By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/french-presidential-candidate-target-of-hackers-researchers-say Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Hackers targeted French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, cybersecurity researchers say World Apr 25, 2017 11:32 AM EDT Hackers with possible Russian ties tried to infiltrate the campaign of French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, researchers from the Japanese cybersecurity firm Trend Micro reported Tuesday. Macron’s campaign digital chief, Mounir Mahjoubi, confirmed the hacking attempts but said nothing in the campaign was compromised, reported CNN. Trend Micro monitors fake websites and domain names meant to trick employees into providing information such as passwords, and said these tactics were used to try to glean information from the campaign. READ MORE: How powerful is France’s president? Here’s why the 2017 election matters The Associated Press says the company found 160 hacking attempts starting in December. Researchers tracked the hacking attempts to a source it named Pawn Storm, which American intelligence agencies have connected to Russian intelligence. Russian officials have denied any state-directed surveillance. Trend Micro did not specify that any country was behind the cyberspying. The news comes as officials are continuing to investigate interference in the 2016 presidential elections in the U.S., including possible ties between Russia and members of President Donald Trump’s campaign. Hackers with alleged ties to Russia also leaked emails from the Democratic National Committee servers. Marine Le Pen, French National Front political party leader, visits Le Mont Saint Michel, France on Feb. 27. Photo by Stephane Mahe/Reuters Macron, a former French economic minister, won 24 percent of the vote in France’s first round of presidential elections on Sunday. He faces Marine Le Pen, the National Front candidate who won 21 percent, in a run-off election on May 7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KGCl0CMVSc PBS NewsHour special correspondent Malcolm Brabant takes a closer look at the two remaining candidates in France’s presidential election. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
Hackers with possible Russian ties tried to infiltrate the campaign of French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, researchers from the Japanese cybersecurity firm Trend Micro reported Tuesday. Macron’s campaign digital chief, Mounir Mahjoubi, confirmed the hacking attempts but said nothing in the campaign was compromised, reported CNN. Trend Micro monitors fake websites and domain names meant to trick employees into providing information such as passwords, and said these tactics were used to try to glean information from the campaign. READ MORE: How powerful is France’s president? Here’s why the 2017 election matters The Associated Press says the company found 160 hacking attempts starting in December. Researchers tracked the hacking attempts to a source it named Pawn Storm, which American intelligence agencies have connected to Russian intelligence. Russian officials have denied any state-directed surveillance. Trend Micro did not specify that any country was behind the cyberspying. The news comes as officials are continuing to investigate interference in the 2016 presidential elections in the U.S., including possible ties between Russia and members of President Donald Trump’s campaign. Hackers with alleged ties to Russia also leaked emails from the Democratic National Committee servers. Marine Le Pen, French National Front political party leader, visits Le Mont Saint Michel, France on Feb. 27. Photo by Stephane Mahe/Reuters Macron, a former French economic minister, won 24 percent of the vote in France’s first round of presidential elections on Sunday. He faces Marine Le Pen, the National Front candidate who won 21 percent, in a run-off election on May 7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KGCl0CMVSc PBS NewsHour special correspondent Malcolm Brabant takes a closer look at the two remaining candidates in France’s presidential election. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now