Imagine your phone dies, and you’re stuck without your charger. The first instinct?
Borrow someone’s or plug into a public charging station.
But cybersecurity experts warn this quick fix could seriously compromise your device.
Ethical hacker Ryan Montgomery recently took to Instagram to warn against using any charger for your phone.
Ryan Warns of Juice Jacking
“Never trust a cable that’s not yours,” Ryan cautioned on Instagram.
He explains that the danger lies in malicious techniques like ‘juice jacking’, a hacker trick where compromised USB ports or cables install malware on your device.
This sneaky software can steal passwords, lock your phone, or export sensitive data straight to the attacker, all while you’re just trying to charge up.
What To Do Instead?
It is recommended that you should bring a portable charger or invest in a USB data blocker.
This is a device that prevents unwanted data transfers while still powering your phone.
