Hackers target public mobile charging stations to steal important data. (image/unsplash)

Public charging stations are often life-saving, especially when your phone is hanging on a thread with a low battery. We often use USB charging ports available in public without much thought, but according to cybersecurity experts, there might be a cause for concern before you plug your mobile device into one.

USB ports are found commonly in airports, railway stations, cafes, and hotels. They are used for charging devices and data transfer. Using this opportunity, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting public charging stations to steal users’ sensitive data.

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How do they steal data?

Juice jacking is a form of cyberattack where devices are compromised when plugged into an infected USB charging port. This involves either installing malware or copying sensitive data from a smart phone or any other device.

Cybersecurity experts warn that if a public USB charging station is not configured properly, cybercriminals can easily exploit it to steal data. Since most charging stations use USB ports, hackers can steal data or leave malware in devices.

When a device is plugged into a public USB port, a cybercriminal can infect the device by compromising the port, which gives them access to financial details, passwords, banking information, and other personal files. The theft of such crucial data can result in identity theft and significant financial loss.

They can also use USB ports to transfer and install malware or viruses, which can clone phone data and transfer it to the hacker’s device.

Although Android and iOS devices can fall prey to this scam, older generation phones are more vulnerable to such cyberattacks.

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How to protect yourself?

• First and foremost, avoid using public charging stations and portable wall chargers. Instead, use an electrical wall outlet for charging your devices.
• Carry your own personal charging cables.
• Use software security measures to lock your phone so it cannot be paired with a connected device.
• Keep your smartphone and mobile applications updated.
• Disable Bluetooth by default when charging.
• Install antivirus apps that can help alert you to potential attacks on your smart devices, such as phones, laptops, and more.
• Update USB drivers. Restrict software installation on your device with a strong password.