SMARTPHONE owners have been urged to buy a cheap gadget that can block hackers from sneakily accessing their devices on-the-go.
Catching the travel bug is typically a bit costly – but it shouldn’t raid your entire bank account.
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Travellers are told to be careful of a raft of different cyberattacks that can happen to them during their summer holidays, such as ‘shoulder surfing’ and connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
Speaking to The Sun, founder of cybersecurity company TorGuard, Ben Van Pelt, warned of a common cyberattack targeting USB ports – called ‘juice jacking’.
‘Juice jacking’ is when innocent iPhone or Android owners charge their devices through a USB port that has been tampered with.
Dodgy USB ports can be used to wire malware directly into a person’s phone, which in turn can be used to steal someone’s data – including their bank details.
People are risk in any public space, such as airports, train stations, pubs and even hotels.
But there’s a thumb-sized gadget that can stop hackers from accessing your device via a USB – and block them from bank-raiding attacks.
It’s a USB data blocker, and they can be found for about £5 on Amazon.
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“A USB data blocker is a small device that prevents data transfer when inserted into a USB port, while still allowing power to flow,” Van Pelt said.
“Not everyone needs a USB data blocker,” he continued.
“But if you frequently use public USB ports and handle sensitive information, I’d say you should get a data blocker for an additional layer of protection.”
USB data blockers are designed to block the pins used for data transfer – but leave the others working.
So they allow power to be transferred but completely block any data, including potential malware.
It’s just one of Van Pelt’s three tips to avoid ‘juice jacking’.
It might be tempting to ditch your travel adaptors and rely solely on a hotel’s USB ports.
Or, if you’re desperate for charge, you may even overlook the risks of using a USB port in an airport or train station.
But Van Pelt has urged against it, unless you have a USB data blocker.
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Three tips to avoid ‘juice jacking’
‘Juice jacking’ is when hackers sneakily install malware onto smartphones and PCs while their batteries are charging.
This can be done through a dodgy cable, or an USB port that’s been tampered with.
Smartphone owners are warned against using USB cables and charge points in places like airports, translations, hotels, pubs and restaurants.
Founder of cybersecurity firm TorGuard, Ben Van Pelt, told The Sun that consumers can keep themselves safe from ‘juice jacking’ with these three tips:
- Pack a power bank or USB data blocker for on-the-go charging.
- Check the USB charging port for any marks, scratches, ill-placement and looks properly secured to the wall.
- Use a USB data blocker.
All prices were correct at the time of writing.
It’s advised you always do your own research before making any purchases.
