FBI Warning Against "Juice Jacking"

The basic of it, which you already know, is that public USB charging stations are vulnerable to hackers.
They can introduce malware through public access USB charging stations, and public WiFI.

@FBIDenver Twitter Link to this Warning

No way I am linking to their .gov site. Also, LOL FBI Denver. Like the airport. Trust them like CGB Spender.
Always carry your own portable charger, or AC outlet and "charging only" cable with additional "data blocker" devices (so the totally neither megalomanic nor paranoid technocracy) cannot spy on you. They can via the tech around you, but not *your device, haha.

The FCC reiterates this warning.

If your devices are running low, be aware that juicing up at a free USB port charger in airports, hotels, coffee shops, etcetera can and will have unfortunate consequences.

Personally, this means the protection protocols are futile, and their A.I. can extrapolate thought-crimes.
"Whatever. Only God will Judge me."

a reply to: BeNotAfraid

I doubt they need a physical cable to do any of that stuff.

a reply to: BeNotAfraid

So best option would be carry a smallish power pack with you and charge the power pack at the public station, then charge your device from the power pack.

Having a small back up battery on hand for extended outings make sense, anyway. I usually do.

Do these "data blocker" devices really work, or are they just something being sold to take our money?

originally posted by: incoserv
a reply to: BeNotAfraid

So best option would be carry a smallish power pack with you and charge the power pack at the public station, then charge your device from the power pack.

Having a small back up battery on hand for extended outings make sense, anyway. I usually do.

Yep I have been using a solar charging/outlet charging battery pack that is smaller than my phone for 5 years of hiking and camping use.

Another secure option: there are USB cables that don't have the data lead, only power for charging. Just search " usb charging cable no data, or such.

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
Do these "data blocker" devices really work, or are they just something being sold to take our money?

It's only a matter of using just the power wires and not using the data wires.

a reply to: IndieA

Thanks, appreciate the clarification.


Like many, I never think about it doing anything but charging the battery.
Really though...if you are charging your phone or kindle via a wall plug...is it possible for data to be corrupted?

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
a reply to: IndieA

Thanks, appreciate the clarification.

Like many, I never think about it doing anything but charging the battery.
Really though...if you are charging your phone or kindle via a wall plug...is it possible for data to be corrupted?

Not with any technology that I'm aware of, so charging off of an outlet is the simple way to protect your data, but a recharging block that doesn't pass the data would be considered an additional security layer.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

In short, yes, money grab.

It's way easier than that DTOM.

You can buy a USB charging cable that doesn't even have the data connections "connected", but only the charging connections.

So, it will only charge and is incapable of transceiving data.

You will usually see a tag that says "charge cable only" or "not for data transfer" on the cable.

Hope this helps!

Well with phones you can tick battery charging only, not data transfer. Or can hackers get around that easy?

Soon when phones are sentient they'll be able to defend themselves.
"Hey PITT, I've just plugged you into the hotel socket to charge, be careful of hackers alright?"
"Ok Michael."

All the more reason to rely less on Chinese made personal gadgetry.
I admit it, I have a cell phone. I use a transformer and an edison plug though. Never did plug directly into USBs...
I still ain't buyin' their special charge cables for this tom foolery.