The FBI has issued a warning against using public charging stations, like those in airports and hotels, to power up your mobile phone. A tweet from the agency warns that hackers can install malware that can infect our phones.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga wrote about the practice, known as “juice jacking,” for Level. He says the practice isn’t new but has become more widespread as public charging has proliferated.
Highlights from this segment:
– Juice jacking can occur when malware of monitoring software is injected into USB charging outlets or even cables provided at charging locations.
– Once software has infected your phone, it can even be transferred to other phones connected at the same charging station.
– The best defense against juice jacking is to carry your own charger and cable when you travel. Wireless public charging options are also safer than USB.
