Microsoft has observed significant threat activity over the past two months by Phosphorus, a threat group believed linked to the Iranian government. The group made over 2,700 attempts to break into specific email accounts belonging to Microsoft customers. The attacks targeted a US presidential campaign, current and former US government officials, journalists covering politics, and Iranian nationals residing outside the country. The four accounts that were actually breached were not connected to the presidential campaign or to the government officials. Security researchers say attacks against election systems, elected officials, and candidates to only increase as the 2020 elections get closer.”]