U.S. government officials fear Russian hackers may try to interfere with next week’s presidential election, NBC News reports.
{mosads}In response, the White House and the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with other agencies, will launch an unprecedented effort to counter cyber meddling.
Intelligence officials told NBC News Russia has been warned that any attempts to undermine the actual voting or vote counting next week would be considered a serious breach.
“The Russians are in an offensive mode and [the U.S. is] working on strategies to respond to that, and at the highest levels,” Michael McFaul, the U.S. ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014, told NBC News.
Steps are being taken to prepare for “worst-case scenarios,” according to NBC News, including a cyberattack that could shut down parts of the power grid or internet.
But an effort by hackers to peddle misinformation on social media platforms may be more likely, officials said.
The Russians “want to sow as much confusion as possible and undermine our process in ways they’ve done elsewhere,” said a senior Obama administration official. “So this is to make sure that we have all the tools at our disposal and that we’re prepared to respond to whatever it is that they do.”
Reuters additionally reported Thursday that the FBI and U.S. intelligence officials are examining faked documents aimed at discrediting Clinton. People familiar with the matter said such documents include a letter made to look like it was from Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), including a forged signature and his stationary, telling Clinton “We will not let you lose this election.”