Public USB ports may infect your phone with malware, experts warn
Experts are raising a warning. They've highlighted the issue of 'juice jacking', a process where USB ports are infected with harmful programs. If the port is part of a public charger, your smartphone could unknowingly download damaging apps and viruses upon connection.
11:33 PM EST, January 15, 2024
Another concern is raised. Since information can be transferred both ways, data from your smartphone can also be sent to the socket. This data can then potentially be seized by hackers.
The American experts concluded from experiences that a mere 80 seconds of charging could potentially infect your device with unwanted software. Thus, the U.S. Army Cyber Command advises carrying your own USB cable and charger to avoid this risk. In need of power, you can plug these into an electrical outlet, which is used solely for power transmission – announced the department via a press release.
Infected ports? Some remain skeptical
Some experts are skeptical about the concept of 'infected' ports. They debate the validity of the claim, stating they've never heard of such breaches. They also argue that modern smartphones alert owners to any attempted data transfers. Nonetheless, it's advised to maintain vigilance.
