Juice Jacking: What You Need To Know To Stay Safe

The FBI recently sent out a tweet, “Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers.” The Denver field office continued, “Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead.”

This warning to consumers against using free public charging stations refers to something called “juice jacking.” Crooks can hijack public chargers and infect devices allowing them access to your phone, tablet, or computer.

This isn’t new, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has warned about “juice jacking” since 2021. It’s one tactic used by cyber-thieves. The malware installed through a corrupted USB port can lock a device or export personal data and passwords directly to the perpetrator. The criminals can then use the stolen information to access your online accounts or sell it to other criminals.

Cables can also be infected. These can be intentionally left plugged in at charging stations and there have also been reports of infected cables being given away as promotional gifts.

Here are a few tips from the FCC to help you avoid becoming a “juice jacking” victim:

• Avoid using a public USB charging station. Use an AC power outlet instead.
• Bring AC, car chargers, and your own USB cables with you when traveling.
• Carry a portable charger or external battery.
• Consider carrying a charging-only cable, which prevents data from sending or receiving while charging, from a trusted supplier.
• If you plug your device into a USB port and a prompt appears asking you to select “share data” or “charge only,” always select “charge only.”

 The charging-only cables are also sometimes called “Secure charging cables” with descriptions such as “Data Blocker Charge-Only Cable,” or “No-Data Power Only Charger Cable.”

Another option would be to charge your extra power bank at the public charging station and then use it to charge your phone if you must use a public charging station.

Unfortunately, while many places installed these charging stations to provide a convenience for travelers and guests, criminals have found ways to exploit them and innocent people needing a convenient quick charge have become victims to these cyber-thieves. Follow the tips here and don’t let them rob you of your information and enjoy your travels safely.