Our mobile devices are our allies because we use them to work, travel, make payments, etc. Since we use them for almost everything, the battery runs out, often at the most inopportune times, leaving us in a desperate situation. So finding a public USB port to charge our phone may seem like a salvation. But, Using public USBs has its risks. Here we tell you what they are.
Risks of using public USB ports
Plugging your device into a public USB port can expose it to several security risks. One of them is that it can be infected by malware. An experiment conducted by Kaspersky in 2014 and reviewed in recent years showed that connecting a phone to a USB port can allow the transfer of sensitive information from the device to the port, regardless of whether the operating system is iOS or Android. This process, known as a “handshake,” can be exploited by hackers to obtain personal data, system information, and phone components.
Additionally, security experts, such as those at Group AIG and Authentic8, have warned that compromised USB ports can allow hackers to access an unlimited amount of information of the connected device. Stolen data may include emails, photos, messages and contacts.
Safety recommendations
To minimize the risks of using public USB ports, what experts recommend is to use, of course, only trusted USB ports, but they also advise protect your mobile device with a password and avoid unlocking it while connected to a public USB port. All of this can reduce vulnerability. Additionally, it is advisable to use encryption technologies to protect data and keep the device free of malware.
Another option is to carry an external battery. These batteries provide the necessary charge without the risks associated with public USB ports. In emergency situations where there is no other option than to use a public USB port, what experts advise is use a USB cable that only allows charging and not transferring of data.
Using USB ports in rental cars also has its risks. The United States Federal Trade Commission (FCC) recommends avoiding use of USB ports in rental cars because there is a possibility that the car system may retain device data, such as the phone number. To avoid taking risks, what you have to do is erase all data from car system at the end of use and pay attention to the permissions granted when connecting the device.