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FBI Warns People About ‘Juice Jacking’ Public Charging Scam

Author Kayla Morgan

If you travel to the airport or make stops at shopping centers or stay at hotels with your cellphone or portable device, then at some point you probably needed a recharge. You may have left your charger block and USB at home forcing you to use a public charging station. You could unknowingly be connecting your phone to bad stuff through the USB. The FBI is warning you to not use charging stations in public places.  Officials

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. pic.twitter.com/9T62SYen9T

— FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) April 6, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said that “Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices.”

Public Charging Station

Malware installed through a corrupted USB port can lock a device or export personal data and passwords directly to the perpetrator. Criminals can then use that information to access online accounts or sell it, according to experts.

In addition to the FBI’s warning, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also warned about “juice jacking.” That is another name for the malware-loading scam. “In some cases, criminals may have intentionally left cables plugged in at charging stations,” said the FCC. “There have even been reports of infected cables being given away as promotional gifts.”

“If your battery is running low, be aware that juicing up your electronic device at free USB port charging stations, such as those found near airport gates, in hotels and other travel-friendly locations, could have unfortunate consequences,” the FCC said. “You could become a victim of ‘juice jacking,’ a new cyber-theft tactic.”

It is suggested that you carry your own charger and USB cord and plug them into an electrical outlet instead. They also advise that you avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels, or shopping centers.

Similar guidance is listed on the FBI website on how to avoid public chargers. Also, protect your systems and data.

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

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Author Kayla Morgan
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