Guest Post by Eric Plam, chief revenue officer at SIMO.
Public USB ports, like those at airports, hotel lobbies, or transit stations, may look like a convenient lifesaver but they can be a backdoor into your phone. Hackers can modify the hardware behind these charging stations so that once you plug in, your device may silently authorize a data connection. This gives attackers a chance to install malware or steal sensitive information, ranging from photos and emails to login credentials or even remote control of your phone.
If your device is juice jacked, hackers might:
- Steal your personal and financial information.
- Access accounts tied to your email, banking apps, or social media.
- Install spyware that tracks your keystrokes or location.
What to do:
- Immediately disconnect your device from the suspicious port.
- Run a reputable antivirus or mobile security scan.
- Change passwords for critical accounts (banking, email, social).
- Watch financial statements closely for unusual activity.
- In severe cases, consider backing up your data and doing a full device reset.
Juice jacking is designed to be invisible and most of the time it will be difficult to detect that it’s happening. But red flags include:
- A sudden pop-up asking you to “share data,” “trust this computer,” or similar prompts when all you wanted to do was charge.
- Your phone behaves oddly afterward (slower performance, overheating, and faster battery drain).
- It’s most likely to occur in high-traffic public spots: airports, train stations, convention centers, or hotels. These places have lots of travelers in a hurry, which creates prime conditions for attackers to exploit.
What steps should people take to protect themselves from juice jacking?
If prompted, always choose “Charge Only” and decline “Share Data” or “Trust This Computer” when plugging in.”
Use a personal AC adapter and wall outlet. They only deliver power, not data.
Carry a portable power bank. This ensures safe charging without relying on public USB ports.
Invest in a power bank with built-in Wi-Fi, like SIMO’s Solis Go. It not only charges your device securely but also provides private, encrypted Wi-Fi in 135+ countries, removing the risks of both juice jacking and unsecured public Wi-Fi.
Use charge-only cables or USB data blockers—these physically block the data pins.
Keep software up to date—the latest iOS and Android updates have stronger protections, but not all devices are fully immune.