The US Federal Police advises travelers not to use the USB ports of free charging stations
Almost all major airports have free mobile phone charging stations. however, the FBI it asks travelers to stop using this convenience, also present in hotels and shopping malls, because “malicious people have discovered ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring programs into devices”. The recommendation is to bring your own cord and source to charge using an electrical outlet.
The statement was shared by the office of denver of the Federal Police WE on April 6, via Twitter, and since then widely reported in the media. But the recommendation is far from new: the scam known for years as juice withdrawal aims to get victim’s private information, passwords and access to bank accounts. Criminals manage to do this by “infecting” the USB port or even switching the original port to an already “infected” one.
Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centres. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to sneak malware and tracking software onto devices. Bring your own charger and USB cable and use an electrical outlet instead. pic.twitter.com/9T62SYen9T
— FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) April 6, 2023
OR juice withdrawal it is possible because, unlike electrical sockets, USB inputs act not only as transmitters of energy but also of data. Therefore, it is important to connect your phone only to trusted sources. Some devices have security systems that, when connected to such an input, ask if the user wants to release access to data or just recharge the battery. If your mobile does this, always choose the second option.
It is more guaranteed to take the very source for charging the mobile in an ordinary electrical outlet – there are options that are compatible with iPhone and Samsung. If you’re traveling internationally, you may also need a universal plug adapter – some have more than one socket so you can charge multiple devices at the same time. Even more practical is to invest in a portable charger for mobile phones, such as those from Xiaomi and Geonav.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
