Considering taking a trip? You’ll undoubtedly have a cell phone or some other portable device with you, and you’ll eventually need to recharge it.
Be aware that charging your electronic device at a free USB port, such as one found in an airport or hotel lobby, may have unfavourable effects if your battery is low. You might fall victim to “juice jacking,” a different form of online theft.
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FBI is warning about ‘juice jacking’ from public charging ports
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The FBI is warning the public about the dangers of using USB charging ports that are available in public places. Some of these can become corrupted and present a risk if your smartphone or tablet is plugged into them.
Juice jacking is a phenomenon that can result in the theft of private information.
The FBI issued a strong warning on social media, asking users to refrain from using the free USB charging stations found in hotels, shopping centres and airports.
In fact, hackers have already been successful in gaining access to a number of these open USB ports and introducing malware that can steal personal data or even install itself on any device plugged into the compromised ports. This practice is referred to as “juice jacking.”
The FBI is spreading awareness about the potential risks because some cases have recently come to light. Regardless of the operating system, any mobile device including smartphones and tablets can be impacted when connected to a compromised USB port.
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It is advised that you use your own charger and USB cord, and plug them into a regular electrical outlet instead of a public USB charging port if your device is low on power. As an alternative, you could use a power bank, which is always useful when you’re moving.
How can you protect yourself from juice jacking?
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Juice jacking is a type of cyberattack that occurs when a hacker modifies a public charging station or USB port to install malware on the devices that are plugged in. Once the malware is installed, the attacker can steal personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers and other sensitive data from the device.
This type of attack is known as “juice jacking” because the attacker is stealing the “juice,” or battery power, from the victim’s device.
To protect yourself from juice jacking, it is recommended that you avoid using public charging stations and USB ports.
Instead, use a wall charger or a portable power bank to charge your device. If you must use a public charging station or USB port, consider using a data blocker or USB condom. These are small devices that block data transfer and only allow power to flow through, which prevents malware from being installed on your device.
It’s also important to keep your device up to date with the latest security patches and use strong passwords to protect your personal information. By taking these precautions, you can help protect yourself from juice jacking and other types of cyberattacks.
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