A recent report from Meta has revealed that a group of Iranian hackers targeted WhatsApp accounts linked to the administrations of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. The hackers, identified as APT42, posed as technical support for several major tech companies, including Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo, in an attempt to deceive their victims.
According to Meta, the malicious activity originated in Iran and targeted individuals in several countries, including Israel, Palestine, Iran, the United States, and the UK. The hackers focused on political and diplomatic officials, as well as other public figures, in an effort to compromise their accounts.
While Meta was able to block the suspicious WhatsApp accounts, the company noted that it did not have evidence that any accounts were actually compromised. The incident highlights the ongoing threat of cyber attacks on high-profile targets, particularly in the lead-up to the November election.
The report comes on the heels of a joint statement from U.S. intelligence agencies, which attributed a recent hack of Trump’s campaign to Iranian actors. The agencies expressed confidence that Iran has made other attempts to target both Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns, and warned that the country’s efforts to influence the election have become increasingly aggressive.
In light of these developments, Meta has shared information about the new activity with law enforcement and presidential campaigns, citing the “heightened threat environment” ahead of the election. The company’s actions are part of a broader effort to protect against cyber threats and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
