ALABAMA (WHNT) — The Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Communications Commission are reminding airport travelers to be mindful of where they plug their phones in as well as what WiFi they are using while in an airport.
The TSA took to social media to remind travelers that in this technology age, cybersecurity has never been more important. The FCC calls it “juice jacking.”
“Hackers can install malware at USB ports (we’ve been told that’s called ‘juice/port jacking’). So, when you’re at an airport, do not plug your phone directly into a USB port. Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there,” TSA said.
“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 to other bad actors,” the FCC said.
Some FCC tips to avoid “juice jacking” include:
- Using AC power outlets can help you avoid any potential risks, so be sure to pack AC, car chargers, and your own USB cables with you when traveling.
- Carry an 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 “trust this computer,” or “charge only,” always select “charge only.”
In addition to this, never make online purchases while on free airport WiFi. “Do not ever enter any sensitive info while using unsecure WiFi,” the TSA said.
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