Juice Jacking: FBI Warns Against Using Public USB Stations

Public USB ports are now available almost anywhere. One can plug his smartphone, tablet, or other electronic devices to charge his batteries. Although this may seem like a blessing to some, the FBI says it’s otherwise.

The FBI has just issued a warning to consumers telling them not to use free public charging stations since cybercriminals have managed to take control of them and infect devices with malware, which may allow hackers access to your phone, tablet, or computer.

“Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers[…]Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices,” the bureau stated in a tweet.

What is “Juice Jacking”?

A cyber-attack technique called “juice jacking” allows hackers to use public USB ports to infect victims’ devices with malware and monitoring software. Theoretically, these types of tools that may be set up in this manner enable hackers to gain access to the data on your smartphone and steal your passwords, allowing them to carry out activities like identity theft, money transfers from your bank account, or even just selling your information on the dark web.

Due to the rising popularity of public charging stations, which are now available in airports, shopping malls, and train stations, there is a higher chance of victims falling prey to cyberattacks of this kind. Users may not be able to recognize the risk since

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This article has been indexed from CySecurity News – Latest Information Security and Hacking Incidents