In my post of March 5, 2019 (Laptop Surge Protection), I explained that all laptop owners need a surge protector. Additionally, I recommended one for you. (I still recommend that protector and there’s a link to purchase below.)
Today, I’m adding a “must have” for anyone who ever uses a public USB charging station to charge their smartphones and/or tablets. (These types of convenient stations are found in airports, malls, amusement parks and other places where large numbers of people are usually found.) It’s called a USB defender. “Why would I need one of these devices?” I hear you ask. Great question!
Those pesky hackers aka bad guys, are breaking into public USB charging stations and adding malware so that when you plug in to charge up your electronics, you get more than you were expecting. Sometimes, the malicious software isn’t in the station itself but will be in charging cords “accidentally” left at the station or in one of those charging blocks also left behind. Hackers are hoping you’ll use their left-over cords and blocks because it’s more convenient than digging for your own.
How can hackers infect your smartphone or tablet this way? Pretty easy, actually. When you plug your device into a USB, both power and data are transferred through the cord. Ever plug your phone into a USB-equipped car and have your music start to play? That’s the transfer of data from your smartphone. FYI: the technical term for this procedure is “juice jacking.”
So, if you ever use a public USB charging station, you need one of these:
What you’re seeing is a special device that allows electricity to flow throw a charging cord but completely blocks any data. Even if you use a public USB charging station which has been compromised, as long as this device is between the station and your smartphone or tablet, no data will get through. (Be sure you use your own charging cord.) How do you get one of these devices? Just click on the picture and you can purchase from our Store.
As I promised above, here’s the link for the surge protector – in case you haven’t already purchased one:
