In recent years, they have become increasingly widespread charging stations for smartphones. These tools, often available in train stations, airports, metro stops, and even in shops and shopping centers, can prove very useful for all users who find themselves with their cell phone out of power while I’m on the street. Their convenience, however, hides a negative implication which is important not to underestimate for the security of your smartphone.
The technology that supports the operation in fact, public charging stations hide a non-negligible danger. The alarm was raised in Coloradofrom theDenver FBI. But what are the risks that these charging stations could hide?
Danger for smartphone charging stations
The FBI in its public notice warns users not to use charging stations for their smartphones. According to what is reported, the charging systems are a risk of juice jacking. This is a practice used by hackers to be able to install monitoring software and malware on the smartphones of unsuspecting users. The software in question is very dangerous as it allows cybercriminals to carry out real attacks cyber attacks
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Also the Department of Homeland Security of the United States has warned citizens about the risks that lie behind the use of public charging stations for smartphones. Hackers succeed install malicious software inside the columns. In this way, when users use these systems to top up their cell phones, they unknowingly provide criminals with a access directed at their own personal informations. Cybercriminals gain access via the USB connection smartphone memory and download sensitive data such as password and number of credit card.
To be able to counteract this phenomenon particularly dangerous, the FBI advises against using public charging stations to charge your smartphone. It is best to always use secure connections and install antispyware software And antivirus that they are always updated so as to obtain initial protection against juice jacking attempts. If your smartphone runs out of battery in a public place it is better to rely on one power banks or a car adapterdecidedly safer charging systems.
