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With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Russian and Chinese hackers are trying to influence the U.S. elections

Various countries are supporting threat actors

3 min. read

Updated onApril 19, 2024

updated onApril 19, 2024

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Not long ago,Microsoft discoveredRussian and Chinese hackers sponsored by their countries. Most of them use social engineering tactics to spread misinformation on social media. In addition, they are targetingthe U.S. institutions. On top of that, they are using various ways to exploit the securityvulnerabilities of Microsoft.

According to Microsoft, on 17th April Russian hackers started online campaigns to weaken U.S. support for Ukraine. Through their content, they try to generate hostility between us. On top of that, Chinese hackers are trying to diminish our trust in the U.S. democratic systems.

What methods did the Russian hackers use?

Thewrongdoers from Russiause multiple methods to catch our attention. For example, besides social media, they engage in covert and overt campaigns and use traditional media.

Russian and Chinese hackers use AI in their campaigns to spread misinformation. One of their methods to spread fake news is to edit videos using AI-generated audio content. Unfortunately, many of us believe their lies without analyzing them.

TheRussian group Storm-1516targets U.S. audiences with fake narratives. To do this, they use the same pattern but multiple languages. Also, they use a three-stage process.

During the first phase of the process, they create a believable persona often posing as a whistleblower or a journalist who promotes an anti-Ukraine narrative. Then, they post the video on an independent channel. In the second phase, multiple websites managed by the Russian group of hackers promote the video to spread their influence. The last phase of their campaign uses Russian expats, officials, and supporters to spread the lies further.

How do Chinese cybercriminals spread misinformation?

Chinese hackerssimilarly use AI tools like the Russian ones. Thus, they spread misinformation by creating and sharing memes, videos, and enhanced images featuring fake narratives. Also, most of them post as American voters.

In addition, Chinese threat actors use more advanced tactics based on political divisions. Also, they promote content that benefits a political party while spreading misinformation about others.

Besides Russian and Chinese hackers, Iran might launchcyber attackswhen we get closer to the U.S. Election Day. Through their attempts, they might try to steal and manipulate data and affect critical systems.

According to the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC), the most efficient tactics feature:

Ultimately, Russian, Chinese, Iranian, and other hackers might increase their threat attacks close to Election Day. MTAC will continue to search and analyze malicious uses of AI. However, Microsoft says that hackers are using an unreleased tool. So, the rapid development of AI could be a critical threat. As a result, there’s no way to prevent what will happen in November.

What are your thoughts? Do you think the AI is advancing too fast? Let us know in the comments.

More about the topics:Cybersecurity,microsoft

Sebastian Filipoiu

Sebastian is a content writer with a desire to learn everything new about AI and gaming. So, he spends his time writing prompts on various LLMs to understand them better. Additionally, Sebastian has experience fixing performance-related problems in video games and knows his way around Windows. Also, he is interested in anything related to quantum technology and becomes a research freak when he wants to learn more.

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Sebastian Filipoiu

Sebastian is a content writer with a desire to learn everything new about AI and gaming.

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Russian and Chinese hackers are trying to influence the U.S. elections#

What methods did the Russian hackers use?#

How do Chinese cybercriminals spread misinformation?#