Juice Jacking: Phone Charging

Juice Jacking: The Phone Charger That Steals Info

Beware of a new fraudulent activity, the Juice Jacking, which is nothing but a phone charger that steals info. Your private data. How does that happen? In this article, we'll explain how the Juice Jacking USB scam works and what you can do about it. Let's dive in.

How fast does your smartphone battery die? Most likely, very quickly. Chances are, there are times when you are left in the middle of the day without the use of your cell phone. Well, scammers found a way to take advantage of that.

---

Scam Detectors Most Trusted Websites in Online Security

1. Guard.io (100): Surf the web safely. Clean up your browser, remove maliscious extensions and check for privacy violations.
2. Incogni.com (100): Delete your personal data from the internet and protect against scams and identity theft.
3. ExpressVPN (100) Stay secure and anonymous online - Best VPN Out There

---

The phone charger that steals info is a new invention that cybercrooks came up with, simply because it is one of the most common phone scams that works perfectly. Wanna see how?

Watch the video below to see the Juice Jacking scam exposed:

How The Jacking Works Video

Juice Jacking can happen when you plug your USB charger into a public charging station, similar to the ones you see in malls, airports, or hotels. The moment you sync your phone in a public charger is when the Juice Jacking USB scam occurs.

That's because the cable you use to charge your smartphone also transmits your data. It's a standard feature across all smartphones. It could be done as simple as an invasion of privacy: a phone charger that steals info, easy and effective.

In this particular case, your phone pairs with a computer or device concealed within the charging kiosk, and your personal information — such as private photos or contacts — are transferred to the malicious device. The attack could also occur as an injection of malicious code directly into your device. That's more likely to happen.

Juice Jacking USB Scam: How To Avoid

Always try to charge your phone from a wall outlet. Keep your smartphone fully charged and avoid third party charging stations altogether. Carry a personal charger with you at all times.

The Juice Jacking scam became so common nowadays that it was even featured in one of the CSI: Cyber episodes. Watch the video below to see the part of the movie featuring the scam.

CSI: Cyber – Juice Jacking Video

 

Juice Jacking: How To Report a Scammer

Make your family and friends aware of the Juice Jacking USB scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:

Report To The FTC Here

How To Protect Yourself More

If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You'll receive periodic emails – we promise not to spam. Meanwhile, educate yourself with some other fraud articles (not necessarily related to a phone charger that steals info) right under this paragraph, so that you can protect yourself in many other aspects and niches. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.

Here are some must-reads for the end:

If You Find A USB Stick DO NOT Use It: Beware of the Rubber Ducky Attack

WhatsApp Charging Scam