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Juice Jacking

A 101 Guide

When did Juice Jacking come into the World?

The world was first introduced to juice jacking in 2011 when a demonstration at the hacking and cybersecurity conference DEF CON showed that it was possible. Brian Markus, co-founder of Aries Security, and another researcher named Robert Rowley, saw that USB charging was a potential vulnerability and built a charging station to prove it. They put the kiosk out on the floor and waited to see who would be lured in by its promises of a free and easy battery charge. More than 360 people, many of them experienced hackers and cybersecurity professionals, plugged their dying phones in without thinking twice. When they did, they were greeted with a notice on the kiosk’s screen warning them not to trust random public charging stations.

“If I can make it happen, and I can dupe hundreds and hundreds of the top professionals around the world into using it, then I think the average citizen around the block is going to fall for it,” Markus said in an interview with Vox.

Peyto Lake

What is Juice Jacking?

Planning to travel? No doubt you'll have your cell phone or another portable device, and you'll need to re-charge it at some point. If your battery is running low, be aware that juicing up your electronic device at free USB port charging stations, such as those found in airports and hotel lobbies, might have unfortunate consequences. You could become a victim of "juice jacking," yet another cyber-theft tactic. Cybersecurity experts warn that hackers can load malware onto public USB charging stations to maliciously access electronic devices while they are being charged. Malware installed through a corrupted USB port can lock a device or export personal data and passwords directly to the perpetrator. Criminals can then use that information to access online accounts or sell it to other hackers.

Peyto Lake

Prevent Juice Jacking Attacks

  1. Using AC power outlets can help you avoid any potential risks, so be sure to pack AC, car chargers, and your own USB cables with you when traveling.
  2. Carry an external battery or battery pack.
  3. Consider carrying a charging-only cable, which prevents data from sending or receiving while charging, from a trusted supplier.
  4. If you plug your device into a USB port and a prompt appears asking you to select "share data" or “trust this computer” or “charge only,” always select “charge only.”
Peyto Lake