Hey Guys,
The FBI recently issued a warning against using free charging stations in public places, such as airports, hotels, and shopping centres. Bad actors can use public USB ports to install malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carrying your own charger and USB cord and using an electrical outlet to avoid these risks is recommended. Or use a condom.
The USB Condom.
One way to add an extra layer of protection against these risks is to use a USB condom. A USB condom is a small device that sits between a USB port and a USB cable, protecting your device from any malicious attacks that could occur while charging. They work by blocking data transfer, only allowing the flow of power through to the device. This prevents any potential malware or viruses from being installed onto your device.
To use a USB condom, plug it into a USB port and then plug your device’s charging cable into the other end of the condom. The condom will only allow the charging of the device, preventing any data transfer from occurring.
USB condoms are an affordable and easy way to protect your personal data from being compromised while charging your device in public places. They can be purchased online through various retailers. Have a look at this one HERE. It’s important to note that we do not make any commission from providing these links, but rather, we want to ensure the safety and security of our readers.
Remember, while using a public charging station is always convenient, the risk of compromising your personal data is not worth it. Take steps to protect yourself by carrying your own charger and USB cord or investing in a USB condom.
Note: While USB condoms are useful to protect against malware, they are not foolproof. There is still a possibility that the attacker may be able to bypass the USB condom’s security measures. In addition, USB condoms only protect against attacks through charging cables, so other methods of attack, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, are not protected.
As always, contact our privacy care team if you need any advice about anything security or privacy related. You can contact their privacy care experts using the inner contact options in incognito.
All the best,
Max