FBI Issues Warning about Where You Charge Your Gear

Because of the risk of being hacked, the FBI advises people to avoid using the public USB charging stations found in locations such as airports, hotels, coffee shops, and shopping malls. These stations may be used by cybercriminals to infect devices with malware and obtain access to sensitive personal information. Take the following procedures to ensure the security of your electronic devices whether you are traveling or in a public setting:

- Bring along a portable charger for your phone, such as the FuelRods charging banks or the Belkin portable power bank, in order to extend the amount of time that your phone's battery will last.

- Carry your own AC adaptor with you to guarantee compatibility and to keep from having to use the charging stations found in public areas.

- When your device is charging, you should use a data blocker to avoid malware attacks.

- When requested after connecting your phone to a public charger, you should refuse to provide access to your phone.

- As a final option, you may charge your phone from your laptop by connecting it to your USB cord and doing so.

Always pay attention to the instructions that appear on the screen before connecting to a public USB connection, and wherever it's practical, always use your own chargers, cords, and power outlets. Maintain vigilance and an awareness of potential dangers in order to keep hackers from accessing your electronic devices and private information.