Suspected Russian hackers target Biden campaign adviser: report

Russian state-backed hackers are reportedly suspected of targeting staff at a top advisory firm working with Democratic presidential nominee Joe BidenJoe BidenGiuliani goes off on Fox Business host after she compares him to Christopher Steele Trump looks to shore up support in Nebraska Jeff Daniels narrates new Biden campaign ad for Michigan MORE's campaign. 

Microsoft alerted the Biden campaign that the hacking attempt was directed at employees of SKDKnickerbocker (SKDK), a campaign strategy and communications firm that has worked with Biden's team for the past two months, Reuters reported, citing three unidentified sources. 

A person familiar with the cyberattack told the news service that the actors failed to get access to the company's network. It remains unclear what the hackers were after and whether it was something connected to the Biden campaign. 

Microsoft reportedly contacted the campaign after determining that actors associated with the Russian government were likely involved. The hacks are said to have involved phishing, a method used to gain access to passwords. 

The Biden campaign and SKDK did not immediately return requests for comment from The Hill. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pushed back against the allegations, telling Reuters they were "nonsense." 

The report comes as lawmakers voice growing concerns about the threat of election interference. The U.S. intelligence community has said Russia, Iran and China are working to meddle in November's election, which has prompted worries from some about how prepared state officials are for such a threat. 

U.S. intelligence concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to harm Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonGorsuch rejects Minnesota Republican's request to delay House race Biden leads Trump by 6 points in Nevada: poll The Memo: Women could cost Trump reelection MORE and boost President TrumpDonald John TrumpGiuliani goes off on Fox Business host after she compares him to Christopher Steele Trump looks to shore up support in Nebraska NYT: Trump had 7 million in debt mostly tied to Chicago project forgiven MORE. William Evanina, the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, warned last month that Moscow's efforts in this election were focused primarily on denigrating Biden. 

In July, Evanina said that Russia was actively working to spread disinformation to undermine the elections and weaken U.S. institutions. He also said China's interference efforts were largely focused on shaping "the policy environment” in the U.S. and that Beijing preferred Biden because it found Trump unpredictable.  

Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisBiden pushes into Trump territory The Hill's Campaign Report: One week from Election Day | Biden looks to expand map | Trump trails narrowly in Florida, Arizona The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - One week out, where the Trump, Biden race stands MORE (D-Calif.), Biden's running mate, said earlier this week that she believes Russia will be at "the front of line" when it comes to foreign interference linked to the 2020 election.