Cyber Criminals Cash In: Election Scams Surge as 2024 Presidential Race Heats Up
Election cybersecurity experts have uncovered an alarming trend: cybercriminals are aggressively capitalizing on the 2024 US presidential election, launching sophisticated phishing operations and registering hundreds of deceptive domains. According to new research from Fortinet, these threats pose significant risks to voters, donors, and the electoral process itself.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Over 1,000 suspicious election-themed domains registered since January 2024
- Phishing kits targeting presidential campaigns selling for $1,260 each
- 28% increase in ransomware attacks against US government agencies
- Billions of stolen US records available on darknet forums
“As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, it’s critical to recognize and understand the cyberthreats that may impact the integrity and trustworthiness of the election process,” warns Derek Manky, Chief Security Strategist and VP of Global Threat Intelligence at Fortinet.
Premium Platforms, Malicious Intent
Notably, cybercriminals are leveraging trusted hosting providers to appear legitimate:
- AWS and Cloudflare emerge as top hosts for suspicious domains
- Fraudulent fundraising sites carefully mimic legitimate platforms
- Multiple malicious domains often trace back to single IP addresses, suggesting coordinated campaigns
Darknet Data Disaster
The investigation revealed staggering amounts of sensitive US data for sale:
- 1.3+ billion stolen login credentials
- 300,000 complete credit card records
- 2+ billion user records
- Approximately 10% of darknet posts advertising SSN databases
- 3% of forum posts specifically targeting business and government data
Government Under Attack
The research team documented a concerning 28% year-over-year increase in ransomware attacks targeting US government agencies. These attacks pose a particular threat during election season, potentially disrupting operations and eroding public trust in governmental institutions.
Expert Recommendations
“Remaining vigilant and identifying and analyzing potential cyberthreats and vulnerabilities is crucial for preparing and safeguarding against the lures and targeted cyberattacks that could take advantage of a heightened moment in time and even disrupt or influence electoral outcomes,” Manky emphasizes.
The findings underscore the critical importance of cybersecurity awareness during election seasons, particularly as threat actors become increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to exploit public interest in political events.