The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning against using public USB phone charging stations, saying they could spread malware and monitoring software. Public charging stations, including those found at malls and airports, can be attractive to users whose devices are running low on battery, but the FBI has advised people to carry their own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead.
The FBI’s Denver branch warned that public charging stations could be used by bad actors to spread malware and monitoring software, but it did not provide any specific examples. The USB cord used to charge a phone can also be used to send data from the phone to other devices. If a port is compromised, a hacker could potentially access a user’s email, text messages, photos, and contacts.
The risk of “juice jacking,” a term coined by security researchers in 2011 to describe the problem, has been raised by security experts for years. The FBI regularly provides reminders and public service announcements in conjunction with partners to keep the public safe and diligent, especially while traveling, according to Vikki Migoya, public affairs officer at the FBI’s Denver branch.
The Federal Communications Commission also warned in a blog post that a corrupted charging port can allow a malicious actor to lock a device or extract personal data and passwords. Criminals may have intentionally left cables plugged in at charging stations or even given away infected cables as promotional gifts, according to the post.
Using public charging stations for smartphones and other devices has long been a cause for concern among security experts. The FBI’s Denver branch warned consumers last week about the dangers of using public USB charging stations, saying they could spread malware and monitoring software. In response, the agency advised the public to carry their own chargers and use electrical outlets instead.
The cord used to charge phones is also used to transmit data from the device to other devices. Drew Paik, formerly of security firm Authentic8, explained that a compromised port could allow hackers to access emails, text messages, photos, and contacts, among other information.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also updated a blog post on Tuesday, stating that a corrupted charging port could enable malicious actors to lock a device or extract personal data and passwords.
While the FBI did not provide any specific examples, this is not the first time that the issue of public charging stations has been raised. In 2011, the term “juice jacking” was coined by researchers to describe the problem.
While public charging stations may be tempting when devices are running low on battery, security experts have been warning about the risks for years. As a result, it’s recommended that users avoid using public charging stations, especially when traveling. Instead, they should bring their own chargers and use electrical outlets when possible.
The FBI regularly provides reminders and public service announcements about staying safe and diligent, especially while traveling. In this case, the warning about public charging stations is just one of many measures that the agency is taking to help protect the public from cybercrime.
As technology continues to advance, the risk of cybercrime will only increase, making it all the more important for individuals to take steps to protect themselves and their devices.