Susie Wiles among targets of alleged Iranian hacking efforts, FBI finds

After Google confirmed that Iranian hackers are attempting to compromise emails of Harris, Trump and others, evidence has also suggest that Trump adviser Susie Wiles was among Iran hack targets. In addition, people familiar with the matter has confirmed that the FBI is investigating potential attempts by foreign nations to hack into U.S. presidential campaigns.

However, the FBI investigations into alleged Iranian hacking attempts targeting the Trump and Biden-Harris campaigns have revealed that senior Trump adviser Susie Wiles was among the potential victims. While the effectiveness of these attempts remains unclear, investigators are concerned about a broader pattern of foreign interference in the upcoming election.

Iranian hackers reportedly accessed Roger Stone's email, using it to send phishing attempts to campaign officials. Both Google and Microsoft have identified ongoing threats from Iranian operatives, who have previously targeted both campaigns. Iran has denied these allegations, asserting no intent to interfere in the U.S. elections.

While the FBI investigation has currently gathered evidence of alleged Iranian hacking attempts directed at senior Trump adviser Susie Wiles and other Trump and Biden-Harris campaign officials, agents are also looking into the possibility of more sophisticated hacking efforts by other nations like Russia and China.

U.S. security officials generally view Iran as an aggressive but not particularly sophisticated cyber adversary. The concern among some senior officials is that while the alleged Iran hacking activity was detected, more subtle efforts by other nations may also be underway or about to be launched.

The FBI began its investigation in June, before President Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris as the nominee. Agents worked with Google and Microsoft to discuss what appeared to be a phishing effort targeting people associated with the presidential campaigns.

National security officials have repeatedly warned that U.S. political campaigns are a desirable hacking target for some hostile countries and that such activity may increase. U.S. intelligence officials said in July that Iran is working to stoke societal discord in the U.S. and undermine Trump's bid to regain the White House, a repeat of Iranian efforts in 2020.

The Trump campaign is taking extra security steps and instructing staff not to put sensitive documents in emails given the threat of foreign hackers. The Biden-Harris campaign actively monitors cyber threats and is not aware of any breaches to its systems.

***This is a developing story.....