "small but steady cadence" of attacks, indicating a well-planned and persistent strategy by the involved actors. John Hultquist, the chief analyst of this unit, emphasized that Google has been notifying potential targets about these hacking attempts through pop-ups in Gmail. This type of prevention is crucial, given that the group has already managed to access the account of a high-level political consultant, underscoring the severity of the situation. The fact that Google reported the incident to the FBI reflects the magnitude of the problem. Cyberattacks are not new in the context of U.S. elections. In fact, the same Iranian group attempted to interfere in the 2020 elections, raising questions about the impact these acts may have on public perception and the integrity of the democratic process. Reports from Google and Microsoft suggest that cyber espionage by foreign actors could be on the rise, especially in a climate of increasing political polarization. Trump's campaign has claimed that their team was the victim of a hack that resulted in the leaking of internal documents, adding a new layer of tension between the candidates. Politico reported that it received these documents, although it is still unclear whether they are related to the intrusion attempts attributed to Iran. In this context, allegations of cyber espionage have begun to form part of the electoral discourse, which could influence the campaign strategies of the candidates. On the other hand, Harris's campaign team has remained silent regarding possible intrusions, although they have expressed vigilance against cyber threats. This highlights the need for all political campaigns to be prepared to respond to the growing threat of cyberattacks, as these can undermine not only information security but also voter trust. The implication of foreign actors in U.S. elections is a deeply concerning issue, especially when considering the current geopolitical context. The Biden administration has expressed a strong stance against electoral interference, emphasizing that the U.S. government will not tolerate attacks aimed at destabilizing its democratic processes. Furthermore, recent tensions between Iran and the United States, particularly surrounding the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020, may be motivating Tehran to act in this context. U.S. officials have indicated that there are reasons to believe Iran has a particular interest in interfering in the electoral process, especially regarding a possible return of Trump to power. However, the Iranian mission to the UN has rejected the allegations, asserting that they have no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of the United States. Such denials are common in the field of cybersecurity, where attributions to certain actors are often difficult to verify conclusively. In summary, the increasing activity of cyberattacks related to the U.S. presidential elections highlights the importance of cybersecurity today. With less than three months until the elections, both campaigns and security agencies must remain alert to potential intrusions and the implications these may have for democracy. Constant vigilance and collaboration between tech platforms and authorities are essential to safeguard the electoral process and protect the integrity of information.