The 2024 United States presidential election is fast approaching, and nefarious individuals are taking advantage of the heightened attention and activity surrounding the election season to carry out their fraudulent schemes.
A recent report from Fortinet’s FortiGuard Labs sheds light on the threats observed from January 2024 to August 2024 that are tied to U.S.-based entities, voters, and the electoral process. The report highlights various malicious activities such as phishing scams, malicious domain registrations, and other cyber threats that could potentially compromise the integrity and trustworthiness of the election process, as well as the well-being of the citizens involved.
Phishing scams, in particular, are a prevalent method used by cybercriminals to deceive individuals and obtain sensitive information. The research team at FortiGuard Labs discovered that malicious actors are selling phishing kits on the darknet for just $1,260 each. These kits are designed to impersonate U.S. presidential candidates and their campaigns, with the goal of tricking voters and donors into divulging personal information such as names, addresses, and credit card details. To combat these types of scams, it is imperative for organizations to provide regular cybersecurity training to employees to raise awareness about common phishing tactics and other fraudulent activities.
Moreover, since the beginning of 2024, FortiGuard Labs has identified over 1,000 newly registered domain names that contain election-related terms and references to prominent political figures. This underscores the importance of maintaining a vigilant stance against suspicious online behavior and adhering to good cybersecurity practices leading up to significant events like the presidential election.
The darknet has also emerged as a breeding ground for malicious activity related to the U.S., with threat actors trading sensitive information and developing strategies to exploit vulnerabilities. Among the databases available on darknet forums, there is a wealth of critical organizational data that could be exploited by cybercriminals. To prevent data breaches and credential-stuffing attacks, organizations should implement strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and security orchestration platforms to detect and respond to unusual activities.
As cybersecurity measures play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, it is essential for businesses and individuals to stay proactive, vigilant, and prepared to counter potential cyber threats in the increasingly dangerous digital landscape. By staying informed, implementing best practices, and leveraging robust cybersecurity solutions, the risks posed by malicious actors can be mitigated, ensuring a secure and trustworthy electoral process for all involved.