Why You Should Never Use Airport USB Charging Stations

Forbes ^ | May 21, 2019 | Suzanne Rowan Kelleher

[Mean Daddy]

Those oh-so-handy USB power charging stations in the airport may come with a cost you can’t see. Cybercriminals can modify those USB connections to install malware on your phone or download data without your knowledge.

“Plugging into a public USB port is kind of like finding a toothbrush on the side of the road and deciding to stick it in your mouth. You have no idea where that thing has been,” says Caleb Barlow, Vice President of X-Force Threat Intelligence at IBM Security. “And remember that that USB port can pass data.”

[Mean Daddy]

With all the upcoming travel, I thought I would share. You can purchase "power only" USBs on Amazon, eBay etc. where it will allow you to use an airport or other charging facility without allowing the passing of data.

https://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-3rd-Data-Blocker-Pack/dp/B00T0DW3F8/ref=asc_df_B00T0DW3F8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309773039951&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11935984035339536212&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018334&hvtargid=pla-490993755272&psc=1

[BobL]

I was going to say the same. Several wires from USB connectors are only for power...the others are data. Don’t include the data wires, no data will move.

[posterchild]

Similarly I don’t use rental car USB ports. I use ‘protection’ in the form of my own ‘cigarette lighter’ USB converter. (Is ‘cigarette lighter’ now a dated term or is it still used?)

[Mean Daddy]

Here’s another one.

https://www.amazon.com/Juice-Jack-Defender-Security-purchased-employees/dp/B00XYTI5BA

[Wuli]

They have devices that do that for you (they connect between your USB cord and the charging outlet), and they cost less than $15. Why try to do it yourself?

[GOPJ]

Plugging into a public USB port is kind of like finding a toothbrush on the side of the road and deciding to stick it in your mouth.

ping

[Howie66]

It’s has come to the point where I am more likely to go to Walmart that to go to the airport. There seems to be a better class of people at Walmart, too.

LOL

[OSHA]

Now called “power port”

[drop 50 and fire for effect]

I’m old school, I plug into power outlets and pack a powerstrip in my carry-on bag, No data issues.

[McGruff]

Just use an electrical outlet. Problem solved.

[Wayne07]

Typically referred to as an accessory socket, or auxiliary outlet these days.

[NewJerseyJoe]

Inside the end of your USB cable, you'll see four connectors. The two middle ones are data. Carefully position a tiny piece of Scotch tape over those middle two, and -- voila! A power-only USB cable.

Been doing this for years, so I can power up my phone at work without it being "recognized" by the office computer.

[Batman11]

PFL

[gibsonguy]

Would they have to remove the plate and install a “man in the middle” device? No notices someone tampering with the plate at an airport?

[BobL]

“They have devices that do that for you (they connect between your USB cord and the charging outlet), and they cost less than $15. Why try to do it yourself?”

Agree, no reason to. I’ve messed with those tiny wires in the past, no thanks. I was just explaining how it works, so it wouldn’t be black magic to people.

[Mean Daddy]

???

[SkyDancer]

I carry a ten hour rechargeable battery pack the size of a pack of Kleenex - will recharge my cellphone or a battery backup for my laptop on long flights; when it needs recharging I just use whatever power source is available.

[Mean Daddy]

Thanks everyone for the ideas and suggestions. The post was intended to be a PSA that if you’re going to use the airport USBs, get a device that’ll block data or use other means, plug, spare battery etc.

[palmer]

Ping For Later

[airdalechief]

You can buy these chargers just about anywhere... Best Buy, WalMart, Big Lots and so on. No need ordering them. I have one, bought from Big Lots, I use when traveling.