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FBI begs Americans to stop plugging their gadgets into USB ports of unknown provenance [1]

['Rob Beschizza']

Date: 2023-04-11

"Ooo, a public recharging station!" you think, your phone's battery life indicated by a slim red line. Let it die, says the FBI: that USB port might be a digital honeytrap, hoping to infect your gadgets with malware. Instead, use the mains.

"Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. 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."

Juice jacking, as it's known. The FCC warned of it years ago. I'd like to see some numbers on this, though–even just some anecdotes. It has a vague scent of Halloween "drugs 'n' razors" cop talk about it.

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[1] Url: https://boingboing.net/2023/04/11/fbi-begs-americans-to-stop-plugging-their-gadgets-into-usb-ports-of-unknown-provenance.html

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