The group has a history of similar activities, having targeted the 2020 US election through activities designed to intimidate voters and create confusion over the election results. In 2020, Cotton Sandstorm posed as a member of the far-right group “Proud Boys,” sending threatening emails to Florida voters in an effort to sway the vote.
“Historically, Cotton Sandstorm targeted elections in a similar fashion through hacking operations targeting media and election-related websites prior to the last US presidential election.”
This spring, Cotton Sandstorm expanded its operations to news outlets, conducting a resurvey of major US news sites in what could be preparations for more influence campaigns. The group’s use of hacking to obtain sensitive information and its ability to leak it to the public have made it a powerful tool in Iran’s arsenal of election meddling.
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