WICHITA, Kansas (KWCH) – There are many things we can worry about when we travel. When we’re at the airport, there’s always the worry of losing an ID or luggage. Sometimes we worry about missing a flight or our phone dying.
Recent warnings from the FBI, TSA, FCC and other government agencies may not be such a cause for concern.
Every year, warnings are issued about the risks of using free phone charging stations at airports. People are warned against using them because hackers have found ways to use them to steal data and lock any connected devices.
What is the real story? Are they dangerous?
The name of this scary tactic is “juice jacking.” It’s true that hackers have demonstrated how charging stations can be used to tamper with devices, but the chance that a hacker could access one of the airport’s charging stations to do this is pretty slim. Here’s what you need to know about the risk:
In theory, it’s possible. USB cables charge devices and allow data to be transferred to and from smartphones, tablets, and computers. Connect a phone to a computer using a USB cable, and you can transfer any files and install software.
But phone makers (Apple, Google, Samsung, and others) have increased security in the latest models. When you connect a smartphone to a charger or computer that it doesn’t recognize, a pop-up warning appears asking if you trust the computer. You’ve probably seen this before when you connect your phone to a computer that it’s never connected to before.
On an iPhone, you’ll need to not only tap “Trust This Computer” but also enter your passcode.
If you don’t see a warning when you connect your phone to a charger, no data is being transferred. You can also buy cables that prevent data and files from being transferred.
The warnings come every peak season and first appeared at least 10 years ago. There are no confirmed incidents of an airport charging station being used to “discharge” another person’s device.
It’s a kind of urban legend. Possible, but unlikely.
The bigger risk of using the charging stations is that someone might steal your phone when you’re looking away.
If you are concerned about juice jacking, you can take these simple precautions:
● Use your own charger: The safest option is to bring your own charging block and cable with you. This eliminates all risks when transferring data.
● Portable chargers: Consider purchasing a portable charger. These devices allow you to conveniently charge your phone without having to rely on public charging stations.
● Be careful with unknown devices: If you must use a public charging station, be cautious of unknown or suspicious-looking devices.
While the danger of juice jacking can be real (or somewhat real), it’s important to keep the risk in perspective. With a few simple precautions, you can safely charge your phone while traveling without falling victim to cybercriminals.
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