FBI Warns People About ‘Juice Jacking’ Public Charging Scam
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…
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 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.
5 Apps You Should Delete From Your Phone Now To Protect Your Privacy
Our everyday devices help us keep in contact with loved ones, they help us to work efficiently, and they are there in case of an emergency. However, certain apps can cause a breach in your privacy and take up much-needed gigabytes (not to mention battery power).
Certain apps running in the background are collecting unused data in the hopes of selling that data to larger companies. Double-check that these kinds of apps are no longer on your phone.
Here are some app types you can ditch to save you from data leaks and make room for more storage on your phone:
If you believe your information has been compromised, file a complaint at IC3. And listen to an interview with FBI Charlotte Divisoin Public Affairs Specialist Shelley Lynch where she talks about phone security here.
QR Code Apps
ShutterstockYou no longer need to have a specific app in order to use a QR code. With contactless options, a lot of restaurants and other service industry establishments have opted to use QR code menus instead of a physical menu option. But all you have to do is open your phone and use the camera app to capture the QR code.
Scanner Apps
ShutterstockDo you know the app that you use to jot down your grocery list? Well, it can scan too. With an iPhone, you are able to scan documents with just your pre-installed "Notes" app. In the "Notes" app, choose the camera icon and tap the "scan documents" feature. A camera-like window will appear for you to snap your documents quickly be emailed or saved onto your computer.
Flashlight Apps
ShutterstockAs you know, most smartphones come with a "flashlight" option for when you're in need of some extra light in a dark space (or an impromptu candlelight dinner) but that's not even the alarming reason as to why you don't need to keep this extra app on your phone. Cases show that the use of third-party flashlight apps can assist in data leaks. Per USA Today, "many of these apps request permission to track your location, and they could even be hiding malware." So, ditch this app and use the pre-installed one.
Pre-Installed Apps
ShutterstockPre-installed apps can take a ton of space on your phone without even realizing it. As IOS has advanced, pre-installed apps are able to be removed by the user without a second thought. Check your phone: when was the last time you used your "Measure" app?
Third-Party Screen Recorders
ShutterstockSaving your favorite TikTok on a shady third-party screen recorder is a thing of the past as you can easily screen record with the built-in screen recorder from Apple. By using third-party screen recording apps you are opening yourself up to potential data leaks by companies having access to exactly how you use your screen, even when you aren't using it. According to Check Point Research per ZDNet, screen recording apps have proven to be one of the types of apps that leak data that can expose your "email records, chat messages, location information, user IDs, passwords, and images."
