The Democratic National Committee Targeted by a Phishing Attack in 2019
In 2019, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) was targeted by a phishing attack. Phishing is a type of cyberattack that uses malicious emails to try and gain access to sensitive information. The attackers sent emails that appeared to be from legitimate sources, such as Google or Microsoft, in order to trick users into clicking on malicious links or downloading malicious attachments.
Once the attackers had gained access to the DNC’s systems, they were able to steal confidential data and documents. This included emails, financial records, and other sensitive information. The attackers then released this information publicly in an effort to influence the outcome of the 2020 US presidential election.
How Was the Attack Detected?
The attack was detected by cybersecurity experts at CrowdStrike, who noticed suspicious activity on the DNC’s network. They identified the malicious emails and tracked them back to their source. They also found evidence that the attackers had been using sophisticated tools and techniques to gain access to the DNC’s systems.
CrowdStrike alerted the FBI and other law enforcement agencies about the attack, which allowed them to investigate further and take action against those responsible for it.