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Your phone is running low on power while you’re waiting to board a plane. The power outlets in the boarding area are all being used, but lo and behold there’s a public USB charging station close by.
You whip out your charge cord and plug it in, happy to get your free charge before boarding your flight.
What could go wrong?
Plenty.
Why You Should Avoid Using USB Charging Stations to Charge Your Phone or Tablet
In addition to transferring electrical current, phone charge cords transfer data. That free charging station at an airport, mall or hotel may not only charge your phone. It also could be transferring data to and from your phone.
The charging station could be connecting to your phone to copy your contact list, email messages, texts, voice mails, photos, videos, location data, passwords, banking information, browsing history, contacts, addresses, and any other information that is stored on your phone.
That USB port may even transfer files to your phone such as malware and tracking software. This malicious data transfer is known as “juice jacking.”
How to Protect Yourself
If you travel frequently and want to be able to charge your phone on the go, you have other options that don’t include giving up your data and making yourself vulnerable to hackers.
Yes, you could just stay holed up at home, but there are other choices if you want to travel and are worried about charging your phone. Here’s how you can avoid juice jacking:
- Plug your phone only into wall sockets where data transfer isn’t an issue. An available plug may not be as convenient as a USB charging station, but that inconvenience may keep you safe. Better to use a distant wall outlet than a nearby USB charging station.
- Carry a cord that only transfers electricity, not data. Be sure to label it so you don’t accidentally use that cord when you need to transfer data, such as backing up your phone to your computer.
- Carry a spare battery. Having a charged external battery means you can juice up your phone on the go without having to worry about carrying a special cord or finding an outlet. You can charge your phone wherever you are, even in the great outdoors when you’re miles away from an outlet. I have a Waka Waka solar-powered battery (that also charges from a wall outlet) to keep my devices charged when they’re running low.
- If you absolutely must use a public USB charging station, power off your phone completely. This may or may not prevent data transfer, but it will reduce the chances of it happening, depending on what phone or tablet you have.
- Remember to fully charge your phone before you leave home or work.
iOS and Android operating systems have security updates designed to prevent juice jacking. But the safest way to prevent being hacked is to avoid charging at public USB stations.
You’re Not Alone
A few years ago at a hacker conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, a security firm set up USB charging kiosks with screens displaying the message: Free Cell Phone Charging Kiosk.
But when users plugged in their phones, the kiosk screen turned red and displayed this warning:
“You should not trust public kiosks with your smart phone. Information can be retrieved or downloaded without your consent. Luckily for you, this station has taken the ethical route and your data is safe. Enjoy the free charge!”
Brian Markus, the CEO of Aires Security who set up the kiosks, explained that the purpose was to show how even hackers could be tempted to charge their phones using these kiosks.
Markus told KrebsOnSecurity, “Anyone who had an inclination to could put a system inside of one of these kiosks that when someone connects their phone can suck down all of the photos and data, or write malware to the device.”
Not All USB Charging Kiosks Are Evil
Certainly, not every USB charging station is run by hackers who are trying to take data from your phone or download malware onto it. Many charging stations do just what they say, charge your phone for free and don’t do juice jacking.
But just as when you connect to public Wi-Fi, you are taking a huge risk when you connect to a public USB charging station. Better to be safe and charge from an electrical outlet rather than a USB port.
[tip] Don’t miss => How Free Public Wi-Fi May Cost You Dearly [/tip]
=> See, Tech World, Heathrow’s 3,000 power sockets make it Europe’s gadget-friendly airport.
Your Thoughts
Have you heard of juice jacking? Did you realize that USB charging stations could transfer data as well as electricity? Have you used USB charging stations while traveling? What steps do you take to protect data on your phone and tablet?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
* Phone charging illustration (edited) courtesy of JuralMin via Pixabay and Creative Commons
** USB charge cord image courtesy of webandi via Pixabay and Creative Commons
*** Phone charging photo courtesy of rawpixel via Pixabay and Creative Commons
**** Delta Charging Station image courtesy of m01229 via Flickr and Creative Commons
Hi Carolyn,
Happy Monday 🙂
Yes, I had heard of heard of juice jacking, but didn’t realize that it could be connected with the USB charging stations!! And I have used USB charging stations while traveling, but not often, and use the wall sockets, especially as there are plenty at the airports.
I must forward this post to the kids in my family, as I think they are the ones who travel most, and love their charged gadgets! We got our kids a battery each last year, so they are safe there, at least for overnight traveling, but otherwise, this can surely be a weak point for all.
Thanks for sharing all of this with us and making us aware. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, we may not think about it, but every time we plug our phones into a USB port, data could be transferred to an from the phone. After all, that is how we can back up our phones to our computers and update the software on the phones.
Many of the charging kiosks do not pose a danger. But all it takes is one compromised one for your phone to be hacked and suddenly you are in trouble.
You are very wise to get your daughters external batteries. That way they can plug in their phones safely without worrying about juice jacking.
Thank you for the wonderful comment and shares, Harleena!
EXCELLENT article Carolyn. Will be be forwarding to friends and family.
Thanks!
Dan
Hi Dan, I’m very glad you found this article helpful. That’s great you are sharing it because the more people are aware of juice jacking, the more they will take steps to protect their data.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your kind comment, Dan.
Thank you Carolyn for this informative article especially on “juice jacking.” I would discourage charging in public mostly on using USB or else an habit of switching off the phones whenever charging in public. A wonderful sharing.