Due to the constant effort to make smartphones thinner, manufacturers are unable to significantly increase the capacity of the devices’ batteries. To solve this problem, USB charging ports have been installed in public places. While they may seem like a blessing, they also carry a hidden threat. Speaking recently to CNN, Drew Paik, a consultant with the company Authentic8, explained how simply plugging your smartphone into a USB or charging port can infect your device with malware. Such USB charging cables can be easily found in places like airports, parks, conference centers, waiting rooms, etc.
Juice Jacking is a hidden danger!
The danger of Juice Jacking, a term that originated in 2011. Wondering how it works? Well, it doesn't matter what kind of smartphone you use—it transfers power and data through the same cable. This feature allows a hacker to create a simple exploit and inject malware into the device, gaining access to the USB port illegally.
Technically, the attack vector is the device's USB port, and the exposure factor is based on user awareness and battery life.
To highlight this threat and educate attendees, security researchers created charging kiosks at DefCon 2011. When no device was plugged in, the LCD screen mounted on the charging station displayed “Free Cell Phone Charging Kiosk.” However, when a device was plugged in, a warning message appeared.
But how can we safely charge a device when we are in a public place?
You can carry a power bank or extra batteries with you. This is the safest and most convenient solution. The safe route is to charge your device using the provided charger that plugs into a regular electrical outlet. Finding an electrical outlet is very easy these days.
If you have no other choice, you can turn off the device first and then plug it in. Research has shown that turning on the device does not expose your data.
