Travel experts at Wild Packs American Summer Camp are warning flyers that charging their phones at the airport can lead to their personal and banking information being stolen.
The FBI previously put out a warning that cybercriminals have “figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware” into your phone, which can compromise your data. Concerningly, 40% of mobile users are already running their devices with known vulnerabilities, making them more likely to be victims.
Jamie Fraser, travel expert at Wild Packs American Summer Camp, has explained exactly why you should avoid charging your phone at kiosks and what protective measures you should take:
“It might seem harmless to plug your phone into a public USB port while waiting for a flight, but doing so could put your data at serious risk. Authorities like the FBI have previously warned travellers not to use these charging points in public places such as airports, hotels, and shopping centres – and there are three serious reasons why.”
- Hidden Malware Threats: “Public USB ports can be compromised by cybercriminals to install harmful software onto your phone without your knowledge. This malware can then secretly steal sensitive information, including your passwords, banking details, and personal files. You wouldn’t know it’s happening until it’s too late.”
- ‘Juice Jacking’: “So-called ‘juice jacking’ involves tampering with charging stations so that, when you plug in your device, malware is installed. This tricks your phone into trusting the connection, giving criminals access to your private data. Once your phone is infected, it remains at risk even after you leave the airport.”
- Data Leaks: “Even if the charging point hasn’t been altered, there’s still a chance that your phone could share data unintentionally. Some public charging stations can transfer both power and data, and your phone might not properly distinguish between the two. This opens the door to potential data interception, with stolen information being used for identity fraud.”
5 Ways to Safely Charge Your Phone at the Airport
- Bring a Portable Charger: “To stay safe and avoid using public charging points, carry a power bank in your hand luggage. These gadgets can keep your phone charged throughout your journey, so you’re not left risking your device on unfamiliar charging stations.”
- Use Only Wall Sockets: “If you need to charge at the airport, use a regular wall outlet and your own charger rather than plugging directly into a public USB port. USB ports can be tampered with more easily and may pose a greater security risk.”
- Use a USB Data Blocker: “A USB data blocker is a small gadget that attaches to your charging cable and stops any data from being transferred, only power gets through. It’s a simple way to protect your phone if you have no choice but to use a public USB port.”
- Turn Off Your Phone Before Charging: “Switching your phone off before plugging it into a public USB port won’t eliminate the risk completely, but it can lower the chance of malware being installed in some situations.”
- Disable Data Transfer: “If you’re charging in a public place, make sure to turn off data transfer on your device. This ensures the cable is only used for charging, not for sharing any personal information.”
