Threat Management

Donald Trump receives a Christmas gift from a California hacker

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received some support from hackers who took over an electronic highway sign in California on Christmas night to post “Merry Xmas – Vote Donald Trump.

The display was located on interstate 15 in Corona, Calif., according to the Daily Mail. The reprogrammed sign was spotted by local resident Nikki Worden, who recorded the message and posted it on her Facebook account. It has since received more than 500,000 views, she told KABC-TV Channel 7.

A California Transportation Department (CalTrans) spokesperson said the complete message stated “Inland Empire supports Donald Trump. Merry Xmas. Vote Donald Trump” adding that the transportation department had nothing to do with the message. Security has since been increased on the mobile sign, but KABC-TV said it sent a team to check the sign. They found the box, through which it is programmed, was unlocked and accessible. However, a password is needed to make any changes to the sign, which CalTrans believe was obtained by someone hacking their computer system.

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