Hackers are waiting for this. Are you charging your smartphone like this? Beware of “juice jacking”

The “Juice jacking” method involves attacking electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets and laptops, using publicly available USB ports. Such chargers are available in hotels, public transport, bus stops, airports and shopping malls.

‘Juice Jacking’: Public USB Chargers May Be Dangerous

Public USB ports can be used by hackers to steal data from a device, including phone numbers, addresses, names, and card details. Ben Van Pelt of TorGuard warns that the risk should not be underestimated. “Hotels are often a prime target for cybercriminals due to the constant flow of guests with sensitive data, and USB ports are not the only source of risk,” he told the daily “”.

The cybersecurity expert explained that by plugging a phone into a public USB port, hackers can install malware on the device. It’s hard to tell at first glance whether a port is safe, but Ben Van Pelt pointed out some clues. “If the charging port looks damaged, tampered with, or misaligned, don’t use it,” he said. On the other hand, if the device behaves unusually while charging, such as unexpectedly installing an app or running slower than usual, it may have been infected.

“Juice jacking” – how to avoid hacker attacks?

Juice jacking attacks are not common (compared to phishing or spoofing), but it is worth avoiding publicly available USB chargers and carrying a power bank with you. However, if you have no choice and need to charge your smartphone, it is worth remembering not to allow data transfer activation when using public USB chargers, use two-step user verification and biometric functions to log in, and always update your device’s software to the latest version.