NORFOLK, Va. — 13News Now talked to a cybersecurity expert after a racist text message went viral on Wednesday, a day after the presidential election.
The text message asks people to report to a plantation to pick cotton.
On Thursday, cybersecurity expert Greg Tomchick, the CEO of Valor Cybersecurity, said that a data broker, or someone who collects and or sells a person's personal data, could be behind the viral text message.
"A typical data broker has about 15 data points on every single American. Eventually, their database, once they buy it from that company that gets the information and then now they have a database where they can filter through based [off of] race, location, and preferences, then be able to put them into a list to send a targeted text message like we've seen in this case," said Tomchick.
Tomchick said that while the government has tools to track down data brokers, finding the people responsible and holding them accountable can be challenging.
"They have thought through the kind of being trackable, so they'll send it from one number and then get rid of that number completely and put it into a false name, and then get another number and send the next text message from that other number that they're now kind of using as a way to play cat and mouse game," said Tomchick.
Although these individuals can steal your information, the cybersecurity expert said the best way to protect yourself is to change your passwords frequently, use websites like delete me to clear your data online, and be careful about where you share your information online.
A spokesperson with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a statement that said,
"Our Enforcement Bureau is aware of these and is looking into them alongside federal and state law enforcement."
Moreover, a spokesperson with the FBI Norfolk office released a statement.
"The FBI is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on this matter."
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