Happy Friday!
Not sure if you've heard, but there are massive delays at the passport office and airlines are having more problems now than ever.
And of course, no App, no travel. You've gotta have the United App, Expedia App, Hawaiian Airlines App and so on before the plane gets off the ground. Not to mention, many new planes no longer have entertainment screens on the back of seats - you've got to bring your own phone or tablet or (heaven forbid) do things the old fashion way - read a book! (my favorite)
So, it should come at no surprise that public USB charging stations such as those found in airports and hotel lobbies, have now become an alluring honeypot for bad actors. In an advisory released this week, the FCC warn unsuspecting travelers that using these pubic charging stations could have dire consequences.
Mind you, these advisories don't come out of nowhere but from a flood of juice jacking victim reports. Cyber criminals are targeting travelers by loading malware onto public USB charging stations that can access your device while its being charged. Malware installed through a corrupted USB port can lock your device and steal personal data (such as passwords). Criminals then use it to access your online accounts or sell it on the Dark web, not to mention stop you from using your e-ticket to board your next flight.
The Takeaway
The FCC offers the following tips to keep you from becoming a victim of juice jacking:
▪ Avoid using a public USB charging station. Use an AC power outlet instead.
▪ Bring AC, car chargers, and your own USB cables with you when traveling.
▪ Carry a portable charger or external battery.
▪ Consider carrying a charging-only cable, which prevents data from sending or receiving while charging, from a trusted supplier.
▪ If you plug your device into a USB port and a prompt appears asking you to select "share data" or “charge only,” always select “charge only.”
Traveling is stressful enough as it is - don't get hacked off-island!
Stay safe out there,
-A