FBI warns: Avoid public phone chargers to prevent data theft
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warns against using public smartphone chargers due to the risk of "juice jacking" attacks. An expert suggests an alternative: using your own USB cable or private charger.
Many people might find themselves needing to charge their phone in a public place, but the FBI advises caution when using provided chargers with USB ports. Charging stations can not only supply power but also connect to the device, which poses the risk of personal data theft.
What is the danger of public chargers?
According to Muhammad Yahya Patel, the chief security engineer at Check Point Software, public chargers are rarely secured, posing a threat to users.
Patel suggests a simple solution:
In public places, let’s use our own cables and plugs, or a cable without data transfer capability. Use an electrical outlet—he emphasized.
He points out that "hackers use charging ports to transfer data and can install spyware or mirror the screen."
What to use instead of public chargers?
Another option is having your own power bank, which eliminates the need to use public devices. However, it’s important to remember that data can also be stolen by installing an infected app, even if it's from the official Google Play store on Android.
