The government has issued a cautionary advisory to the public regarding the utilization of phone charging stations in various public venues like airports, cafes, hotels, and bus stands.
The advisory is aimed at raising awareness about the potential risks associated with what is commonly referred to as the “USB charger scam”.
Here’s a breakdown of the situation:
The risk: Threat actors are known to exploit USB charging ports installed in public locations such as airports, cafes, hotels, and bus stands for nefarious purposes.
Juice-jacking: This term describes a cyber attack method wherein malicious actors compromise public USB charging stations to either steal user data or implant malware onto connected devices.
When individuals unknowingly connect their devices to these compromised charging ports, cyber criminals can intercept data or introduce malware onto the connected device. This can lead to various consequences including theft of personal information, installation of malware or ransomware, and even device encryption with ransom demands.
Tips for safeguarding yourself:
Opt for electrical wall outlets whenever possible, or carry your own charging cables or power banks.
Secure or lock your device and avoid pairing it with unknown or unfamiliar devices.
Consider charging your phone while it’s powered off to mitigate risks.
In the event of cyber fraud, promptly report incidents through the official website www.cybercrime.gov.in or by dialing 1930.
Read More :
