On April 6, the FBI Denver Twitter account tweeted some good advice (or maybe they didn’t — see the update under this post!)
The FBI advice not to use publicly available chargers or USB ports in airports, hotels or other public spaces is good advice that some of us have been practicing for years now. When I travel, I carry my own charger and USB cord.
What the FBI is describing below, “juice jacking,” has always been a risk, but the risk and infections are reportedly increasing, so if you have not been practicing good security hygiene already, begin now. Carry your own charger and cord if you think you may need to charge your device while you are out.
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
Update: So maybe this was not good advice. I had taken the advice years ago when it was first brought to public attention, but it seems that there has been no increase or evidence that this ever really became a thing. Will I still carry my own charger and cord, though? Yep.
See Slate for how this was blown out of proportion and isn’t a real threat.