Iran is targeting the U.S. election with fake news sites and cyber operations

New anti-theft software could help in massive way                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 August 11, 2024 Good afternoon, it is Sunday, August 11, and we're covering Iran’s strategy to play a part in this election, Anit-theft software that may finally help crack down on car theft, Olympic updates & much more!! First time reading? Sign up here. American Fact of the Day! On August 11, 1984, the film "Ghostbusters" was released in the United States. Directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis, it became an iconic comedy and a major box office hit. The film's blend of supernatural elements and humor, along with its memorable theme song, contributed to its lasting popularity. Breaking Updates After a rash of stolen cars, Hyundai and Kia’s new anti-theft software is showing results After Hyundai and Kia introduced anti-theft software updates in February 2023, thefts of affected vehicles have significantly decreased, though overall theft rates remain high. The updates were a response to a dramatic rise in thefts of certain Hyundai and Kia models, which had surged by over 1,000% between early 2020 and mid-2023 due to viral social media content detailing how to steal these cars. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), insurance claims for total vehicle theft have dropped by 64% for cars with the new software compared to those without it. Despite the software's effectiveness, thefts of these older Hyundai and Kia models remain higher than other vehicles. As of the end of 2023, about 30% of eligible vehicles had received the upgrade, with around 61% now equipped. However, some models lack the necessary hardware for the software, leading Hyundai and Kia to provide steering wheel locks as an alternative. The HLDI notes that the continuing high theft rates could be due to improper use of the new security features or the lingering appeal of car theft as a social media-driven fad. [Read More Here]( Iran is targeting the U.S. election with fake news sites and cyber operations Iran is increasing its efforts to influence U.S. public opinion ahead of the presidential election, according to a Microsoft report. Researchers have identified Iranian-operated websites targeting both left- and right-leaning voters. For example, one site, Nio Thinker, presents itself as a progressive news outlet critical of former President Trump and supportive of Vice President Kamala Harris. Another site, Savannah Time, masquerades as a conservative local publication, featuring articles both critical of Western values and praising Iranian military strength. These sites reportedly use artificial intelligence to repurpose content from legitimate news sources to obscure their origins. The report highlights a broader Iranian operation, active since 2020, with over a dozen fake news sites in multiple languages. Despite limited success in the U.S., these sites may gain prominence closer to the election. Additionally, Microsoft noted other foreign interference efforts: Russia is continuing its propaganda campaigns, while China is focusing on video-based propaganda and stoking outrage over pro-Palestinian protests. The report anticipates that Iran, along with Russia and China, will ramp up their cyberattacks and disinformation efforts as the election approaches. [Read more updates here]( American Sports & Culture Paris Olympics: USA women rebound from 10-point third-quarter deficit to capture 8th straight basketball gold The USA's dominant women's basketball dynasty survived a bit of a scare, but the gold medal is theirs once again. 2024 Paris Olympics: Jayson Tatum's more limited role with Team USA was a 'tough personal experience' Jayson Tatum didn’t play in two games in Paris and he played just 11 minutes in Team USA’s win over France on Saturday. Paris Olympics: U.S. men set Olympic record, women set American record to sweep 4x400 relays Those performances boosted USA Track & Field’s medal count at these Olympics to 34. American Business & Markets Bank of America CEO says US consumers could become discouraged unless rates drop soon At the end of July the Fed kept the policy rate in the same 5.25%-5.50% range it has been for more than a year, but signaled that a rate cut could come as soon as September if inflation continued to cool. Extreme weather is here to stay. How to financially prepare yourself for a disaster No part of the United States is spared the risk of extreme weather events, which have been hitting harder in recent years. Why Every Big Tech Company Has Failed to Dethrone Nvidia as King of AI Nvidia, like Apple, shows that if you want to become a giant, you’ve got to be as good at software as you are at hardware. American Politics Vance looks to turn tables on Walz Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance sought to turn the tables on Democratic rival Tim Walz, claiming that the Minnesota governor is the one being “weird.” Biden’s White House has tried to boost unions. The election could change that. The National Labor Relations Board has taken a more forceful pro-labor stance as strikes and organizing efforts ramped up. Potential new leadership and a series of court decisions threaten those efforts. Harris promises to go tough on border security The vice president's forceful remarks came at a rally in Arizona. Update your email preferences or unsubscribe [here]( © 2024 Keeping Up With America 19354 Watermark Drive, Suite 202 Cornelius, NC 28031, United States [Terms of Service](