The FBI has issued a warning to consumers using free public charging stations as scammers have managed to hack the charges that can infect phones and other devices.
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Officials at the FBI’s Denver office released a statement warning the public to use caution when plugging in their phones, tablets, or other devices in free charging stations. As reported by NBC News, hackers have found a way to use USB ports to input malware and monitoring software onto devices. The scheme is called “juice jacking,” and the FCC also released a warning about it since its start in 2021.
“Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels, or shopping centers. 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.”
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Juice jacking is a cyber attack involving stealing data or installing malware on a device via a USB charging port. It typically occurs when someone plugs their mobile device into a public charging station, such as at airports, malls, or other public places. Hackers can install malicious software on the charging station or use special charging cables to steal data from the connected device, including passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information. To protect against juice jacking, using a personal charger or a portable battery pack instead of public charging stations and avoiding using unknown charging cables or USB ports is recommended.
Those with compromised USB cables can be hacked through software with access to their usernames, passwords, and other security issues. Additionally, physical damage can contribute to the risks of using charging stations as they may not be properly maintained, and the charging cable or port may be damaged, which can cause physical damage to your device.
Some Twitter users offered their own advice on preventing your data from being compromised by using a data blocker.