Travelers using public cellphone charging stations at airports – and other places – have been warned by the FBI to be wary of using them.
Your information could be a victim of “juice jacking” by those stations available to the public in places including airports, hotels and shopping centers.
Earlier this month, the FBI’s Denver field office shared this tip – “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.”
The FBI has previously warned people about the issue and did not reveal what prompted the most recent advise shared on Twitter.
The Federal Communications Commission in 2021 warned that using those public charging stations could have “unfortunate consequences.”
Juice-jacking, it said, is a “cyber-theft tactic.”
“Cybersecurity experts have warned that criminals can load malware onto public USB charging stations to maliciously access electronic devices while they are being charged.
Malware installed through a dirty USB port can lock a device or export personal data and passwords directly to the perpetrator. Criminals can use that information to access online accounts or sell it to other bad actors,” the FCC said.
The FCC advised that travelers use an AC power outlet, bring their own charges and cables, carry a portable charger or external battery or “consider carrying a charging-only cable, which prevents data from sending or receiving while charging, from a trusted supplier.”
