Reports from cybersecurity firms and official statements from impacted sectors

Iran's Peach Sandstorm Deploys Tickler Malware, Targets U.S. Amid Election Concerns

Aug 28, 2024, 04:39 PM

U.S. authorities have confirmed that Iranian state-sponsored hackers, known as Peach Sandstorm, have developed a new malware called 'Tickler' to infiltrate networks in the U.S. and United Arab Emirates. This cyberattack is part of a broader campaign by Iran to gather intelligence and potentially meddle in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The malware allows attackers to establish remote access to victim networks, posing a significant threat to various sectors, including satellite, oil and gas, communications, and government organizations. Microsoft Threat Intelligence has been actively monitoring these developments, highlighting the ongoing cyber threat from Iran. This comes amid heightened concerns over foreign interference in the upcoming U.S. elections, with officials emphasizing improved preparedness compared to previous election cycles.