Written by: DAVID KLEPPER and ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — A presidential candidate phone hacked. Fake video misleadingly shows burned ballots in Pennsylvania. National security officials warn that America’s enemies could incite violent protests after Election Day.

These developments — all revealed last week — show how Russia, China and Iran are stepping up efforts to interfere in American politics ahead of next month’s election, just as intelligence officials and security analysts say had guessed.

At the same time, authorities technology companies and private investigators adopted a more aggressive defense, quickly uncovering external election threats, highlighting lessons learned From past election cycles that have exposed America’s vulnerability to disinformation and cyberespionage.

Officials say The US election system is so secure No foreign nation can change the outcome on the scale required to change the outcome. Authoritarian adversaries, however, use disinformation and cyberespionage to target campaigns and voters while fueling distrust and discord.

Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Houston, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Annie Mulligan)

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Houston, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Annie Mulligan)

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Here’s what you need to know as the presidential election approaches:

Russia is the biggest threat

Russia is the most active and sophisticated country trying to manipulate US elections. fake websitesstate-controlled media and unknowingly Americans Spreading misleading and polarizing content intended to undermine confidence in elections.

The Kremlin’s disinformation apparatus covers controversial topics such as: migrationcrime, economy or disaster relief. The goal is to weaken the United States, erode support for Ukraine fighting Russian occupiers, and reduce America’s ability to counter Russia’s growing ties. Chinese, north korea And IranianOfficials said.

Intelligence officials and private security analysts found that: Russia supports former President Donald Trumpand sometimes uses AI-generated disinformation to smear his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly suggested cutting funding to Ukraine. He criticized the NATO military alliance.

In one particularly bold campaign, Russia released a video accusing Harris of paralyzing a woman in a car crash years ago. Another video has been prepared fabricated allegations She’s up against Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

On Friday, the FBI confirmed Moscow’s role in creating an attack. third video It supposedly shows the destruction of mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania. Local election officials quickly debunked the video as fake.

There is also Russia Tried to pay off American influencers Spreading the Kremlin’s preferred narratives. Last month, US officials accused two Russian state media employees Transferring $10 million to a Tennessee company to create pro-Russian content. The company then paid several popular right-wing influencers. I was not aware that his work was supported by Russia.

Moscow’s campaign Election Day won’t end. Instead, intelligence officials and private security analysts predict that Russia will use allegations of election irregularities to suggest that the results cannot be trusted. A. recently declassified intelligence memo He said Russia could still encourage violent protests after the election.

“Putin’s goal is to fuel chaos, division and polarization in our society,” said Michael McFaul, a former US ambassador to Russia who now teaches at Stanford University.

Russia has denied allegations that it tried to influence US elections. A message left at the Russian embassy in Washington was not immediately returned Saturday.

Iran’s hacking and leak operations

Iran was a particularly brazen player This year there was foreign intervention.

His Accused of hacking Trump campaign partners and providing stolen communications to media outlets and Democrats in the hopes of uncovering damaging stories that could damage Republican prospects. Dirty dangling emails Those messages were sent to people affiliated with President Joe Biden’s campaign, but there was no indication anyone responded, officials said.

Ministry of Justice last month Case filed against three Iranian hackers Those at large accuse them of a years-long operation that targeted scores of victims.