FBI Warning asks Consumers to Stop Using Public Charging Stations

Before your next flight, road trip, or even your next visit to the mall – make sure your phone is charged. The FBI has released a warning urging consumers to stop using public charging stations. You guessed it – bad actors are hijacking public chargers and making it so that they can infect your device with malware.  They have also figured out how use these charging stations to gain access to your devices such as a phone, tablet or computer.

“Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers,” the FBI Denver Field Office warned in a tweet. “Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead.”

The FBI is also offering similar guidance on its website.

The technique of infecting malware onto unsuspecting devices in this manner is known as “Juice Jacking”, and it’s been a known issue since 2021. The Federal Communications Commission has also warned consumers about this security attack.

According to the FCC, devices connected to compromised USB cables can be hijacked through software that can steal usernames and passwords.

Story via NBC News