Microsoft foils major attack by Russian hackers on US political groups

A major attempt to interfere with United States of America’s midterm elections scheduled for November by Russian hackers has been thwarted by Microsoft.

According to Microsoft, its Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) has shut down six websites last week belonging to the Russian hackers.

Microsoft revealed that the attacks were specifically targeted at two Republican think-thanks, the International Republican Institute and the Hudson Institute, Microsoft says.

“We’re concerned that these and other attempts pose security threats to a broadening array of groups connected with both American political parties in the run-up to the 2018 elections,” a blog post by Microsoft said.

Read also: Cold war between Russia & US over, Putin says

“One appears to mimic the domain of the International Republican Institute, which promotes democratic principles and is led by a notable board of directors, including six Republican senators and a leading senatorial candidate,” the statement added.

“Another is similar to the domain used by the Hudson Institute, which hosts prominent discussions on topics including cybersecurity, among other important activities.”

The attack by the Russian hackers is coming as US President Donald Trump openly expressed worry that any statements under oath he provides to Special Counsel Robert Mueller over Russia’s influence at the last presidential polls could be a ‘perjury trap’.

During an interview with Reuters, Trump echoed the concerns of his lawyer in the probe, Rudy Giuliani, who has warned that any sit-down with Mueller could be a “perjury trap.”

Trump said during the interview that; “So if I say something and he (Comey) says something, and it’s my word against his, and he’s best friends with Mueller, so Mueller might say: ‘Well, I believe Comey,’ and even if I’m telling the truth, that makes me a liar. That’s no good.”

 

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