With the ever-increasing risks in the world of cybersecurity, there’s a newer term to add to our IT security vocabulary – “Juice Jacking”. Actually this cyberhack was originally labeled back in 2011 and has been in the news again more recently. Juice jacking is when bad actors use public USB chargers to infect phones with malware. The warning notes users should not use public chargers at malls, hotels, or airports – instead, stick to using your own USB cables and charging plugs (using an electrical outlet). Below are links to some of the recent articles and warnings AND, of course, steps you can take to protect yourself and your data.
- FBI Warnings/Recommendations
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety/on-the-internet
(2nd bullet under Protect Your Connections) - CNBC article
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/10/fbi-says-you-shouldnt-use-public-phone-charging-stations.html - Norton Security Alert
https://us.norton.com/blog/mobile/what-is-juice-jacking# - Example USB Data Blocker (Amazon)
https://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-3rd-Data-Blocker-Pack/dp/B00T0DW3F8/ref=asc_df_B00T0DW3F8/
Steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Use your own USB cable and charging block in electrical outlets.
- Have your own external battery to charge devices.
- Use a USB pass-through filter device that disables the data pin on the USB connection.
Thanks to our friends at the Community Health Center Association of Mississippi, the HCCN, Mississippi Health Safe Net, and the Georgia Primary Care Association for sharing this information with us.
