CYBERCOM Hits Russian Troll Farm As Part Of Efforts To Protect Midterm Elections

The U.S. launched a cyber operation against a Russian cyber center focused on influencing Americans during the 2018 midterm elections, reports the Washington Post. 

The operation took the Internet Research Agency offline on the day of voting and several days after, said a U.S. official. 

President Trump had approved broad operations to prevent Russian interference in the elections, officials said.  

Based in St. Petersburg, the Internet Research Agency has been a key element of the Kremlin's information operations in the U.S. and Europe. 

The operation was one of the largest undertaken U.S. Cyber Command so far, which was granted new authorities to conduct offensive capabilities last year. 

It was unclear what the effect of the operation might be. Russian tactics are evolving and some analysts are skeptical that the strike would deter future activities. 

Experts have also warned that Russia is strengthening its cyber and information operations ahead of the 2020 elections, reported NBC News.